The Fifth Islamic Arts Forum kicked off Sunday night at the Grand Mosque showcasing an array of works and products attesting to the fine caliber and beauty of Islamic arts , inaugurated by Awqaf Undersecretary Dr. Adel Al-Falah.
The official said this event is an opportunity to shed light on many fine artistic works and artisans' products, whether they be textiles, pottery, ceramics, calligraphy or other. The ministry aims to stress the beauty embraced in Islamic culture and share it with people of other cultures and faiths.
The event is sponsored by Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Mohammad Al-Nomas. It is set to last till January 7.
"Our calligraphers, artists, and artisans would help promote awareness of our great Islamic heritage through their fine works, and this is an opportunity for them to do the Muslim nation great service," he said. He added, "this comes within the general understanding that the framework of the ministry's duties includes educational, cultural, and social aspects." The official also expressed his belief there is a great need to put more care into introduction of Islamic arts and legacy in school curricula.
For his part, Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs Khlaif Al-Uthaina said, "the ministry aims to render the Grand Mosque a pioneering religious, cultural, social, and educational institution on local and regional level. It aims to make it a landmark sought for worship as well as interaction, and to foster more contact with the public." This exhibit, he stressed, helps within the overall effort to preserve our Islamic identity and heritage. "Art had always been a reflection and embodiment of a civilization or nation's advancement, and could well be the lone and strongest representation a civilization or age leaves behind for posterity," the official noted.
Chairman of Kuwait Center for Islamic Arts Farid Al-Ali said the previous four forums proved a great success, and saw great popularity by local enthusiasts and others from other parts of the world. This year, the items on exhibit are the works of participants from 10 countries. "Visitors are in store for a magical journey in the world of color, brush-stroke, and font," he promised.
As part of the event, a workshop is set up for visiting children who are to be given tips on and opportunity to experiment with special techniques in each of the arts represented, and they would also be instructed on the arts of dialogue and interaction through work-groups, he pointed out.
Books and compilations on Islamic arts and art supplies are also on offer during the exhibit, offered by bookshops and establishments from other countries, he said.