Dhahran – December 11, 2024 The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), in collaboration with the Abdullatif Al Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture, successfully concluded the second edition of the Islamic Art Conference. Entitled In Praise of the Artisan: A Reassessment of Contemporary Islamic Arts & Crafts Practice, the two-day conference featured engaging panel discussions that underscored the importance of preserving the heritage of Islamic art worldwide. 
A significant takeaway from the conference was the recognition of the urgent need to implement a holistic strategy for the handicrafts sector. This approach aims to protect traditional crafts and professions that are at risk of disappearing due to evolving challenges. In addition to the conference itself, related activities are set to continue until the end of November, providing further opportunities to address these pressing issues. Key highlights of the conference included:
Reframing the Crafts Sector and Challenging Stereotypes
Dr Jasir Al-Herbish, CEO of the Heritage Commission under the Saudi Ministry of Culture, discussed the transformative potential of the crafts sector, emphasizing the need to shift its perception from being outdated or associated with low-income or elderly groups. By recognizing and showcasing the Kingdom’s significant efforts to advance the crafts and cultural heritage sector, a new narrative of innovation and value can emerge. Dr Al-Herbish highlighted that the conference provided an opportunity to position crafts as a vital component of the Kingdom’s social, cultural, and economic landscape. He emphasized the importance of exploring not only the history and heritage of artisans but also the profound integration of crafts into the Kingdom’s cultural identity.
The Future of Handicrafts
Shoshana Stewart, President of Turquoise Mountain Foundation (United Kingdom), explored the foundation’s crucial role in shaping the global future of handicrafts By addressing countries impacted by wars, pandemics, and regional crises, the foundation seeks to provide sustainable income sources for displaced families. Stewart remarked, “We believe in culture, craftsmanship, and traditional heritage. Our participation in the Islamic Art Conference aims to support the Kingdom’s artistic and craft resources, such as Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, among others. Our mission is to bring these crafts and artworks to the forefront of global audiences.” Similarly, Professor Mahmud Erol Kılıç, Director General of the Research Center for Islamic History, Art, and Culture (IRCICA – Turkey), reflected on the evolution of Islamic arts and the enduring importance of handicrafts in the modern era. He highlighted the artistic breakthroughs of the 14th century and emphasized the creative fusion between Eastern techniques and global Islamic art traditions. Dr Suzan Al-Yahya, General Director of the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (KSA), reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to preserving and advancing the Kingdom’s cultural heritage. She emphasized the role of apprenticeship in Islamic arts, which the institute integrates into its educational programs, blending Saudi craft heritage with contemporary influences. Dr Al-Yahya highlighted the institute’s efforts to develop the skills of future generations, ensuring the longevity of national crafts while preserving their artistic identity and cultural significance.
The Role of Handicrafts in the Prophetic Era
The conference also shed light on the role of Islamic handicrafts during the Prophetic Era, focusing on the historical significance of the Journey of Winter and Summer, symbolizing the trade expeditions of that time. Dr Abdullah Al-Qadi, CEO and Founder of Abdullah Al-Qadi Consultancy for Heritage and History (KSA), presented a series of compelling historical narratives about the markets, professions, and handcrafted products prevalent during the Prophetic era.
Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Integration
The conference explored how historical crafts and fashion lines can be revitalized to create a contemporary Saudi fashion identity, ensuring that these valuable traditions are preserved while adapting to modern trends. Dr Laila Al-Bassam, Professor of Fashion and Heritage Textiles at Princess Nourah University, stressed how Saudi handicrafts serve as inspiration for creating modern products, highlighting their ability to blend tradition with innovation. She explained that historical studies of traditional clothing serve individuals interested in fields like film and historical drama production, as well as national events. These efforts aim to integrate traditional fashion lines with modern designs. Dr Al-Bassam also emphasized that recreating these garments plays a vital role in developing a contemporary Saudi fashion line that gains global recognition and highlighted the crucial role historians must play in discovering new ways to incorporate handcrafted products, ensuring the preservation and continued relevance of traditional crafts. She concluded, “Our crafts are treasures that enrich and distinguish us—let us preserve them.”
The Kurar House: The Last Guardian of Traditional Crafts in Bahrain
Sheikha Mai Al Khalifa, Founder and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at the Shaikh Ebrahim Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research (Bahrain), expressed her appreciation for Ithra’s dedication to preserving heritage and honoring the invaluable contributions of artisans. She also highlighted the significance of celebrating the International Day of Islamic Art, praising its rich diversity, unique approaches, and distinguished message, which sets it apart from other artistic movements. She said, “Art is the universal language everyone can speak fluently, and Islamic arts are a source of positive energy and a philosophy before being a craft with its dimensions. As the Islamic architect Hassan Fathy said, every house must have a piece of the sky.” Al Khalifa noted that the craft of Kurar (embroidery) began from a passion for preserving crafts that were on the verge of extinction, pointing out that any craft, if not developed, will eventually fade away. She added, “We worked on developing it and presenting it in a contemporary form, creating products that resonate with audiences and are cherished by those who believe in them. It was essential to establish the Kurar House in Muharraq, given its women’s renowned mastery of this craft and its deep roots in Bahraini society.”
In conclusion, the second edition of the Islamic Art Conference highlighted the rich history of crafts across the ages, offering a global perspective infused with modern and contemporary interpretations of traditional handicrafts. It showcased the Kingdom’s rich heritage while challenging stereotypes and opening the door to new trends, bridging the gap between tradition and innovation in the craft sector.
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Notes to Editors
About Ithra:
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is a world-class destination and the beating heart of Saudi Arabia’s culture & creative industry contributing to its prosperity by enabling talent, supporting content production and encouraging cross-cultural exchange that promotes social harmony and human development. Ithra is Saudi Aramco’s most ambitious CSR initiative and the largest cultural contribution to the Kingdom. Through a compelling series of programs, workshops, performances, events, exhibitions and other various initiatives, Ithra creates world-class experiences that bring together culture, innovation and knowledge designed to appeal to everyone. Ithra’s components include the Idea Lab, Library, Theatre, Museum, Cinema, Great Hall, Energy Exhibit, Children’s Museum and Ithra Tower. For more information, please visit: www.ithra.com. Follow Ithra on social media: Facebook (King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture), X (@Ithra) and Instagram (@Ithra) #Ithra
About Abdullatif Alfozan Award for Mosque Architecture:
Abdullatif Alfozan Award for Mosque Architecture was established in 2011, it’s targeting the architectural, urban, and technical aspects of mosques all over the world, and it will be awarded to the related designer/architect. The main objective of this award is the development of contemporary design of mosques, through a specialized and classified database. Moreover, it encourages architects to create new mosque designs, which represent mosques in the twenty-first century. Generally, the award ensures the importance of the twenty-first century mosque architecture that perceived and re-produced the soul of the traditional mosque ideas and conceived by the contemporary mosque concepts as a fundamental message. Therefore, this new message expresses the presence of the contemporary mosque with its architectural and social connection and confirms the importance of the technological and architectural forms that the mosque should reflect.
The award is triennial; the winning mosques will be awarded based on an assessment of international architectural jurors experienced with mosque architecture, who will evaluate and assign the winning mosques.
Furthermore, the award has been recently developed into a professional architectural institution aimed at developing mosque architecture and art worldwide. The award owns the “international conference on mosque architecture (ICMA)”, the “international conference on Islamic Arts” in partnership with Ithra, “and the International Competition on mosques accessories” and manages the online databases specialized for mosque architecture (Mosqpedia).
Finally, the Award was named rewarding its founder Shiekh Abdullatif bin Ahmad Alfozan and his efforts and history in supporting charities. Nevertheless, it is managed by an executive committee and a general secretary, where the executive committee nominate jurors of each cycle, and accordingly follows up the assessment process and assigns the awarded mosques.
