Ithra conference in Saudi Arabia shines spotlight on vibrant Islamic arts

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Ithra is hosting the second Islamic Art Conference from Nov. 25-30. (AN Photo/Hind Al-Khunaizi)
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Updated 25 November 2024
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Ithra conference in Saudi Arabia shines spotlight on vibrant Islamic arts

  • Conference seeks to highlight how traditional crafts can inspire innovative solutions in areas such as design, business and urban development
  • Adding to the immersive experience, three specially curated films explore the artistry and history of Islamic crafts

DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, also known as Ithra, is hosting the second Islamic Art Conference from Nov. 25-30.

In partnership with the Abdullatif Al-Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture, the theme of this year’s event is “In Praise of the Artisan.” Featuring 50 participants from 14 countries, including 27 distinguished speakers, the conference will explore the connection between heritage and innovation in Islamic art.

From panel discussions to live demonstrations, and with a diverse lineup of artists, historians, curators and academics, the program offers attendees an opportunity to engage with the artistry and history of Islamic craftsmanship.

There are thought-provoking lectures, hands-on workshops and interactive demonstrations, all designed to immerse visitors in the beauty and intricacy of Islamic art forms. A central theme this year is the vital role played by artisans in preserving cultural heritage while adapting to contemporary challenges.

Through these discussions, the conference seeks to highlight how traditional crafts can inspire innovative solutions in areas such as design, business and urban development.

Running alongside the event is the “In Praise of the Artisan” exhibition. This display of historical artifacts and contemporary works highlight the timelessness of Islamic artistry through media ranging from ornate wood carvings and luminous textiles to intricately painted ceramics and dazzling metalwork. For those eager to learn skills for themselves, there are workshops on crafts such as embroidery, wood carving and sailboat crafting.

Adding to the immersive experience, three specially curated films explore the artistry and history of Islamic crafts, delving into the lives of artisans and the cultural significance of their work. Each screening is followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.

Beyond the main exhibition, Ithra’s plaza will host eight mini-exhibits in collaboration with institutions such as The Heritage Commission, The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, and The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques. These highlight regional crafts from across the Islamic world, such as Turkey and Egypt, emphasizing the event’s global nature.

Prominent voices such as Dr. Mashary Al-Naim, Dr. Mahmoud Erol Kilic and artist Ahmad Angawi will lead debates on the challenges and opportunities artisans face in preserving their crafts in an era dominated by mass production. Topics will include the integration of craftsmanship into modern business models and the role of artisans in sustainable urban development.

The conference also emphasizes the potential of traditional crafts to drive social change. By fostering collaboration between artisans, designers and cultural institutions, it creates pathways for them to thrive in contemporary markets while maintaining their historical integrity.

One highlight is the work of Dhai Ibrahim Al-Otaibi, a rising star in the art of Naqda embroidery. Known for her innovative approach, Al-Otaibi blends the opulence of traditional silver and gold threads with modern fashion aesthetics.

“Naqda embroidery signifies a critical aspect of Saudi cultural identity, especially in the Eastern and Central regions,” Al-Otaibi told Arab News.

“By reinterpreting these methods, I hope to make this craft more accessible to new generations while preserving its authenticity.”

Al-Otaibi began her journey as an apprentice under the guidance of artisan Sarah Al-Dosari and is one of only 14 of Naqda embroidery practitioners in Saudi Arabia. Her contributions to the exhibition not only show her personal artistry but also underscore the enduring relevance of this centuries-old craft.

“In Praise of the Artisan” will continue at Ithra until December 2027, providing plenty of opportunity to experience the splendor of Islamic arts and their evolving role in a modern world.


Mona Khashoggi brings ‘Sinbad the Sailor’ to life on the London stage

Updated 4 min 36 sec ago
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Mona Khashoggi brings ‘Sinbad the Sailor’ to life on the London stage

DUBAI: Saudi writer and producer Mona Khashoggi’s latest production, “Sinbad the Sailor,” was staged on Tuesday at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre, blending traditional Arab storytelling with contemporary performance. 

The family-friendly dance show was a vibrant reinterpretation of the legendary seafarer’s adventures, inspired by tales from “One Thousand and One Nights” and set in eighth-century Mesopotamia.

Khashoggi is a long-time advocate for reviving Arab arts through international collaborations. (Supplied)

The musical tells the story of Sinbad, who loses his fortune in a card game and goes on a journey to find new treasures. Along the way he faces sea monsters, wild adventures and magical caves. He meets a kind girl and together they find friendship, love and a way back home to Baghdad, where Sinbad inspires a young boy with his stories.

Khashoggi, a long-time advocate for reviving Arab arts through international collaborations, emphasized her decision to work with a global cast. “Because this is a dance show … I wanted the best ballet and contemporary dancers. My dancers are all professional from the Mathew Bourne school, English National Ballet and West End Musicals,” she told Arab News. 

Staging Sinbad in London is part of Khashoggi’s broader mission to spotlight Arab culture for international audiences. (Supplied)

“My lead Mark Samaras is in ‘Moulin Rouge.’ My creatives are from the West End with awards. I wanted to push the bar high and introduce an Arab story,” she added. “Mona Khash Productions is a British production. I always work and produce my shows in London before we tour internationally. London and the West End shows are the center and capital of theater in the world.”

Staging Sinbad in London is part of Khashoggi’s broader mission to spotlight Arab culture for international audiences. 

Traditional songs were gathered from Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria, with the audience enjoying original compositions by Emirati composer Ihab Darwish. (Supplied)

“My work and passion is to revive our culture and bring it to a wider audience and international audience. My shows are educational and cultural. The dance and costumes are inspired by stories from ‘1001 Nights,’ set in Mesopotamia 700 BC, during the era of Haroun El-Rashid and Queen Zubaida,” she said. 

Traditional songs were gathered from Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria, with the audience enjoying original compositions by Emirati composer Ihab Darwish.

Director and choreographer Anjali Mehra, whose credits include “Jesus Christ Superstar” and "Lord of the Rings,” said: “The Middle East offers so many exciting social and celebratory dances.
“I was inspired by certain steps, foot rhythms, arm movements and stage patterns. With a mixed heritage cast, we were able to combine modern storytelling dance with classical technique and Arabic steps to bring ‘Sinbad the Sailor’ to life,” Mehra added.


Madinah exhibition showcases local heritage, crafts 

Updated 15 July 2025
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Madinah exhibition showcases local heritage, crafts 

  • Three-day event, which ended on Tuesday, is among several Year of Handicrafts initiatives launched by the Ministry of Culture
  • Elements of heritage were embodied in palm-based crafts including baskets, incense burners, and decorative pieces

RIYADH: The “Arts Telling Stories” exhibition in Madinah showcased the nation’s culture and history through authentic handicrafts.

The three-day event, which ended on Tuesday, is among several “Year of Handicrafts” initiatives launched by the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The exhibition featured a diverse collection of handcrafted creations reflecting the identity of the local community. 

Elements of heritage were embodied in palm-based crafts including baskets, incense burners, and decorative pieces, illustrating the historical bond between people and the environment.

The event also showcased wooden artworks, including decorated boxes, vases, and household items crafted with techniques blending traditional sensibility and modern innovation.

It featured pottery pieces inspired by folk art, drawing from the colors and landscapes of the region’s geography, the SPA reported.

The exhibition reflects the ministry’s efforts to promote traditional arts, foster community awareness, and encourage young people to connect with their cultural roots.


Miniature model helps bring Saudi history to life

Updated 14 July 2025
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Miniature model helps bring Saudi history to life

  • Featuring miniature representations of Saudi cities from the past, these creations transport visitors through time
  • Artist and craft trainer Abdullah Al-Khazam, a native of Hail, presented a clay model of the ancient commercial area of Hail city at the event

RIYADH: The Beit Hail Festival, which runs until July 29, is showcasing unique works which reflect the region’s rich historic archaeological legacy, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.

Featuring miniature representations of Saudi cities from the past, these creations transport visitors through time, highlighting the details of daily life and the beauty of historic architecture.

Artist and craft trainer Abdullah Al-Khazam, a native of Hail, has presented a clay model of the ancient commercial area of Hail city at the event.

The model has attracted the attention of thousands of visitors and illustrates the techniques used to craft such works, enriching the festival’s depiction of the Kingdom’s heritage.

Al-Khazam based the model on historic sources, using precise measurements and conducting field visits. He also consulted historians, researchers, and elderly residents for accuracy.

The model features key landmarks, including Barzan Palace, a mosque, the commercial square, and various government offices, the SPA added.

Built with traditional materials such as clay and palm trunks, the model uses classic construction techniques and incorporates period ornaments and engravings, effectively recreating the city center of the past.


The UK’s longest-running Arab arts festival returns 

Updated 14 July 2025
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The UK’s longest-running Arab arts festival returns 

DHAHRAN: The Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, or LAAF, the UK’s longest-running annual celebration of Arab arts and culture, returns this month with a theme that feels both timely and timeless: “Nostalgia.”

Now two decades in, the festival has grown from grassroots beginnings into an internationally recognized celebration.

Running through to July 20, this year’s program explores how memory, heritage and longing shape artistic expression across the Arab world and its diasporas. 

The dynamic, bilingual line-up spans film, music, literature, performance, food and family activities — all underscored by deeper reflections on identity, loss and cultural continuity.

Arab News spoke with Taher Qassim, originally from Yemen, who founded LAAF in 1998 as a community-led effort to foster cultural pride and preserve Arab identity in Liverpool.

“The theme of ‘nostalgia’ is a reflection of both how far we’ve come and where we began,” Qassim said. “Twenty-three years ago, we set out on a path that was uncertain but filled with excitement and purpose. We knew we wanted to create something that represented the Yemeni and Arab presence in Liverpool, but we didn’t yet know how to express it.”

What began as a handful of cultural activations has since evolved into a platform for Arab artists. “From those humble beginnings … the festival began to blossom,” he said. “Today, we proudly offer a platform to artists from across the Arab world, Europe, the US, and beyond — something we could only have dreamed of.”

Two events stand out for him: ‘Arabs Are Not Funny’ and ‘The Book of Sanaa.’ The former, he says, “directly challenges the long-held stereotype that Arabs lack a sense of humor. It’s refreshing, bold and liberating — exactly what the festival stands for.”

The latter brings together literature, poetry, food, and a model of Yemen’s historic capital.

“The richness of this event would’ve felt like a fantasy to us two decades ago. Now, it’s a reality — something we’ve made possible through years of dedication and community.”

Qassim, who was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2008 for services to community cohesion, handed over the festival’s leadership to his daughter, Afrah, who now steers LAAF with the same vision and care.

Today, LAAF is no longer seen solely as a festival for the Arab community. “That perception has shifted dramatically,” Qassim said. “People from all backgrounds and ages attend and engage. The festival has become a space for dialogue, curiosity and connection.” As he put it, “Conversations happen naturally — before, during and after events.”

One event he hopes visitors will not miss is the now-iconic “Family Day” at the Palm House in Sefton Park. “It’s become the signature event of the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival — our legacy day,” he said. “Families travel from across the UK, Europe, and even further afield to be part of it. The atmosphere is joyful, welcoming, and truly inclusive … a vibrant, heartwarming celebration of Arab culture at its best.”

Some events require tickets, but “Family Day” — an afternoon of music, crafts, performances and community — is the grand finale and free to all.


Christie’s London to feature retrospective on Syrian artist Marwan

Updated 14 July 2025
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Christie’s London to feature retrospective on Syrian artist Marwan

DUBAI: Christie’s is poised to host a non-selling exhibition of work by late Syrian artist Marwan Kassab-Bachi, titled “Marwan: A Soul in Exile.”

Taking place from July 16- August 22, the show was curated by Ridha Moumni, chairman of Christie’s Middle East & Africa.

This retrospective exhibition will display more than 150 works on loan from museums, institutions and private collections in Europe and the Middle East. The exhibition traces the artist’s career, from his artistic beginnings in Syria to his prolific output in Germany, his adopted homeland, where he spent six decades of his life.

“I wanted to highlight the essential threads running through his career: from his iconic ‘Face Landscapes’ to the celebrated ‘Heads,’ his journey from Damascus to Germany, and the pivotal moments that shaped his legacy — including his major 1976 retrospective at Charlottenburg Schloss, which established his place in the German art scene,” Moumni told Arab News.

“Equally important is his enduring connection to Syria and the Arab world,” he added.

With paintings, works on paper, and editions from 1953 until 2014, this exhibition offers audiences in London the chance to explore the artist’s multi-disciplinary approach.  

“Over the past two years, our aim has been to introduce artists and artistic scenes to London that people here don’t often get to see. One of our deepest commitments is to highlight the richness of artists from the Arab world or of Arab heritage. Marwan embodies this mission beautifully: a towering figure from the Syrian diaspora, who built an extraordinary career in Germany, and had a big impact on modern portraiture,” Moumni said of Christie’s decision to spotlight the artist this summer.

In 1957, Marwan moved to Berlin and attended the Hochschule fur Bildende Kunste, graduating in 1963. The artist, who is referred to by his first name, joined a group of German expressionist painters that included Georg Baselitz and Eugen Schonebeck, but he retained his Syrian identity and engaged with social and political issues of the Middle East through his work. 

“For those who already know his work, I hope they uncover new depths — its poetic power, its meditations on exile, identity, and belonging. Above all, I hope visitors feel a true connection to Marwan’s work,” Moumni said.