21 March 2018
H.E Attends the 'Islamic Art facing Extremism’ Conference, Alexandria, H.E: Cultureis at the front line of combatting extremism and terror
The Kingdom of Bahrain continues to enhance its presence at the regional and international big cultural events, as reflected lately by the participation of H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities (BACA) as the Guest of Honour” at 'Islamic Art facing Extremism’ conference. The international conference is held from 21 March to 23 March 2018, co-organized by Alexandria Library and The Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), with the support of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), that seeks to identify the cultural and civilized heritage that reflect the Islamic art.
Dr Mustafa al-Feky, Director of Alexandria Library, welcomed H.E Shaikha Mai, lauding her efforts to preserve the cultural Bahraini and Arab heritage and enhance culture, locally and regionally.
In her conference speech, H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, said “ I’ve come here with a cultural peace that transcends borders and creates rapprochement between cultures and civilizations”. H.E argued that culture is at the front line combatting extremism and terror, and added saying “ We have to know the Other so to clear up all prejudices and stereotypes formed only in our imagination, so that difference and diversity, in culture arts and beliefs, become a source of enrichment for our societies. Culture should be our ideal lifestyle to make the world a better place” H.E also said that Manama stands today as an example of peaceful co-existence between different religions and beliefs, which will contribute positively in our future endeavour to nominate the city to be registered on UNESCO World Heritage List.
H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa thanked the conference organizers, arguing that this international meeting reflects the importance of Alexandria, and its Library, as a citadel, a cradle of civilizations since 3rd millennium BC, and as the oldest official library in the world. H.E has pointed out that Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities is keen to promote enlightenment values of Islam through unique events celebrating Muharraq as the capital of Islamic Culture 2018. H.E added that Bahrain National Museum is currently hosting “Al-Fann: Art from the Islamic Civilization from The al-Sabah Collection”, and “ Between Muharraq and Seville: A Bolza-Bu Saad Dialogue” Exhibition.
The aim of the conference is to establish a committee of museums and sections of Islamic art within the committees of the International Council of Museums, in order to coordinate their programs and activities and establish joint events to promote this art. In addition to establishing a network for those working in the fields of Islamic art, whether academically or in traditional crafts to revive and spread Islamic art. The conference will work to spread the love of life and beauty values against the culture of hatred through artistic products. Islamic art is expressing the values of tolerance and integration that we see in the examples of this art that exist in the Egyptian churches. In a statement, the ISESCO has clarified that the conference aims to fight against terrorism and extremism through educational, cultural and artistic approaches that seek to establish peace principles and coexistence and to consolidate the role of arts in uprooting terrorism and extremism. It also aims to achieve the following goals:
Establishing a committee for Islamic art museums and departments, as part of the ICOM committees, in order to coordinate their programs and activities and to hold joint events that introduce Islamic art, set a network for employees working in the fields of Islamic art, whether academically or in terms of traditional craftsmanship that revive and spread Islamic art, publishing works that reflect the spirit of Islamic art, which had provided products for Christian pilgrims in Jerusalem and had a new-fangled realization of the national spirit. Islamic art conveyed the values of tolerance and integration portrayed in the Islamic arts that are found inside Egyptian churches and are reflected through the cooperation of Christians in building Islamic architectural monuments, disseminate a love culture for and appreciation of life and beauty through the artifacts of Islamic art as an antipode of the culture of hate and antagonism, encourage Islamic art craftsmen to expand and propagate their products, work toward establishing a virtual museum of Islamic art artifacts online in order to benefit researchers and Islamic art enthusiast. In line with the conference, Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage inaugurated an exhibition showcasing exceptional Saudi Islamic art pieces.
