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The 40th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Paris, adopted on  Wednesday 20 November 2019, the 18th  of November as International Day of Islamic Art, following the recommendation of the Executive Council to approve the proposal of the Kingdom of Bahrain regarding the 18th of November as International Day of Islamic Art.

H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, expressed her happiness on this UNESCOGC declaration and said: “it is a great day to celebrate diversity and pluralism through the finest Islamic civilization’ Art; it is a bridge connecting peoples and civilizations, a real challenge to intolerance and racism”. Speaking at the official General Council’s meeting, H.E has stressed that “ The Importance of Islamic Art stems from its symbolic representation of a mixed metamorphose between previous arts and modern ones, playing, thus, the role of a bridge that connects cultures and gathers peoples throughout time and space”. H.E asserted that “ Islamic Art heritage  is characterized by its  vividness, immediacy, and dynamism, which is still practiced and invents in all corners of the Earth, from Spain to China. It is the art of human existence anywhere, anytime, produced by a professional artist in his private sphere, his school and public spaces, not limited to a sect of a social class”. H.E added arguing that “ The Islamic Art is closely connected with craftsmen and creative industries, which would contribute to achieve a number of sustainable development goals requested by many communities and societies”. H.E expressed her thanks and gratitude to all those supported Bahrain’s proposed initiative to adopt an International Day for Islamic Art, confirming that the Kingdom of Bahrain will play a crucial role in the implementation of this day’s main objectives through an exceptional yearly celebration of this 18th November day memory.    

Indeed, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, had, on September 2018, launched a campaign at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris to lobby for an International Day of Islamic Arts. This initiative came along with many events and projects that fall under the umbrella of celebrating Muharraq as Capital of Islamic Culture 2018 . Announcing a day to be recognized and celebrated on an international platform highlights the wealth and legacy of our culture, and art as Islamic nations holds an extremely important message of a civilization and a unity of nations that have added to the wealth and global arts scene throughout the history. A Bahraini lady calligrapher welcomed guests dressed in traditional Bahraini costume, and drew their names in classical Arabic calligraphy, as a gesture of thanks for attending and supporting this event. A beautifully written book, “ Islam and Fine Arts”  by a historic scholar from Egypt, Dr. Mohammed Abdulaziz Marzouq on Islamic art, was reprinted and translated to English and French; the book was distributed during the event. The book highlighted a historical overview and definition of Islamic arts. Islamic arts play a role in connecting various influences, through exchange of cultures, skills and creative processes comes the notion of what unites us is more than what divides us. Here is a clear message of both tolerance and diversity. Art influenced creative minds and skills in craftsmanship to travel through the history brings more expertise to many forms of arts and crafts - from jewellery, textiles, ceramics, calligraphy and manuscripts, to architecture and design. After strenuous efforts deployed by Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities during the celebration of Muharraq as Capital of Islamic Culture 2018,  UNESCO’s  Executive Board studied the proposal by Bahrain at its meeting on October  2018 before it is submitted to the General Conference at its 40th session.