Visual Dhikr™
returning to remembrance

Libyan conflict has halted construction on—and acquistions for—new museum in Tripoli due to open in September.

TRIPOLI. The Libyan conflict has halted the creation of a museum of Islamic art in Tripoli, due to open in September to celebrate the anniversary of Colonel Mua­m­mar Gaddafi’s rise to power. The acquisition of exhibits was underway and pieces are known to have been bought from London auction houses over the past three years.

As patron of the department of archaeology, Saif Gaddafi, the son of the Libyan leader, was supporting the project. He is thought to have wanted a collection to show international guests. It was due to be housed in a summer palace built for the Ottoman Yusuf Pasha in the 18th century.

Hafed Walda, a Libyan who advises the country’s department of archaeology on cultural projects, including the new museum, said work on the project had now stopped.

Walda was unwilling to disclose which pieces had been bought for the collection and where they were currently being stored. He said, however, that works are no longer being purchased. He added that the future of the collection is uncertain but hoped it could also incorporate objects from Libya’s own history, which includes the Roman ruins of Leptis Magna.

“It’s important that locals begin to connect their cultural heritage with their national identity, rather than viewing the imperialist influences as incompatible with modern politics,” he said.

The Tripoli War Museum, designed by Camillin Denny Archi­tects, was also scheduled to open this year. Walda said that it remains in “the planning stages”. Tripoli’s National Museum has not reported looting or damage since the outbreak of conflict.

Riah Pryor

A two part investigation into the spatial and social role of faith buildings in the urban fabric of the "Western" world. With particular focus upon the social and spatial role of the mosque, the symposium brings an international array of speakers to the UK to take a keen look at the vital questions raised by the banning of minarets in Switzerland and US outrage at proposals for Park51 - or the 'Ground Zero Mosque'. An exploration of the place of religious and minority identity within the cities of Europe and the USA, and the role architecture and design can take in negotiating this territory today.

Featuring a keynote lecture from Park51's designer, Michel Abboud, SOMA

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The works of nine artists short-listed for the Saudi-sponsored Jameel Prize have been exhibited in venues throughout the Arab world, underlining a new cultural collaboration between countries and boosting interest in contemporary interpretations of traditional Islamic art.

The exhibition was launched at London's Victoria and Albert Museum in July and has since travelled to Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and now Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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I'm loving the proposed designs for Park51, very strong sense of traditional geometric framework weaved into the architecture of the building.

Hundreds of artists from all over the world are competing in a contest for the beautification of Islam’s holiest city, Mecca.

"The objective of the competition is to spread the art culture through paintings that depict the Islamic heritage of the holy city," said Dr. Osama Fadl al-Bar, Mecca’s mayor and supervisor of the first Islamic competition to beautify Mecca.

Dr. al-Bar also added that the competition aims to bring Islamic artists together to exchange expertise.

There are 442 registered artists and 306 art works have been submitted, however only 12 paintings will be chosen. Al-Bar said that all participants will work together under the competition’s slogan "In love of Mecca we gather” to make the corners of the holy city an open museum for Islamic art with a view to beautify the city and enhance society’s aesthetic tastes.

The 12 paintings to be chosen will follow a fair process, as each artwork had been classed by a secret code so that the names of the artists could not be seen.

Tough competition

Despite the registration of 442 pieces of art work only 306 were submitted, and around half of these paintings were found to be just substandard, said Dr. Mohammad Saeed Farsi, former mayor of Jeddah.
"A total of 152 paintings were discarded because they were not up to the standard," Dr. al-Bar said.

Dr. Farsi said the artists who submitted entries were from: Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen, Qatar, Iraq, Morocco, Algeria, Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Mauritania, Somalia, Pakistan, Malaysia, China, India, Italy and the U.S.. The judging panel consisted of renowned artists, designers and experts in philosophy and fine art from Egypt, Morocco, Malaysia and Cote d'Ivoire.

The names of the winners will be announced on September 27 during a special function and will receive prizes totaling $300,000.

Mecca should be the most developed city: Saudi Prince

Mecca Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has launched the competition in Jeddah Wednesday evening and said Saudi Arabia has a responsibility to present Mecca as a model of beauty and development.

He said Saudi leaders were determined to make Mecca one of the cleanest and most developed cities in the world.

"Had it not been for Mecca, the region would not have occupied this high civilized, political and cultural position," he said.

"We are responsible for serving the Grand Mosque and making Mecca a safe haven for pilgrims and visitors."

Prince Khaled Al-Faisal is the sponsor of the art contest and has asked private companies and businessmen to support the first international competition to beautify Mecca.

Recently Saudi Arabia has activated the tallest clock tower in the world in the first day of Ramadan.

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