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Saudi holds contest for Mecca beautification
Saudi Arabia has invited hundreds of Islamic intellects and artists from around the world to present their thoughts on how to make Mecca the most beautiful city in a rare contest for the development of Islam’s holiest shrine. More than 300 participants from most Arab countries and as far as China, Malaysia, Pakistan, the United States and Turkey have been shortlisted for the competition which involves artistic works on how to beautify Mecca and turn it into a museum-like city attracting not only pilgrims but millions of Muslims who are interested in ancient Islamic culture and arts. The contest is part of a long-term development strategy for the birthplace of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) ordered by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to turn Mecca in to the world’s most beautiful city and make life for the pilgrims easier. Officials said 442 artists and Islamic intellects from 22 countries had applied for the two-month contest but 306 of them have been shortlisted.
The competition is entitled “In love with Mecca, we meet” and is patronised by the Emir of Mecca, Prince Klaled al Faisal, a Saudi royal family member. “The main purpose of this significant contest is to spread the Islamic art and culture through works that will tell the story of Islamic heritage for the Mecca, the capital of the Islamic culture and the most beloved to our hours,” said Osama bin Fadl al Bar, Mayor of the Holy city.
“It will bring together hundreds of Moslem artists from 22 countries….all of them have been asked to present their thoughts in individual works that will allow us to turn it into the most beautiful city and into a real Islamic arts museum that will be open for all,” al Bar told local reporters this week. In comments last week, Prince Al Faisal said the Gulf Kingdom, which controls over a fifth of the world’s proven oil reserves, aims to turn Mecca into the most beautiful city in its 20-year development plan, which started two years ago. “The development strategy for Mecca has been at the heart of the Kingdom’s Five-Year Development Plans….if Mecca had not been here, this region would not have attained such an important cultural and political position in the world.”
Al-Bar said the preparation for the Islamic competition for the beautification of Mecca had taken two years to make a plan, taking into account Mecca’s preeminent position in the Islamic world. He said the Mecca municipality intended to ensure the participation of a large number of artists from Arab and Islamic countries in the competition, adding that it would be publicized in the international media. Al Bar said the competition, which has attracted prominent Islamic cultural experts from several countries for judging the work, also aims at spreading genuine art by depicting Mecca’s heritage in artworks.
Prizes worth around $300,000 will be given to the winners and the art works will be displayed at 12 locations in the city after the deadline on September 27.
Source and photo: http://www.emirates247.com/news/
