SHARJAH ISLAMIC ARTS FESTIVAL 2017/18 (DEC 13, 2017 - JAN 23, 2018) Calligraphy from Pen to Paintings

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and ruler of Sharjah, the Cultural Affairs Department at the Sharjah Department of Culture has organised the 20th Edition of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival.

All four exhibitions were inaugurated by Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs Department and the Festival General Coordinator. The opening ceremony was attended by Farah Qassim Mohammed, Islamic Arts Festival Executive; in addition to the esteemed guests, participating artists and a large number of audience.Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer toured the exhibitions with the artists who explained each artwork.

The three solo exhibitions are: 'Hilya of the Prophet Mohammed' by artists Ahmad and Mahmoud Al Omari (Iraq); 'Impact of Love' by Mothana Al Obaidi (Iraq); and 'Kufic Luminosities' by Mohammed Redha Bilal (Syria). All opened at the Sharjah Center for Arabic Calligraphy & Islamic Ornamentation.

The fourth exhibition is a group exhibition titled 'Innovation in Calligraphy Painting'. It presents artworks by Mohammed Bustan (Morocco), Taj AlSer Hassan (Sudan), Yusri Almamlouk (Egypt), and Khaled Alsaeei (Syria). The exhibition opened at the Emirates Society for Arabic Calligraphy & Islamic Ornamentation.

Mothanna Al Obaidy presents his artworks to Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs Department and the Festival General Coordinator and esteemed guests/ Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Visitors admire Mothanna Al Obaidy's calligraphies / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Sculpture by Mothanna Al Obaidy / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Mohammed Redha Bilal explains his artworks to Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs Department and the Festival General Coordinator and esteemed guests / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

A visitor looks at the Mohammed Redha Bilal's artwork / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Mahmoud Al Omari explains his artworks to Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs Department and the Festival General Coordinator and esteemed guests / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Mahmoud Al Omari, Installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Visitors at the solo exhibition of Mahmoud Al Omari / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Khaled Alsaai explains his artworks to Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs Department and the Festival General Coordinator and esteemed guests / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Khaled Alsaai / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Yousry el Mamlouk presents his artworks to Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs Department and the Festival General Coordinator and esteemed guests / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Mohammed Boustan talks about his artworks with Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs Department and the Festival General Coordinator and esteemed guests / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Mohammed Boustan / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Taj AlSer Hassan explains about his artworks to Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs Department and the Festival General Coordinator and esteemed guests / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs Department and the Festival General Coordinator is honoured with the plaque / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Group photo of artists with Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs Department and the Festival General Coordinator and esteemed guests / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

All exhibitions will run until January 23, 2018.