Miraj by Fatma Lootah

The golden dome rises at the Al Majaz WaterFront

Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah, the Cultural Affairs Department at the Sharjah Department of Culture has organized the 21st edition of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival (SIAF).

The installation 'Miraj' by Fatma Lootah, located at the Al Majaz WaterFront, officially opened in the presence of Mohammed I. Al Qaseer, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Farah Qassim Mohammed, Islamic Arts Festival Executive, the respected guests, the artists and the media.

The 'Miraj' consists of several parts, mainly the dome which simbolizes the Dome on the Rock and an inner space which connects us to the Al-Aqsa Mosque where the miraj took place. The parts of the installation are still under the construction, so we have a feeling that it symbolizesr the spiritual journey of every human being, as it is still unfolding and being constructed. The layout of the dome is based on an eight sided star, comprised from two squares. This has a great significance as that Islamic geometric form then rises towards the circle of the dome. Both directions are important, from the ground up to the dome - evoking the spiritual path, as well as from the dome down which symbolizes divine protection and providence from heaven to earth.

Fatma Lootah / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Miraj by Fatma Lootah / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Miraj by Fatma Lootah, detail / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Fatma Lootah explains her installation concept to Mohammed I. Al Qaseer, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Fatma Lootah was born in 1955. She studied art in Bagdad and in United States. In 1983 she moved to Verona, Italy where she continued her studies. She now lives and works in Verona. She still feels strong connection to her home country, the UAE that she visits regularly.