The first ever Islamic Art Week has taken place between November 16th and the 22nd – setting an incredible precedent for future celebrations of Islamic art and creativity.
Providing free tickets so that there was essentially no barrier of entry, having this accessibility to all was an essential part of the organizer’s aim for the week.
Upholding the belief that Islamic art is itself a reflection of truth, the organizers wanted to honor the Islamic principle that truth, therefore, should be available to all.
The organizers behind this event was The Global Centre of Islamic Art, co-founded by Sandy Kurt and Fadhila al Dhahouri.
With a vision to help facilitate a way to have Islamic art accessible and available to anyone, it has expanded into a global team of passionate artists, marketers, researchers, and designers since its founding more than two years ago.
Celebrating the fact that this was the first ever Islamic Art Week, this event was an incredible feat – and it also included hands-on practical workshops, where both beginners and the more seasoned could get inspired to take their creative skills to the next level.
38 artists and masters delivered 37 unique and exclusive workshops online, from countries across the world on a wide range of topics – from pattern construction of geometric and biomorphic motifs to various scripts of Islamic calligraphy and numerous applications, and from leather and woodwork to paper and glass art.
Popular artists present at the event were Abdul Kareem (Kareemgraphy), Hatem Arafa, Mobeen Akhtar, Master Haji Noor Deen, and Master Seymar Cinar, as well at the keynote speaker Ahmed Paul Keeler, who formulated and organized The World of Islam Festival in 1976 and authored Rethinking Islam & The West: A New Narrative.
At the event, Keeler spoke on the intricacies of how Islamic art reflects the unity and multiplicity of Allah and Allah’s creation, as well as the unity and diversity of Islam across the world.
Supporting the event were 12 collaborators from across the world from Japan to the US, with the Islamic Society of North America involved throughout the week as well.
In total, there were 3,812 registered attendees from 95 countries during Islamic Art Week – the global impact of this event, and of the cultural impact it has had, is still yet to be fully recognized after such a groundbreaking week of art, faith, and creativity.
At the end of the week, Islamic Art Week donated 10% of the entire revenue to Gaza, through their charity partner Muslim Aid.
To learn more about The Global Centre for Islamic Arts, click here!
If you or someone you know wants to join the waitlist for Islamic Art Week 2025, click here!
