HRH Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province, today opened the second edition of the Islamic Art Conference, organized by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), in cooperation with the Abdullatif Al-Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture, under the theme "In Praise of the Craftsman-Artist."
The conference runs from November 24 to 26, bringing together researchers, intellectuals and historians from more than 13 countries to explore contemporary trends in Islamic arts and crafts.

Conference Activities: A Platform to Revive Islamic Arts

1. Exhibitions and Accompanying Activities:

  • Live demonstrations by skilled artisans.
  • Specialized workshops.
  • Lectures and seminars featuring more than 27 speakers and 50 participants.
  • Film screenings focused on Islamic heritage.

2. Key Themes:

  • Sustainability in handicrafts and its impact on contemporary societies.
  • The role of museums and cultural patronage in preserving Islamic arts.
  • The relationship between artisans and patrons, and traditional material techniques used.
  • Saudi handicrafts and their role in reinforcing cultural identity.

3. Supporting Handicrafts in the Kingdom:

The conference coincides with the announcement of 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts in Saudi Arabia, aiming to support Saudi cultural heritage and raise awareness of the importance of traditional crafts, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to preserving its cultural legacy.

Remarks From Event Leaders

  • Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz:
    Praised the government's patronage of mosque architecture and Islamic arts, describing the conference as an opportunity to learn about the rich history of Islamic mosque architecture.
  • Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz:
    Stressed the importance of preserving Islamic heritage and craft art, highlighting efforts to care for mosque architecture and Islamic heritage.
  • Abdullah bin Abdullatif Al-Fozan:
    Said the conference represents a platform for reviving heritage, pointing to the adoption of the Mosque Building Code in cooperation with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the National Committee for the Saudi Building Code.

Conference Goals

  1. Reviving Islamic craft traditions and supporting contemporary artisans.
  2. Exploring modern trends in Islamic arts.
  3. Promoting positive social change through arts and crafts.
  4. Expanding Islamic crafts to keep pace with the needs of modern societies.

Academic and Cultural Program

  • 10 keynote seminars discussing topics such as sustainability, cultural heritage, and the role of handicrafts in society.
  • Interactive displays highlighting traditional Saudi crafts.
  • Discussions on the impact of modern technology on handicrafts.