Abdullah Al-Haqim 
Islamic arts in Qatar are witnessing increasing interest, as it has become an essential part of the local cultural and artistic scene, supported by multiple initiatives that seek to highlight their aesthetics and consolidate them among new generations.
“Qatar Museums” celebrates Islamic arts in the blessed month of Ramadan, whether through the Museum of Islamic Art, which is a cultural beacon that embraces rare holdings that reflect the richness of Islamic arts, or through educational programs and workshops that they offer, which gives the public the opportunity to interact with the arts of Arabic calligraphy, gilding, miniatures and other traditional arts.
In the context of its support for Islamic arts, Qatar museums organized field trips to Qatari artists and artists to Islamic countries, such as Turkey, to explore traditional arts there, such as the Azniki ceramics, the art of Ibero, the gilding, the painting on the glass, and the inspiration of these techniques in their creative works.
The Qatar International Competition in the Arabic Calligraphy “Al -Raqeem”, which was organized by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and concluded its first session last February, as one of the important initiatives to preserve the Arabic language and enhance the position of Arabic calligraphy as a shroud and an authentic craft with a promising future.
In the same context, the Ministry of Culture recently launched the first session of the international competition for the art of Arabic calligraphy under the title “Ethics Award”, in partnership with the Islamic World Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ISESCO), with the aim of encouraging artists and creators to revive the art of Arabic calligraphy according to its traditional rules, with a focus on the value of “ethics” that constitute the competition slogan.
A report by the Qatar News Agency (Qena) highlighted the importance of inspiring the spirit of the blessed month of Ramadan in promoting Islamic arts in Qatar, along with heritage and contemporary arts. In this regard, Qatari artists stressed the need to intensify efforts to preserve and develop Islamic arts through the concerted efforts of cultural, artistic and educational institutions.
Originality and update
The Qatari photographer and artist Mashael Al -Hijazi, who specializes in Islamic arts, believes that these arts have a special magic, as it depends on accurate engineering, harmonious repetition, and decorations that reflect a unique spiritual depth. She pointed out that Arabic calligraphy, in particular, is an integrated artistic painting, as each detailed carries a visual story rich in symbols and aesthetics.
Mashael explained that Islamic arts have become part of contemporary Qatari culture, as we find it built into modern architecture, interior design and photography, as photographers in Qatar are drawn to the elements of Islamic decoration and lighting inspired by old mosques to produce works that combine originality and modernity.
She added that the biggest challenge is how Islamic arts make more vital in the digital age, as it requires converting it into a modern visual language, renewed creativity to ensure the preservation of its identity. Despite the increasing interest in these arts through exhibitions and workshops, the primary challenge lies in finding innovative ways to attract new generations, such as integrating them into digital arts, graphic design and photography.
Mashael pointed out that the spiritual atmosphere of the blessed month of Ramadan is an ideal opportunity to highlight and support Islamic arts by highlighting its relationship with Islamic traditions and the values of beauty and spirituality that are manifested in this holy month.
The Qatari artist Mashael Al -Hijazi, who participated in a trip to Turkey, organized by Qatar Museums, confirms that the role of museums is not limited to showing and awareness only, but also extends to organizing artistic trips for Qatari artists and calligraphers to visit cities that embrace a rich legacy of Islamic arts such as Istanbul and Tashkend.
These trips provide artists with the opportunity to interact directly with the schools of calligraphy and different decoration, and exchange experiences with their counterparts in those countries, which contributes to developing their creative methods and enhancing the presence of Islamic arts in the contemporary artistic scene in Qatar.
Distinguished character
For her part, the artist Iman Al -Saad, who specializes in decorative arts and Arabic calligraphy, believes that Islamic art has a distinctive nature, and it occupies a high position in the Museum of Islamic Art through its rare holdings and valuable paintings, as well as the educational workshops provided by specialists.
However, Iman confirms that preserving this art and upgrading it requires the establishment of a specialized center that brings together calligraphers, decorations and those interested in Islamic arts of all kinds, including line, decoration, gilding and miniatures.
She explains that this center will contribute to exchanging knowledge, establishing effective workshops, organizing continuous lessons, and participating in internal and external exhibitions, which ensures the continuity of this art for future generations.
Iman notes that the blessed month of Ramadan represents an ideal opportunity for artists, as many of them are attracted to writing Quranic verses or prophetic hadiths or the implementation of decorative works inspired by the spirituality of the holy month. She adds that the creation of an artistic environment incubating this art will help consolidate its continuity and enhance its spread.
Iman Al -Saad also called for the need for schools to cooperate with specialized artists to establish introductory workshops for students, noting that the decoration and gilding are the basis of decorating the honorable Qur’ans and the homes of God, and it is a great deal that male and female students will find a great passion for these arts as soon as they are practiced.
Aesthetic heritage
As for the Turkish artist residing in Qatar Khadija Yitch, she indicates that Islamic arts are witnessing remarkable growth, but she is still limited to specific groups compared to modern artistic currents. And she stresses that these arts are an essential element in promoting cultural identity and preserving aesthetic heritage, which requires redoubling efforts to spread it on a broader scale.
Khadija proposes to increase educational programs, support artists and organize specialized international exhibitions, which gives artists in Qatar wider opportunities to appear and engage in the global artistic scene. It also stresses the importance of organizing more workshops and events in the centers of visual arts to introduce the public to these arts, as well as developing projects that mix Islamic arts and modern touches to attract the attention of new generations.
On her artistic journey, Khadija explained that she grew up in an environment that celebrates the traditions of ancient gilding in Türkiye, and seeks to spread this art on the international scene, and introduce the public in Qatar. She adds that the art of gilding is not just an aesthetic expression, but rather a journey that requires patience and spiritual serenity, noting that this art has a therapeutic force, and therefore it aspires to transfer it to future generations and the involvement of those interested in it in its learning and practice.
