UAE, Tunisia Sign MoU to Revamp 'Home of Ibn Khaldun'

Initiative to restore the house of the great Arab scholar and philosopher Ibn Khaldun in Tunis. WAM
Initiative to restore the house of the great Arab scholar and philosopher Ibn Khaldun in Tunis. WAM
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UAE, Tunisia Sign MoU to Revamp 'Home of Ibn Khaldun'

Initiative to restore the house of the great Arab scholar and philosopher Ibn Khaldun in Tunis. WAM
Initiative to restore the house of the great Arab scholar and philosopher Ibn Khaldun in Tunis. WAM

UAE’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Tunisia have concluded an MoU to revamp the ‘Home of Ibn Khaldun’ in the City of Culture, Shazly Kelibi, in Tunis.
Aimed at turning the house into a museum for the renowned scholar Abdurahman ibn Khaldoun, the MoU was signed by Abdurrahman Mohamed Al Owais, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center and Dr. Hayat Qatat Al-Qarmazi, the Minister of Cultural Affairs of Tunisia, in the presence of Dr Yousef Al Obaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center in Abu Dhabi, and Dr. Iman Ahmed Al-Salami, UAE Ambassador to Tunisia, along with a number of officials from both countries.

“The initiative to restore the house of the great Arab scholar and philosopher Ibn Khaldun in Tunis, which comes under the noble patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, constitutes one of the initiatives of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center for preserving human heritage at all local, Arab, and international levels," said Al Owais.

“This effort reflects the UAE's commitment to preserving world heritage, in its both tangible and intangible forms, an approach that was initiated by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and maintained by the UAE wise leadership in an example to follow in terms of tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and cultural harmony,” he added.

For her part, Al-Qarmazi hailed the longstanding cultural cooperation between the two countries in the field of culture and heritage.

“This signing is a step in the right direction for advancing the partnership between the two nations in a way that showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Arab and Islamic worlds," she added.



Second Islamic Arts Biennale Set to Open in Saudi Arabia in January

Featuring the contributions of over 30 artists, the artworks will be on display in both indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces. SPA
Featuring the contributions of over 30 artists, the artworks will be on display in both indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces. SPA
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Second Islamic Arts Biennale Set to Open in Saudi Arabia in January

Featuring the contributions of over 30 artists, the artworks will be on display in both indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces. SPA
Featuring the contributions of over 30 artists, the artworks will be on display in both indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces. SPA

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation said that the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale is scheduled to open on January 25 at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
The biennale aims to present a captivating blend of timeless treasures of Islamic civilization and contemporary artistic creations, offering visitors a journey through the artistic heritage of Islam that engages senses, intellect, and creativity.
Featuring the contributions of over 30 artists from Saudi Arabia and beyond, the artworks will be on display in both indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces.
Saudi artist Muhannad Shono will lead the curation of contemporary art, supported by associate curators Joanna Chevalier and Amina Diab.
Shono, alongside artistic directors Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer, and Abdul Rahman Azzam, has tasked the participating artists with creating new pieces that complement historical Islamic artifacts.
The theme of this biennale, "And all that is in between,” encapsulates the essence of the contemporary artworks, transcending simplistic notions and cultural dialogues to foster a collective understanding, imagination, and interpretation.
Many artists have found inspiration in timeless elements, seeking to captivate visitors with themes like space, time, and light. The artworks offer insight into ways of preserving and nurturing culture by exploring the evolving landscape in Saudi Arabia.
The new art pieces will be showcased alongside historical artifacts, including religious relics, maps, and jewelry, in five indoor exhibition halls and various outdoor spaces under the canopy of the Hajj Terminal.
The works are inspired by the concept of the garden in Islamic civilization, blending nature and traditional design while tackling contemporary environmental and social issues.
The 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale will be held in seven sections: AlBidaya (the beginning), AlMadar (the orbit), AlMuqtani (homage), AlMathala (the canopy), Makkah al-Mukarramah, Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, and AlMusalla (the prayer hall), spread throughout various galleries and outdoor areas, on 100,000 square meters of dedicated exhibition space.