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2025 Islamic Arts Biennale Opens in Jeddah

The Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah, a city that has been a cultural crossroads for centuries. SPA
The Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah, a city that has been a cultural crossroads for centuries. SPA
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2025 Islamic Arts Biennale Opens in Jeddah

The Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah, a city that has been a cultural crossroads for centuries. SPA
The Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah, a city that has been a cultural crossroads for centuries. SPA

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation inaugurated on Saturday the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale, titled And All That is in Between, which will run until May 25.
The Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah, a city that has been a cultural crossroads for centuries. The venue, the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, holds deep emotional resonance for millions of Muslim pilgrims embarking on their sacred journeys for Hajj and Umrah. By juxtaposing historical objects from Islamic cultures with contemporary art, the Biennale explores how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through feeling, thinking, and making.
The Biennale artistic team is led by prominent international experts, including Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer, and Abdul Rahman Azzam, alongside Saudi artist Muhannad Shono, who serves as Curator, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The title, And All That is in Between, originates from a verse that appears several times in the Quran: “And God created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in between.” It captures the majesty of God’s creation as perceived by humankind. Spanning five exhibition halls, outdoor spaces, and more than 500 objects and contemporary artworks, the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale delves into how humanity endeavors to comprehend the divine.
In its second edition, the Biennale showcases significantly more works and welcomes a greater number of participating institutions, solidifying its position as the central global platform for Islamic arts. Loans from leading institutions across the world, including the Musée du Louvre (Paris), the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), the Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Learning and Islamic Research (Timbuktu), the Museum of Islamic Art (Doha), and the Manuscripts Institute of Türkiye (Istanbul), enrich the exhibition. Saudi institutions contributing to the Biennale include the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) (Dhahran), the King Abdulaziz Waqf Libraries Assembly (Madinah), and the King Fahad National Library (Riyadh). Visitors can also view objects and works of art from the holy sites of Makkah and Madinah.
A key highlight is the first-ever display of the entire Kiswah—the cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba—outside of Makkah. This Kiswah, created annually, is the one that adorned the Holy Kaaba last year, SPA said.
The Biennale features contributions from over 30 artists from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region, and beyond, including 29 new commissions. This reflects the Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s commitment to providing a global platform for Saudi artists and bringing international artists to Saudi Arabia, fostering engagement with diverse perspectives in contemporary art.
The Biennale comprises seven thematic sections: AlBidayah (The Beginning), AlMadar (The Orbit), AlMuqtani (Homage), AlMidhallah (The Canopy), AlMukarramah (The Honored), AlMunawwarah (The Illuminated), and AlMusalla. These components are housed in indoor galleries and outdoor spaces spanning 100,000 square meters of exhibition space.
Public programs accompanying the Biennale include talks, workshops, community initiatives, and symposia throughout the exhibition period. Notable inaugural programs include Biennale After School and Biennale After Work, which offer hands-on art workshops for children and adults, fostering creativity and reflection.

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Culture

Northern Arabia Archaeological Site Reveals 13,500-Year-Old Human Settlement

The study documented human settlement at the site dating back about 13,500 years. (Saudi Ministry of Culture)
The study documented human settlement at the site dating back about 13,500 years. (Saudi Ministry of Culture)
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Northern Arabia Archaeological Site Reveals 13,500-Year-Old Human Settlement

The study documented human settlement at the site dating back about 13,500 years. (Saudi Ministry of Culture)
The study documented human settlement at the site dating back about 13,500 years. (Saudi Ministry of Culture)

The Saudi Heritage Commission, one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, announced findings documenting archaeological evidence of early human settlement in northern Arabia. The scientific study presenting the evidence has been published in the journal Nature.

The findings, presented in the scientific study titled “The Natufian Epipalaeolithic and Pre-Pottery Neolithic in the desert of northern Arabia,” are based on advanced excavation and scientific analysis conducted at the Sahout site, an archaeological site located on the southern edge of the Nefud Desert between the Arnan and Al-Misma mountains.

The site occupies a strategic geographic position linking internal desert environments with settlement networks connected to the Levant, making it a key location for understanding early human movement and dispersal in the region during the late Ice Age and the beginning of the Holocene.

The study documented human settlement at the site dating back about 13,500 years. Stratified excavations uncovered distinctive stone tools, most notably Helwan bladelets - small, finely crafted stone implements used as arrowheads or as components of hunting tools.

These artifacts are important archaeological indicators associated with the Natufian culture. Their discovery at the Sahout site confirms the presence of human communities possessing advanced technical skills and the ability to adapt to desert environments. It also reflects the connection of the Arabian Peninsula to broader cultural networks extending to the Fertile Crescent during this early period.

The discovery also revealed a later settlement phase dating between approximately 10,300 and 8,700 years ago, characterized by greater settlement density and technological development in stone industries. Archaeologists discovered Abu Salem points, a type of finely crafted arrowhead used in hunting.

These findings provide important evidence of advanced human societies with sophisticated technological skills, reflecting a high level of organization and environmental knowledge during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period and confirming the presence of developed human settlement in northern Arabia during that time.

Geochemical analyses of the obsidian used to manufacture the stone tools showed that the material originated from Jabal Al-Abyad in the Khaybar region, about 190 km south of the site. This indicates the existence of extensive communication and exchange networks, demonstrating that early communities were capable of traveling long distances to obtain resources from distant areas and highlighting advanced levels of cultural and technological interaction among populations in the region.

The study documented a direct link between human settlement and rock art at the site. Carving tools were found within dated archaeological layers alongside artistic elements depicting life-size camels and human figures.

These discoveries provide a precise chronological framework for the development of artistic expression in northern Arabia, confirming that artistic production was an integral part of the cultural life of the communities inhabiting the area during these early periods.

The findings reaffirm the Kingdom’s commitment to cultural preservation, historical understanding, and knowledge development.

Culture

Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque: An Architectural and Cultural Landmark

The Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque in Al-Haytham, Al-Kharj Governorate.(SPA)
The Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque in Al-Haytham, Al-Kharj Governorate.(SPA)
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Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque: An Architectural and Cultural Landmark

The Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque in Al-Haytham, Al-Kharj Governorate.(SPA)
The Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque in Al-Haytham, Al-Kharj Governorate.(SPA)

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Development of Historical Mosques focuses on preserving and restoring historical mosques across Saudi Arabia while enhancing their architectural integrity and highlighting their cultural and religious significance. The initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

The Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque in Al-Haytham, Al-Kharj Governorate, exemplifies this effort. Closely tied to the governorate's history, it has served as a center for worship and community gatherings for decades, the Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday.

Built in 1338 AH during the reign of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman, the mosque features traditional Najdi architecture, constructed from mud and stone with a roof made of tamarisk wood and palm fronds. Historically, it hosted Quranic classes and religious lessons.

Originally covering 314 square meters and accommodating around 90 worshippers, the mosque has been renovated to expand its area to 371 square meters and increase capacity to 150 worshippers, with the addition of essential facilities.

The project blends traditional building practices with modern techniques to ensure sustainability while preserving each mosque’s architectural identity. It also engages local heritage specialists under the supervision of Saudi engineers to achieve four key objectives: rehabilitating mosques for worship, restoring architectural authenticity, showcasing the Kingdom's civilizational heritage, and enhancing the cultural significance of historical mosques for future generations.

Culture

Royal Order Issued on Establishment of Riyadh University of Arts

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
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Royal Order Issued on Establishment of Riyadh University of Arts

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA

A royal order has been issued approving the establishment of the Riyadh University of Arts, an independent educational institution headquartered in Riyadh under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture.

With legal personality and financial and administrative autonomy, the university is dedicated to specialized education in culture and the arts, aiming to cultivate national talent across creative disciplines through advanced academic programs aligned with global best practices and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The royal order authorizes the Minister of Culture to exercise the powers of the Board of Trustees until it is formally established, ensuring the swift completion of organizational procedures to begin operations.

To enhance its academic mission, the university will seek partnerships with prestigious international institutions to exchange expertise and develop high-level educational programs.

This initiative underscores the leadership's commitment to bolstering the Kingdom’s position as a regional cultural hub and fostering the growth of its creative industries.