Historical miniature paintings depict Holy Mosques before expansion

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (REUTERS file photo)
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Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (REUTERS file photo)
Historical miniature paintings depict Holy Mosques before expansion
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The documentation of the Two Holy Mosques in miniature paintings offer a glimpse in to the past, before the expansions of the sites. (Supplied)
Historical miniature paintings depict Holy Mosques before expansion
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The documentation of the Two Holy Mosques in miniature paintings offer a glimpse in to the past, before the expansions of the sites. (Supplied)
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Updated 12 February 2024
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Historical miniature paintings depict Holy Mosques before expansion

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy city of Makkah, S
  • Murshid said that black and white as well as colored drawings of the Two Holy Mosques reveal many architectural elements featured in Islamic architecture, namely the Kaaba, minarets, domes, interior space, pulpits, lanterns, Maqam Ibrahim, arches, doors

MAKKAH: Throughout Islamic history, art has played a pivotal role in capturing cultural development and marking important moments in time.

The documentation of the Two Holy Mosques in miniature paintings owned by Omar Murshid, a Saudi enthusiast in Islamic civilization and arts, offer a glimpse into the past, before the expansions of the sites.

Murshid said that the paintings in his possession showcase the evolution of Islamic architecture — in tandem with the emergence of Islamic statehood — and its contribution to civilization and artistic imagination.




The documentation of the Two Holy Mosques in miniature paintings offer a glimpse in to the past, before the expansions of the sites. (Supplied)

Speaking about the diversity of the art forms of the time, he said: “When talking about arts, namely Islamic arts, we talk about wide and various types of art, including drawings, decorations, Arabic calligraphy, interwoven geometric decorations, sword hilts, shields, ornaments, walls of mosques, domes and even graphics coupled with texts. Paper making — a widespread process in the Abbasid era — had a positive impact on arts and calligraphy.”

Noting some of the prominent artists of the past, he added: “Yahya Al-Wasiti was a painter who excelled in these arts and whose name was prominently featured in the Islamic heritage in the mid-13th century. Other books including miniature paintings were also featured after Kalila wa-Dimna, namely the book of songs by Abu Al-Faraj Al-Isfahani.”

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• The historic artworks also feature residential houses and city walls, surrounded by geographical elements of mountains and palm trees.

• Arabic calligraphy and Qur’anic verses are also featured in some paintings.

Miniature paintings are pictures drawn and decorated on paper in different sizes, Murshid said. These paintings reveal the literary, scientific, social, or architectural context of the period. There are various schools of miniature paintings, including the Baghdadi, Mongol-Timurid and Mamluk schools.




The documentation of the Two Holy Mosques in miniature paintings offer a glimpse in to the past, before the expansions of the sites. (Supplied)

Some miniature paintings, he added, document “the architectural and civilizational aspects of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah through pilgrims who performed their Hajj and Umrah rituals and visited the Prophet’s Mosque.”

Murshid said that black and white as well as colored drawings of the Two Holy Mosques reveal many architectural elements featured in Islamic architecture, namely the Kaaba, minarets, domes, interior space, pulpits, lanterns, Maqam Ibrahim, arches, doors and more.

The works also feature residential houses and city walls, surrounded by geographical elements of mountains and palm trees. Arabic calligraphy and Qur’anic verses are also featured in some.

Murshid said that miniature paintings are “works of art characterized by the abundance of details, beautiful decorations, and finely outlined shapes showing the aspects of life, religious rituals and architecture of the Two Holy Mosques from an Islamic point of view.”

 


Falcons compete for $200,000 in Al-Mellwah race

The Saudi Falcons Club is organizing the Al-Mellwah race from Oct. 7 to 12 at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh. (SPA)
The Saudi Falcons Club is organizing the Al-Mellwah race from Oct. 7 to 12 at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh. (SPA)
Updated 57 min 49 sec ago
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Falcons compete for $200,000 in Al-Mellwah race

The Saudi Falcons Club is organizing the Al-Mellwah race from Oct. 7 to 12 at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh. (SPA)
  • In the race, falcons will compete to cover 200 meters in the shortest time to qualify for the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival

RIYADH: The Saudi Falcons Club is organizing the Al-Mellwah race from Oct. 7 to 12 at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh.

This event aims to preserve falconry heritage for future generations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

In the race, falcons will compete to cover 200 meters in the shortest time to qualify for the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival.

This year’s race will feature a category for young falcons, or “farkh,” including hur, shaheen, gyr pure, gyr shaheen, gyr taba, and mathlooth gyr.

A total of SR750,000 ($200,000) in prizes will be awarded to 18 winners in each of the six rounds.

Club spokesperson Walid Al-Taweel noted that the Al-Mellwah race will coincide with the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition, starting on Oct. 3, featuring over 400 exhibitors from 45 countries.

Two Saudi royal reserves will also participate in the exhibition, which will run until Oct. 12 in Malham.

The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority’s pavilion will showcase various ecotourism projects and significant historical sites, including the King Abdulaziz Palace and the Laynah heritage market. It will also present information on the Shamal Reserve for Sustainable Hunting, including types of prey and permitted hunting methods.

The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority’s pavilion will highlight the reserve’s natural and historical components, biodiversity, initiatives, and achievements in line with the environmental objectives of Vision 2030.

The authority aims to raise awareness about preserving natural resources for future generations and emphasizes community involvement in environmental protection initiatives.


KSrelief distribues food, shelter aid in Yemen, Sudan

KSrelief distribues food, shelter aid in Yemen, Sudan
Updated 02 October 2024
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KSrelief distribues food, shelter aid in Yemen, Sudan

KSrelief distribues food, shelter aid in Yemen, Sudan
  • This aid, part of the 2024 date distribution project, benefited 36,000 people

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency, KSrelief, distributed 6,000 cartons of dates in one day to needy individuals in Arma and Jardan districts of Shabwah governorate, Yemen.

This aid, part of the 2024 date distribution project, benefited 36,000 people, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Additionally, KSrelief distributed 358 food baskets in Al-Shamayatayn district of Taiz governorate, assisting 2,506 individuals from 358 vulnerable families affected by floods and heavy rainfall.

The agency also provided 370 shelter bags and 100 tents in Mawza district of Taiz governorate, benefiting 2,220 individuals from 370 families.

In Sudan, KSrelief distributed 940 food baskets in Kassala State, helping 5,307 individuals from vulnerable families as part of the second phase of the 2024 Food Security Support project.

KSrelief has implemented 3,068 projects worth more than $7 billion across 102 countries, collaborating with 450 local, regional and international partners since the agency’s inception in May 2015.

According to a recent report, the countries that benefited the most from KSrelief’s initiatives include Yemen ($4.4 billion), Palestine ($492 million), Syria ($441 million), Somalia ($228 million), and other countries ($441 million).

The programs encompass food security, early recovery, water sanitation and hygiene, health, camp coordination, education, protection, emergency aid and nutrition.


German publisher showcases rare manuscripts at Riyadh book fair

German publisher showcases rare manuscripts at Riyadh book fair
Updated 02 October 2024
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German publisher showcases rare manuscripts at Riyadh book fair

German publisher showcases rare manuscripts at Riyadh book fair

RIYADH: German publishing house Mueller and Schindler is participating in the Riyadh International Book Fair for the third consecutive year with a showcase of rare manuscripts and books.

The annual gathering’s literary treasures are a major attraction for book lovers and academics. 

Mueller and Schindler specialize in creating high-quality replicas of historic texts that are typically inaccessible to the public.

Among their remarkable offerings are the famed notes of Leonardo da Vinci, and a selection of Arabic works, including the renowned Blue Qur’an. 

Their exhibit at the fair highlights not only the beauty of these manuscripts but also their historical significance.   

The owner and CEO of Mueller and Schindler, Charlotte Kramer, elaborating on their mission, told Arab News: “We provide facsimiles, which derive from the Latin term ‘fac simile,’ meaning ‘make it similar.’” 

A facsimile is a faithful reproduction of a manuscript or printed book, capturing all the visible characteristics of the original — vibrant colors, gold and silver embellishments, as well as age marks and irregularities.

Their facsimile editions are published in limited quantities, combining technical precision with the spirit of the original work. 

Highlighting the uniqueness of their offerings, Kramer noted: “One of our notable replicas is Katta Langar Qur’an, which dates back over 1,200 years, making it one of the oldest Qur’anic fragments. This fragment, written in Hijazi calligraphy, is significant for the development of the Qur’anic text.” 

In addition to the Katta Langar Qur’an manuscript, Mueller and Schindler showcased a Moroccan Qur’an, comprised of 50 volumes, meticulously crafted in Kufic script.

They also presented manuscripts containing prayers of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as scientific Arabic texts, including Al-Sufi’s “Book of the Fixed Stars.”

The enthusiasm of the Saudi audience has made a lasting impression on the team. 

“We are thrilled to be here for the third time. The people are incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely interested in our work. They engage with us, asking insightful questions and listening intently to our explanations,” Kramer said.    

The fair concludes on Saturday.


Riyadh forum to fuel SMEs, startups in Kingdom

Riyadh forum to fuel SMEs, startups in Kingdom
Updated 02 October 2024
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Riyadh forum to fuel SMEs, startups in Kingdom

Riyadh forum to fuel SMEs, startups in Kingdom
  • Event will host Entrepreneurship World Cup finals, with participants from 151 countries vying for $1m in prizes

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, known as Monsha’at, will host the Biban 24 forum, themed “Global Destination for Opportunities,” from Nov. 5-9 in Riyadh.

The event will gather over 250 speakers and 1,350 exhibitors, representing local and international entrepreneurs, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The forum aims to boost entrepreneurial growth, promote competitiveness, and increase the number of startups.

It also seeks to identify investment opportunities in the public and private sectors and introduce youths to innovative ideas and strategies aligned with Vision 2030, which emphasizes small and medium enterprises’ contribution to the gross domestic product.

Sami Al-Husseini, Monsha’at's governor, said the forum provides a “platform for entrepreneurs to explore opportunities, promote SME growth, and foster innovation and collaboration between local and global entrepreneurs.”

He added that the forum also offers “a space for interaction among changemakers and supporters of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, contributing to a prosperous future.”

More than 150 entities from the public and private sectors, supporting SMEs in areas such as capacity building and e-commerce, will participate to help address challenges hindering business growth.

The forum will host the finals of the Entrepreneurship World Cup, with participants from 151 countries competing for up to $1 million in cash prizes. Saudi Arabia will host the final qualifiers and closing ceremony.

Around 420 training workshops, expected to benefit over 19,000 participants, will cover topics supporting entrepreneurship and SME growth.

The forum will feature nine sections tailored to different SME needs, including start, enablement, e-commerce, funding, innovation, startups, franchising, fast-growing enterprises, and market access.

It will also see several launches and agreements aimed at fostering SME investment and growth through diverse financing solutions.


Al-Mawaddah joins World Family Organization to share Saudi expertise on global stage

Al-Mawaddah joins World Family Organization to share Saudi expertise on global stage
Updated 02 October 2024
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Al-Mawaddah joins World Family Organization to share Saudi expertise on global stage

Al-Mawaddah joins World Family Organization to share Saudi expertise on global stage

RIYADH: Al-Mawaddah Association for Family Development has joined the World Family Organization with the unanimous approval of the organization’s board of directors, becoming the first Saudi association to do so since the Kingdom’s membership 50 years ago.

Al-Mawaddah’s general manager, Mohammed Al-Radhi, said that the move marks a significant step toward achieving a sustainable global impact in family development.

He emphasized the importance of exchanging experiences and fostering international cooperation, positioning the association’s national expertise on a global stage.

Al-Mawaddah will host the World Family Summit 2024, providing a platform for developing strategies to empower families worldwide, Al-Radhi said.

He added that the association was also working on a unified global index to measure family stability, aiming to address challenges and propose solutions while showcasing Islamic values and national culture.

Al-Radhi said that joining the organization aligned with the association’s strategy for global transformation, under the guidance of Saudi authorities.

Faisal Al-Samanoudi, chairman of Al-Mawaddah’s board, highlighted the leadership’s commitment to empowering the nonprofit sector and supporting its globalization.

Since its foundation in 2003, Al-Mawaddah has supported more than 700,000 families through protection, training and awareness initiatives, and has trained more than 5,000 family practitioners in line with international standards.

The association has won 14 awards for institutional, digital and social excellence, implemented 32 government competitions, and facilitated knowledge transfer to more than 200 charitable organizations.

The World Family Organization, founded in 1947, serves as an international platform for sharing best practices in family development.