Portrait marks Ihsanoglu’s achievements

Consul General of Turkey in Jeddah Salih Mutlu Sen presented to OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu his portrait by world famous Turkish artist Ismail Acar during a ceremony at the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah yesterday.
The portrait will be on permanent display at the General Secretariat to symbolize Ihsanoglu's services to the Muslim world and the humanity at large as secretary-general of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
“It's also a tribute to Professor Ihsanoglu, who initiated the reform process at the OIC, which culminated in the adoption of the New OIC Charter in 2008, the 10-year Action Plan in 2005 and finally the change of name and logo of the OIC in 2011,” Sen said.
In the painting Ihsanoglu is depicted as standing by the new OIC flag, which bears the organization's new logo. At the heart of the new logo is the Holy Kaaba.
During the ceremony Ihsanoglu spoke on the phone with Acar and thanked him for the painting. He also commended his superior artistic skills. Acar’s works have been showcased in international exhibitions from Europe to America and from Asia to the Balkans.
Acar is best known for the themes he selects for his collections, ranging from caftans to Istanbul, the Aya Sofya to Ottoman calligraphy and to tulips and roses, which were essential motifs in Ottoman culture.