HH Sheikh Majid Opens Holy Quran Exhibition at The Farjam Collection
More than 100 Pieces from The Farjam Collection on Display until End of October
HH Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) yesterday opened the Farjam Collection’s Holy Quran Exhibition at the Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC) Gate Village. The opening ceremony was attended by HE Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Managing Director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; HE Abdulla Abdulrahman Shibani, Secretary General of The Executive Council in Dubai and HE Ibrahim Mohammed Bu Milha, Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs Adviser to HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and HE Mohammed Al Murr, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
Featuring rare Quranic manuscripts from the 3rd to the 13th century AH, the exhibition presents remarkable examples of the art of calligraphy and illumination.
HE Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman said: “The Farjam Collection’s Holy Quran Exhibition provides exceptional insights into the rich religious, cultural and artistic heritage of the Islamic world. As part of our efforts to promote the appreciation of art and strengthen art’s role in the community, the Dubai International Financial Centre supports events and exhibitions that showcase the Islamic world’s cultural treasures. HH Sheikh Majid’s constant support and encouragement have given a tremendous impetus to our efforts to promote greater understanding of the history and culture of the Islamic world.”
Dr. Nabil F. Safwat, the calligraphy and Islamic art expert who also contributed the preface of the exhibition’s catalogue said: “The remarkable beauty and exquisite technical refinement of the hand-written and illuminated Qurans showcased at the exhibition illustrate the affinity between a beautiful script and its ornamentation. These manuscripts, it is hoped, will delight the eyes of both the scholars and the non-specialists with their dazzling beauty.”.
Emilie Faure, Collection and Exhibitions Manager of The Farjam Collection, commented, “Quranic manuscripts played a crucial role in the history of calligraphy, and by extension in the history of Islamic arts in general. Many of the most talented calligraphers and illuminators partook in the transcription of The Holy Book. Because of its importance in Islamic faith, many magnificent Qurans have survived to this day.”
The Qurans on display at The Farjam Collection reveal a variety of ancient scripts that were employed over the centuries including: Hijazi, Kufic, Thuluth, Mohaqqaq, Naskh, and Rihani. Master calligraphers of the time, as early as the 4th century, followed strict rules of design making their artistic representation of the Holy Quran a masterpiece of illustration, graceful ornamentation and overall sophistication.
The Farjam Collection is open: Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 8pm; Saturday 12pm to 8pm. The Holy Quran exhibition is open for viewing until the end of October. A guided tour of the exhibition, led by Wissam Shawkat and Emilie Faure, will be held on September 2, from 1pm – 1.30pm. All exhibitions and programmes are free and open to the public.
