Ministry Of Culture Celebrates 19th Edition Of Al Burda Awards Honouring Islamic Arts And Social Cohesion
The 19th Al Burda Awards ceremony took place at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The event honoured exceptional talents in Islamic arts, including Arabic calligraphy, poetry, illumination, and typographic design. Attendees included prominent cultural figures from the UAE and worldwide.
This year's theme was "Social Cohesion and Solidarity," aligning with the Year of Community 2025. The event highlighted culture's role in fostering unity and understanding. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi noted that the awards promote Islamic arts with a modern vision while preserving authenticity.
Sheikh Salem emphasised that each edition of Al Burda reinforces Islamic art as a platform for cultural dialogue, expressing values like beauty and peace. This aligns with the UAE's commitment to supporting civil dialogue among cultures. The awards have become a global platform celebrating creators in various artistic fields.
The ceremony featured an artistic programme inspired by "Beauty in Unity." It included five musical segments—Beauty of Traditions, Harmony, Diversity, Cooperation, and Alignment—and three spoken segments on unity, contribution, and growth. These elements conveyed that beauty arises from differences coming together.
This year saw submissions from over 50 countries, with more than 1,300 works received across categories like Arabic poetry and calligraphy. This marked a 23% increase from the previous cycle. The diversity of entries showcased the global appeal and relevance of Islamic arts today.
In Typographic Design, Wisam Alsaegh won first place for innovative Arabic letterforms. Nur Syamsi and Yasmin Naeem followed in second and third places respectively. Their work demonstrated contemporary visual styles that reimagined traditional forms.
Recognising Talent Across Categories
The Contemporary Calligraphy category awarded Mohamadreza Bashiri first place for blending modernity with traditional spirit. Mehdi Zamani Boloukani and Nagat Farouk Ibrahim Soliman secured second and third places respectively. Other notable entries included Mohammad Saeed Naghashian in fourth place and Reihaneh Keshtgar Ghasemi in fifth.
In Traditional Calligraphy, Ahmed Elhawary's classical artwork earned him first place. Dr. Belal Mokhtar Salah Atia came second, while Meryem Nuruzihalilani placed third. Ahmadali Namazi was fourth; Ali Mamdou and Ijaz Rahim shared fifth place for their mastery of traditional techniques.
Illumination Artistry Shines
The Traditional Illumination category recognised Mohsen Moradi as the winner for his distinguished ornamental compositions inspired by Islamic heritage. Zahra Doosti took second place; Habibulrahman Soltani was third. Elham Golafrouz Nafouti placed fourth; Afsaneh Mahdavi and Alireza Abasalt shared fifth place.
Nadir Tatar won first place in Contemporary Illumination for fusing tradition with modern approaches. Mihriban Beyza Kaya secured second place; Narges Momeni was third. Their works exemplified successful integration of historical elements into new artistic expressions.
Poetic Expressions Honoured
Nashwa Gad's poem won first place in Classical Arabic Poetry for its depth and refined structure. Emad Abo Ahmad earned second place; Hasan Mubarak Alrubih received third place. Encouragement awards went to Fadila Adimi and Mouaz Ouyoun for their promising talent.
In Nabati Poetry, Hamad Almutiri claimed first prize for expressive strength and linguistic richness. Abdullah Ali Mubarak AlHajri followed in second; Abdul Aziz Al-Omairi was third. Their works highlighted the enduring appeal of this poetic form.
Free Verse Poetry Recognised
Zohair Altaheri topped the Free Verse Poetry category with creative depth conveying human experience. Salma Jaffeli took second place; Ahmed Salama Selim Abed was third. Their contemporary expressions resonated with audiences through innovative language use.
The award aims to honour Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) legacy by promoting beauty, harmony, tolerance, inspiring younger generations towards traditional Islamic arts while encouraging global cultural exchange since its inception in 2004.
Al Burda has established itself as a prestigious platform celebrating pioneers of Islamic arts across Arab-Islamic worlds reinforcing UAE’s status as a hub for cultural diversity excellence humanistic dialogue globally.
With inputs from WAM
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