alt text here

Islamic Arts Biennale 2025

Travelling Exhibition

Museum of Islamic Art

Until 25 May 2025

Aga Khan Award–winning Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah

Organised by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation

Eight remarkable objects from the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) are being showcased at the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025, reflecting the Biennale's theme of 'Numbers.'

Share with a friend

Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 is the first and only Biennale dedicated to the arts of Islamic civilisation, presenting a harmonious blend of historical artefacts and contemporary works. Among the highlights are eight masterpieces from the Museum of Islamic Art, each offering a window into the numerical and mathematical ingenuity that defines Islamic art and its global influence. This year’s focus brings an enriched perspective to the Biennale, further strengthening the collaboration between the Museum of Islamic Art /Qatar Museums and the Diriyah Biennale Foundation.

The objects being displayed in the AlMadar section of the Biennale, meaning"the orbit" in Arabic, include:

  1. Talpur Dynasty Curved Sword, 19th century CE
  2. Mughal Kris Dagger, 17th century CE
  3. Kitāb Suwar al-Kawākib al-Thābita – Buyid Astronomical Manuscript, 12th century CE
  4. Mughal Celestial Globe, 17th & 20th century CE
  5. Timurid Decorative Brass Bowl, 15th century CE
  6. North African Zinc Alloy and Wood Printing Block, 19th century CE
  7. Darfur Sultanate Ornate Sword, 19th & 20th century CE
  8. Delhi Sultanate Embroidered Cotton Shirt, 14th century CE

Highlights from MIA's Collection

tbc

Mughal Kris Dagger, 17th Century CE. Image Courtesy of Qatar Museums and Museum of Islamic Art

tbc

Delhi Sultanate Embroidered Cotton Shirt, 14th Century CE. Image Courtesy of Qatar Museums and Museum of Islamic Art

tbc

Kitāb Suwar al-Kawākib al-Thābita – Buyid Astronomical Manuscript, 12th Century CE. Image Courtesy of Qatar Museums and Museum of Islamic Art

tbc

Mughal Celestial Globe, 17th & 20th Century CE. Image Courtesy of Qatar Museums and Museum of Islamic Art

tbc

Timurid Decorative Brass Bowl, 15th Century CE. Image Courtesy of Qatar Museums and Museum of Islamic Art

“ It is with great pride that Qatar Museums participates in the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 in Jeddah, a distinguished event that allows us to showcase the profound legacy of Islamic art and its intellectual heritage. ”

Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr, Director of the Museum of Islamic Art

The 2025 edition, titled And all that is in between, features seven thematic components, including an expansive outdoor exhibition space. Qatar Museums’ expanded contribution for 2025 reaffirms its commitment to promoting cultural dialogue and highlighting the shared heritage of Islamic art.

About the Islamic Arts Biennale 2023

The first edition of the Biennale in 2023, titled Awwal Bait, made a lasting impact by showcasing the rich heritage of Islamic artistry. During this debut, the Museum of Islamic Art contributed by lending four remarkable pieces, reflecting its ongoing commitment to promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of Islamic art and culture.

Explore MIA's Treasures of Islamic Art

insert text here

Watch

Treasures of Islamic Art

Watch the Treasures of Islamic Art – a four-part series highlighting rare and unique objects from the collections at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA).
Insert text here

Read

Collection Highlights: Five Qur’an Manuscripts

The Museum of Islamic Art’s impressive collection of manuscripts ranges from the famous Abbasid Blue Qur’an, which is known as one of the finest and rarest manuscripts in the Islamic world, to pages from the largest Qur’an in the world, the Timurid Baysunghur Qur’an.
Picture of “Burzuy Presents 'Kalilah wa Dimnah' to King Nushirvan” of Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp at the Museum of Islamic Art

Read

Collection Highlight: The Shahnameh

This 16th-century manuscript was commissioned by a Persian ruler, as a status symbol and political statement.