Al Burda Award 2024 highlights UAE and AKDN cultural synergy

Rahim Aga Khan, who has been actively involved in the governance of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), where he chairs the AKDN Environment and Climate Committee, attended (Dec. 18) the 18th edition of the Al Burda Award ceremony, a celebration of Islamic art and culture hosted by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Culture. Rahim Aga Khan’s presence highlighted AKDN’s shared commitment with the UAE to fostering cultural dialogue and advancing pluralism through arts. Launched in 2004, Al Burda Award derives its name from the famous ‘Poem of the Mantle’ (Qasida Al Burda), in praise of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), composed by the 13th century Egyptian mystic, Al-Busiri. The theme of this year’s Award was Al-Noor (Light), highlighting the power of art to illuminate pathways to understanding, peace and innovation. The Award recognises excellence in Arabic calligraphy, poetry and Islamic ornamentation and winning works become part of the Al Burda Collection.

Alongside the ceremony, an exhibition is being held to mark 20 years of the Al Burda Award. It has been curated by three young Emirati museum professionals who spent four weeks earlier this year in a capacity-building residency programme at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada. The residency is part of a Memorandum of Understanding established last year between the Aga Khan Museum and the Ministry of Culture, to empower intercultural educational and artistic initiatives for young professionals, intellectuals and art practitioners, through annual residencies.

Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, Canada.

It includes workshops for students and young professionals on intercultural dialogue, local museology, museum education and Islamic art and internships and fellowships for young Emirati curators and museum professionals in curation, conservation, museum education, collection management and academic research. Also, under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and as part of the activities accompanying the ceremony for honouring the winners of the 18th edition of Al Burda Award 2024, the Ministry of Culture has organised an art exhibition titled ‘As the Sun Appears from Beyond’ at the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum (till Jan. 19, 2025).

It showcases Islamic art’s evolution over two decades and features award-winning pieces from the Ministry of Culture’s collection. The exhibition also focuses on the concept of ‘Light’ and links it to the core theme of this year’s Al Burda Award. The theme draws inspiration from Surah Al-Ma’idah, verse 15: “There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book.” The display takes visitors on a tour through more than 60 works of art in various artistic fields, including Arabic calligraphy, ornamentation, and poetry, bringing to life the ability of Islamic art to blend classical methods of expression and modern creativity.

Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi (left) and Rahim Aga Khan at Louvre Abu Dhabi.

It follows the first edition of Al Burda Grant programme and the ‘Capacity Building Programme’, and the collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and the Aga Khan Museum, under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two parties. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture, said that “the exhibition ‘As the Sun Appears from Beyond’ is an exceptional opportunity to celebrate Islamic art and its development throughout the ages, and an affirmation of the UAE’s commitment and belief that art is a vital tool for promoting cultural dialogue between peoples.”

Rahim Aga Khan, who attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition, said: “The ceremony and the related exhibition marking 20 years of Al Burda Award highlight the importance of pluralism and the great potential of art and culture to bring people together for peace and understanding.” The exhibition was put together by Emirati curators Fatima Al Mahmoud, Sarah Bin Safwan, and Sheikha Al Zaabi, along with Dr. Ulrike Al Khamis, CEO of the Aga Khan Museum. It is a tribute to innovators in the Islamic artistic domains who presented works focusing on the concept of ‘Light’. Visitors begin their tour in the Archive Section, which documents the development of Al Burda Award over the past two decades. The zone offers a visual historical perspective featuring photographs and videos that highlight key milestones of the Award since its launch, along with the artists who contributed to shaping its legacy.

Visitors then move to the Poetry Section, which showcases the winning works from the various editions of Al Burda Award; poetry is considered one of the finest forms of Islamic artistic expression. The section presents a collection of poems in classical Arabic and Nabati poetry, which reflects the local dialect. The selected poems address the theme of ‘Light’ and celebrate Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a symbol of light and guidance. Another section is dedicated to exploring the aesthetics of the Hilya (Ornament), which is a distinctive type of Arabic calligraphy and highlights the characteristics of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The exhibition also features a collection of works in the section ‘Holy Qur’an: Noor Ala Noor’, focusing on Qur’anic chapters such as Surah An-Najm, Surah Ar-Rahman, and Surah At-Tawbah, where calligraphic works interact with decorative arts. The ‘Hadith and Khutbat Hajjat Al-Wada (Farewell Sermon)’ Section displays artistic reflections on the key values of unity, mercy, and spiritual guidance called for by the Prophet (PBUH), in addition to the ‘Qasidat Al Burda and Nahj Al Burda’ Section celebrating classical Arabic poetry through traditional calligraphy, geometric patterns, and works of modern art.