The world’s only biennale dedicated to the arts of Islamic civilisation is taking place in Jeddah, with hundreds of striking artworks and artefacts on display at Saudi Arabia’s second Islamic Arts Biennale.
The event is running until May 25 at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport. It’s a significant location as the city, which is known as the gateway to Makkah, the birthplace of Islam, has been welcoming Muslim pilgrims for centuries.
While more than 600,000 visitors attended the inaugural event in 2023, this iteration promises to be even bigger, with more than 500 pieces, both historical and contemporary, being showcased. This includes a Kiswah, the drape used to cover the Kaaba, the sacred stone building at the centre of Islam’s most important mosque, the Grand Mosque in Makkah. This marks the first time one has been displayed in its entirety outside of Makkah.
There are also works by the first recorded photographer to capture images of Makkah and the biennale will present the first documentary on the Hajj.
Striking contemporary site-specific commissions by some of the genre’s leading modern artists are also dotted around the vast site, which comprises various galleries and outdoor spaces across 10 hectares.
This event, which has fast become a must-attend on the global art schedule, celebrates artistic creation as an act of devotion, while offering an overview of Islam’s cultural influence.
This page was produced by The National in partnership with Saudi Tourism Authority.
Notable cricketers and political careers
- India: Kirti Azad, Navjot Sidhu and Gautam Gambhir (rumoured)
- Pakistan: Imran Khan and Shahid Afridi (rumoured)
- Sri Lanka: Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan (rumoured)
- Bangladesh (Mashrafe Mortaza)
Disposing of non-recycleable masks
Use your ‘black bag’ bin at home
Do not put them in a recycling bin
Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
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Engine 8.4L V10
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 645hp @ 6,200rpm
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Fuel economy, combined 16.8L / 100km
THREE
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
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Brief scores:
England: 290 & 346
Sri Lanka: 336 & 243
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Western Clubs Champions League:
- Friday, Sep 8 - Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Bahrain
- Friday, Sep 15 – Kandy v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
- Friday, Sep 22 – Kandy v Bahrain
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
