The Islamic Biennale returned to Jeddah for its second edition, running from January 25 to May 25, 2025, offering a remarkable cultural experience that showcased Islamic art from the past and present. Following the success of its inaugural edition, which attracted over 600,000 visitors, this year’s event welcomed an even larger audience to the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport, further cementing Jeddah’s status as a global cultural hub.
The 2025 edition carried the theme "And All That is in Between", focusing on the balance between tradition and modernity in Islamic art. The exhibition highlighted the diversity of Islamic artistic expression, blending historical influences with contemporary creativity. Artists from across the Islamic world contributed pieces that reflected cultural heritage in a modern artistic language, creating a bridge between past and present.
The Biennale 2025 featured over 500 historical and contemporary pieces, including ancient manuscripts, sculptures, paintings, calligraphy, and textiles. The event also hosted 30 international art institutions from Egypt, Indonesia, France, the UK, Qatar, Spain, and beyond, fostering a rich artistic dialogue between cultures.
Some of the world’s most renowned museums contributed rare Islamic artifacts, including the Louvre in Paris, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Ahmed Baba Institute in Timbuktu. Additionally, the exhibition showcased exclusive artifacts from the Holy Sites of Makkah and Madinah, offering visitors an unparalleled experience that combined spiritual depth with artistic beauty.
The Biennale 2025 welcomed over 20 contemporary artists from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region, and beyond, presenting exclusive new works. Notable artists included Fatma Abdulhadi, Saeed Gebaan, Nour Jaouda, Tomo Nasseri, and Charwei Tsai. This event provided a global stage for Muslim artists, allowing them to connect with international audiences and gain broader recognition in the art world.
The Islamic Biennale played a vital role in fostering collaboration between Saudi cultural institutions, with key participation from the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), the King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries in Madinah, and the King Fahad National Library in Riyadh. This event opened new opportunities for artistic dialogue, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading hub for contemporary Islamic creativity.
The Islamic Biennale 2025, held at the Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, provided a one-of-a-kind opportunity for art lovers to immerse themselves in the evolution of Islamic artistic expression. It successfully combined historical reverence with modern innovation, offering visitors an inspiring perspective on the beauty and depth of Islamic culture.
Started my career in Automotive Journalism in 2015. Even though I'm a pharmacist, hanging around cars all the time has created a passion for the automotive industry since day 1.
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