As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award
Overview
This richly illustrated catalogue was published on the occasion of the exhibition As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award, offering an exploration of artistic and spiritual expression rooted in the diverse traditions of Islamic art and culture. Spanning two decades of the UAE Ministry of Culture’s Al Burda Award, the publication features a selection of artworks and essays that highlight the profound legacy of this initiative.
The exhibition’s theme of Al Noor (Divine Light), inspired by the 49th verse of Al Busiri’s Qasidat Al Burda (Ode of the Mantle), celebrates the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a source of divine light and guidance. The journey unfolds through a meditative and immersive progression of artworks—from interpretations of Qur’anic verses to expressions of Qasidat Al Burda and Ahmed Shawqi’s Nahj Al Burda. The exhibition culminates in works inspired by the Prophet’s (PBUH) Farewell Sermon—an eternal call to compassion, unity, and enlightenment.
Published by the UAE Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, and Kaph Books under the inaugural Al Burda Grant program, this catalogue serves as a landmark publication that bridges classical Islamic heritage with contemporary practice. With contributions by Farhad Farjam, Salem Faisal Al Qassimi, Bita Pourvash, Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès, and Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, it is an essential resource for collectors, curators, academics, and readers interested in Islamic art, spirituality, and cross-cultural dialogue.
About the Authors
Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi
Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi is an Emirati columnist and researcher on social, political, and cultural affairs in the Arab Gulf States. He is also the founder of Barjeel Art Foundation, an independent initiative established in 2010 to contribute to the intellectual development of the art scene in the Arab region by building a prominent and publicly accessible art collection in the United Arab Emirates. He has taught “Politics of Modern Middle Eastern Art” at New York University, Yale University, Georgetown University, Boston College, and SciencesPo, France. Al Qassemi is co-editor with Todd Reisz of Building Sharjah (2021), a book that documents the modern architecture of the city of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
Ulrike Al Khamis
Ulrike Al Khamis is director and CEO of Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. She has over thirty years of experience as a curator and senior advisor for international museums and cultural projects, working with institutions including the National Museums of Scotland and Glasgow. More recently Al Khamis served as co-director at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization as well as senior strategic advisor to the Sharjah Museums Department in the United Arab Emirates.
Fatma Al Mahmoud
Fatma Al Mahmoud is the managing partner at Hamzat Wasl Studio, where she leads culturally relevant projects. With a strong background in art and design, Al Mahmoud has significantly contributed to the regional creative scene, emphasizing community engagement and support for emerging talents. Her experience includes serving as the head of 1971 – Design Space and working closely with Dubai Design Week as an independent curator. Al Mahmoud’s academic journey began with studying visual arts at Zayed University, Dubai, followed by roles at the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Maraya Art Centre. Al Mahmoud has now joined the Museum of the Future as programs senior manager, where she continues to shape the cultural and creative landscape.
Sara bin Safwan
Sara bin Safwan works as a curator in both institutional and independent spheres. She received her MA in postcolonial culture and global Policy at Goldsmiths University, London (2023) and founded Banat Collective and Studio Salasil. Bin Safwan also works as a curator for Guggenheim Abu Dhabi where she leads on a number of acquisitions, commissions, and public programs with a focus on contemporary art from West Asia and North Africa, particularly the Gulf. Bin Safwan has participated in Youth Assembly, Jameel Arts Centre (2019); Praxis Curatorial Residency with Bombay Institute for Critical Analysis and Research (BICAR) and 421 Arts Campus and Alserkal Research Residency (2024). She has curated a number of international and local exhibitions such as “As We Gaze Upon Her,” Abu Dhabi (2021); “Beyond A Reasonable Doubt,” London (2023); “Crystal Clear,” Dubai (2024) and “backbone,” Dubai (2024).
Shaikha Al Zaabi
Shaikha Al Zaabi is a senior production officer at Louvre Abu Dhabi, dedicated to bridging communities through innovative programming and unique cultural experiences that explore diverse facets of human history and artistic expression. As a cultural programmer, Al Zaabi is curating and leading the cultural program at Louvre Abu Dhabi. She blends scholarly research with creative vision to bring museum collections and exhibitions to life through performing arts, talks, film screenings, and public engagement. Al Zaabi’s programming philosophy revolves around creating meaningful connections between people, art, and cultures as well as making museums inclusive spaces that foster learning, inspiration, and curiosity.
Salem Faisal Al Qassimi
Salem Faisal Al Qassimi is a multidisciplinary graphic designer, educator, and entrepreneur based in Sharjah. He is the founder and principal of Fikra, a design-led educational platform that encompasses Fikra Design Studio (est. 2006), Fikra Campus (est. 2017), and the Fikra Graphic Design Biennial (est. 2018). His work critically explores the contemporary cultural identity of the United Arab Emirates and the broader Arab region, shaping the discourse on Arab visual culture and identity. Al Qassimi holds an MFA in graphic design from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and has served as an instructor at RISD, as well as an assistant professor of design at both the American University of Sharjah (AUS) and New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD).
Bita Pourvash
Bita Pourvash is the associate curator at the Aga Khan Museum. Since joining in 2012, she has been involved in numerous exhibitions and curatorial projects, including co-curating “Light: Visionary Perspectives” (2024), “Transforming Traditions: The Arts of 19th-century Iran” (2018) and curating contemporary installations “Cultured Pallets” (2023) and “Faig Ahmed: Dissolving Order” (2019). In her role, Bita oversees the museum collection’s biannual-themed installations. She has contributed to several exhibition catalogs and delivered lectures on the museum’s collection. Prior to joining the Aga Khan Museum, she worked as a researcher at the Royal Ontario Museum and as a lecturer at York University, Semnan University, and the Higher Education Center for Iranian Heritage.
Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès
Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès is the founding director of the Khatt Foundation and Khatt Books publishers, in Amsterdam. She works as an independent design curator, researcher, writer, designer, and publisher. She holds degrees in graphic design and design history from Leiden University (PhD, 2017), Yale University (MFA, 1990), and Rhode Island School of Design (BFA, 1987). Smitshuijzen AbiFarès specializes in typographic design research and Arab design history. She is the author of several seminal books on the topic. She is editor-in-chief of Khatt Books’ Arabic Design Library series and authored two books in this series.
Technical Details
- Publication Date:
- Sunday, June 1, 2025
- Language:
- English & Arabic
- Format:
- Hardcover
- Dimensions:
- 30 x 23 cm
- Weight:
- 0.5 kg
- ISBN:
- 978-614-8035-92-0
- Number of Pages:
- 320
- Publisher:
- Kaph Books