Sharjah 24: The 24th edition of the Sharjah Islamic Festival is set to be launched, next December, under the slogan “Tadaroj” (Gradation). The Festival is organised by the Sharjah Department of Culture, under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah whose vision reflects arts as a creative aspect and a global civilised language.

Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Cultural Affairs Department,  said that the Islamic Arts Festival reflects the vision and directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah regarding the importance of supporting arts and culture. The Festival will host artists from several countries.

Al Qaseer added that Islamic arts are ancient, and highlight the Arab Islamic civilisation.

Al Qaseer affirmed that since the beginning, the Festival has reflected the importance of Islamic arts, and for more than twenty years, it has established an exceptional visual language that has restored these arts to their historical spirit. He also added that the Festival represents a global artistic identity among other arts; and it seeks to support artists from all countries in a cultural and artistic project: the Sharjah Civilisation Project.

The preparatory committee will begin to send invitations to artists from all countries, and participants will have to come up with new ideas compatible with the theme "Gradation". 

The annual Islamic Arts Festival began in 1998 under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah who has since reproduced a new artistic vision for Islamic arts, preserving the aesthetics and historical connotations.