Al-Omar: Mosque Construction Consolidates Kuwait's Authentic Values
The representative of the Prime Minister’s Highness, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology and Acting Minister of Media and Culture, Omar Al-Omar, inaugurated the latest exhibition by the Dar Al Athar Al-Islamyyat (Institute of Islamic Art), titled “Ihsan: The Art of Beauty in Mosques.” The exhibition, held under the patronage of the Prime Minister’s Highness at the Al-Amrikanee Cultural Center, opened to the public yesterday, Thursday.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Al-Omar stated that the bright history of Islam has never separated the spirituality of worship from the beauty of craftsmanship; rather, it has elevated Ihsan (excellence) as a guiding principle that permeates the details of architecture and construction. Thus, mosques throughout the ages have served as oases of tranquility and mirrors reflecting the purity of faith and refined human sensibility. He emphasized that Kuwait, under the wise guidance of its leadership, consistently affirms that the material and spiritual dimensions of mosque architecture are two sides of the same coin: the architecture of buildings enhances their splendor, while the architecture of hearts fills them with faith, love, and brotherhood. He added, “Through this event, we renew our commitment to advancing every effort that consolidates these authentic values and highlights the bright civilizational face of our beloved country.”
He noted that what distinguishes this exhibition is that it originated from children’s questions and curiosity when they admired the beauty of mosques and asked how such works were created and why such great effort was devoted to perfecting them. From these questions emerged the idea of the exhibition and its educational journey, making children key partners in the experience.
Minister Al-Omar also recalled the esteemed contributions of the late Sheikh Nasser Al-Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah (may God have mercy on him), highlighting his passion for art and Islamic heritage. He noted the Sheikh’s dedication to ensuring that the Al-Sabah Collection served Kuwait and enriched its cultural life. He praised the efforts of Sheikhah Hessa Al-Sabah Al-Salim, General Supervisor of Dar Al Athar Al-Islamyyat, and her continuous patronage of initiatives that enrich the cultural and civilizational landscape of our “beloved homeland.” He also thanked the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, as well as all staff and organizers of the exhibition, for their dedication and outstanding preparation for this distinguished event.
For her part, Exhibition Coordinator Engineer Maha Al-Isa said in her address that the goal from the outset was not merely to provide children with information about Islamic art, but to give them space for inquiry, research, and exploration. “We began with a simple question: Is there art in the mosque?” she added. She explained that every answer the children found led to a new question, until they ultimately arrived at a deeper one: Why does a person devote so much time and effort to making a functional object beautiful? From there, they arrived at the meaning of Ihsan. She clarified that the true value of the project lies in making the museum a space for learning and skill development, and using Islamic art as a means to teach our children how to observe, ask questions, think, collaborate, and express their ideas. She noted that children in this exhibition were not merely recipients of knowledge or museum visitors, but active partners in the journey of discovery and meaning-making.
On his part, Anwar Al-Mutairi, Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Shell, said in a similar address that the concept of Ihsan represents a profound human value that transcends the boundaries of art and architecture; it reflects the pursuit of excellence and doing one’s best in service of society. This value is among the principles we believe in at Shell. Al-Mutairi expressed “pride” in partnering with Dar Al Athar Al-Islamyyat, the “prestigious institution,” which succeeds in reviving heritage and presenting it to new generations through innovative methods that make history a source of inspiration for learning, creativity, and discovery.
For his part, Khaled Al-Shamlan, Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Finance House (KFH), emphasized in his speech the importance of the comprehensive partnership and continuous cooperation with the Department of Islamic Antiquities over the past years, noting that “this partnership gains special significance, stemming from the conviction that Islamic civilization represents an integrated system of values and principles that KFH is committed to embodying in its operations, partnerships, and sustainable initiatives.” Al-Shamlan added that supporting the exhibition reflects a belief in the message it carries to reinforce the value of philanthropy among new generations, highlighting that excellence, innovation, and creativity are “fundamental pillars in the journey of the KFH Group, whether in its banking activities or through its social responsibility and support for cultural and developmental initiatives.” The opening ceremony was attended by Sheikh Hessa Sabah Al-Salem, Managing Partner of the Al-Salem Antiquities Group and General Supervisor of the Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyat, along with a number of guests and interested attendees.
