"Al-Itsan"... When Children Discover the Secret Beauty of Mosques

Al-Ihsan did not begin with a ready-made definition or a pre-packaged answer, but with a question posed by children aged between 6 and 12: “Is there art in the mosque?”

From this simple question, a journey spanning nearly two years unfolded, involving research, observation, experimentation, and the discovery of crafts, culminating in an exhibition titled “Al-Ihsan: Crafting Beauty in Mosques.” This is the latest exhibition at the Dar Al Athar Al Islaniyyah (Institute for the Study of Islamic Art), which was inaugurated on Wednesday by Omar Saud Al-Omer, representative of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, and Acting Minister of Media and Culture, at the Al-Amrikanee Cultural Center. The event was attended by Sheikhah Hessa Sabah Al-Sabah, General Supervisor of Dar Al Athar Al Islaniyyah and Owner Partner of the Al-Sabah Antiquities Collection, along with several ambassadors and guests.

In a speech during the opening ceremony, Al-Omer emphasized that the bright Islamic history never separated the spirituality of worship from the beauty of mastery. Rather, it made Al-Ihsan (excellence) an overarching 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 the refinement of human taste.

He clarified that Kuwait, under the patronage of its wise leadership, consistently affirms that the physical and spiritual architecture of mosques 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 that this event reaffirms the commitment to advancing support for every effort that consolidates these authentic values and highlights Kuwait’s bright civilizational face. He noted that what distinguishes the exhibition is that it began with children’s questions and curiosity as they admired the beauty of mosques, wondering: “How were these works made?” and “Why was such effort invested in perfecting them?”

He stated that these questions formed the starting point for the exhibition’s concept and its educational journey, making children key partners in the experience. He recalled the esteemed achievements of the late Sheikh Nasser Al-Sabah Al-Ahmad (may God have mercy on him), his passion for Islamic art and heritage, and his dedication to ensuring that the Al-Sabah Antiquities Collection serves Kuwait and enriches its cultural life.

Al-Omer praised Sheikhah Hessa Sabah Al-Sabah’s efforts and her continuous patronage of everything that enriches Kuwait’s cultural and civilizational landscape. He also commended the efforts of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, as well as all staff and organizers of the exhibition, for their dedication and exceptional preparation for this event.

For her part, Exhibition Coordinator Eng. Maha Khaled Al-Eissa clarified 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.

She stated that the journey began with a simple question: “Is there art in the mosque?” She pointed out that every answer the children arrived at led them to a new question, until they ultimately reached a deeper one: “Why does a person invest so much time and effort to make something functional beautiful?”

She added: “From here, they arrived at the meaning of Al-Ihsan.” She emphasized that the true value of the project lies in making the museum a space for learning and skill development, and in making Islamic art a means to teach children how to observe, ask questions, think, collaborate, and express their ideas. She concluded by stressing that the children were not merely recipients of knowledge or museum visitors in this exhibition; rather, they were partners in the journey of discovery and meaning-making.

For his part, Khaled Yousef Al-Shamlan, Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Group, emphasized the importance of the integrated partnership and continuous cooperation with the Dar Al Athar Al-Islamiyyet (DAI) over the past years, considering that this partnership holds special significance stemming from the belief that Islamic civilization represents an integrated system of values and principles that KFH strives to embody in its operations, partnerships, and sustainable initiatives. Al-Shamlan added that supporting the exhibition reflects a conviction in the message it carries to reinforce the value of philanthropy among new generations, noting 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.

For his part, Anwar Al-Mutairi, Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Shell Company, stated that the concept of philanthropy represents a profound human value that transcends the boundaries of art and architecture, reflecting the pursuit of excellence and doing one’s best to serve society. He affirmed that this value is among the principles that Shell believes in.

Al-Mutairi expressed his pride in partnering with DAI, describing it as a prestigious institution that succeeds in reviving heritage and presenting it to new generations through innovative methods that make history a source of inspiration, learning, creativity, and discovery.

The event’s hostess, Al-Jazi Al-Snafi, said: “I always recall, during my conversations with Sheikhah Hessa Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, the General Supervisor of DAI, her admiration for the saying: ‘Questions are sighted, and answers are blind.’ I have seen this saying come true in our experience with children.”

This exhibition is the fourth presented by children of the “Children’s Art Workshop” at DAI, from the Al-Sabah Collection, in collaboration with exhibition coordinator and volunteer Maha Al-Eissa. The project spanned approximately two years, involving workshops and multiple stages of research, analysis, and selection.

During the project, children explored several pieces from the Al-Sabah Collection, discussed them, and selected the works featured in the exhibition. They also investigated the methods of their creation and contributed to developing the concept and museum narrative.

The children also visited the Al-Sayer Al-Qibli Mosque to closely examine its architectural and artistic elements. The experience included, for the first time, educational collaboration with artisans and artists who are graduates of Bayt Jameel for Heritage Arts in Cairo, affiliated with the King Faisal Center for Traditional Islamic Art, to analyze selected pieces and study their execution stages.

They also collaborated with artist Meshal Al-Tablasi to learn about the tools and materials of calligraphers and the stages of designing and executing a page from a Quranic manuscript in the Al-Sabah Collection.