SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The Ministry of Culture has announced details of the 20th edition of the Al Burda Award, a leading cultural celebration of Islamic arts, during a media briefing in Abu Dhabi.
Launched in 2004 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the award has honoured more than 420 talents worldwide and received over 1,300 submissions from 50 countries.
This year’s edition coincides with the UAE’s “Year of Family” and adopts the theme “Family: Tranquillity and Compassion”, highlighting the family’s role in strengthening identity and social cohesion.
The award continues to cover three main categories: Arabic poetry, Arabic calligraphy, and ornamentation – which branch into multiple subcategories, including classical, nabati, and free verse poetry; traditional, contemporary, and typographic design; and traditional and contemporary ornamentation.
It also introduces a notable development in traditional calligraphy by combining the Rayhani and Jali Muhaqqaq styles, complemented by a new ornamental direction inspired by Mamluk period art.
Indonesia has been selected as the Guest of Honour for this year’s edition in recognition of its rich Islamic artistic heritage.
The Ministry also announced the launch of the Al Burda Grant programme in collaboration with Nasheed artist Mustafa Atef to support joint UAE–Indonesia creative projects.
Registration will be open until August 22, 2026, with submission windows for calligraphy and ornamentation running from August 23 to September 7.
Speaking to Aletihad on the sidelines of the event, Shatha Al Mulla, Assistant Undersecretary for the National Identity and Arts Sector at the Ministry of Culture, said the 20th edition of Al Burda Award reflects the initiative’s continued growth as a global platform celebrating Islamic arts, while strengthening cultural dialogue and creative exchange.
“This year, the award focuses on the theme of family in conjunction with the ‘Year of Family’, as it represents the carrier of human values and national identity values,” she said.
Reflecting on the award’s journey over the past two decades, Al Mulla said Al Burda has continued to evolve through expanded categories and updated criteria aimed at encouraging broader participation and creating opportunities for emerging creatives alongside traditional artists.
“We wanted to open the door not only for experienced artists, but also for young creatives entering this field,” she added.
She noted that the award has also expanded its global reach over the years, attracting participation from countries beyond the Arab and Islamic world and broadening its wider cultural role.
“It is an international platform that opens cultural dialogue between countries around the world,” she said.
Highlighting one of the major additions to this year’s edition, Al Mulla explained that Indonesia was selected as Guest of Honour in recognition of its long-standing contributions to Islamic arts and cultural heritage.
“Indonesia celebrates Islamic arts in different forms, whether through architecture, ornamentation, or calligraphy. We wanted to highlight this rich and deep cultural achievement through hosting it as Guest of Honour in the UAE,” she said.
Outlining the next phase of the initiative, she added that the Ministry aims to expand participation beyond 50 countries while continuing programmes and initiatives that hold discussions around Islamic arts active throughout the year.