The Department of Architecture at Jamia Millia Islamia's Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics successfully organized the 7th International Conference on Islamic Arts & Architecture, which began on November 11, coinciding with National Education Day celebrations. The prestigious event gathered scholars, practitioners, and students from various institutions to examine the development, symbolic meanings, and contemporary significance of Islamic design traditions.
Grand Inauguration and Exhibition Opening
The conference commenced with the formal inauguration of 'The Kaleidoscope,' a comprehensive Photography and Art Exhibition held at the university's M.F. Husain Art Gallery. Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, the Registrar of Jamia Millia Islamia, joined by Dr. Fariduddin Farid Asr, Cultural Counsellor from the Iran Cultural House in New Delhi, officially opened the exhibition to attendees.
The exhibition curation was managed by Dr. Mohd. Arshad Ameen with architectural coordination provided by Ar. Mohd. Rahil from the Department of Architecture. The entrance area featured photographic contributions from the Iranian Embassy, complemented by scale models, literary works, and travel documentation that highlighted Iran's substantial cultural and architectural history.
Artistic Displays and Student Contributions
Visitors were greeted by an impressive display of Islamic jaali patterns that decorated the building exterior, all painted by participating students. Inside the gallery space, walls were adorned with diverse artistic creations in watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media techniques. A particularly notable installation was the glass painting mosaic mural produced during the "Stained Palette" workshop.
This workshop was conducted as part of the university's 105th Foundation Day celebrations under the expert supervision of Dr. Mohd. Arshad Ameen. The glass mosaic captivated visitors with its vibrant color spectrum and detailed artistic execution.
Emphasis on Cultural Preservation
During his inaugural speech, Dr. Fariduddin Farid Asr expressed genuine appreciation for the students' creative outputs and stressed the crucial relationship between artistic expression and architectural practice. He emphasized the necessity of preserving Islamic architectural traditions for upcoming generations, noting their enduring global influence and cultural importance.
The conference program included academic lectures, panel discussions, and specialized presentations that explored the cultural complexity, historical richness, and worldwide reach of Islamic artistic and architectural practices. The event served as an important platform for knowledge exchange and cultural appreciation within the academic community.
