Surfboard artist/designer Phillip George has created surfboards bearing intricate Islamic art for the Basil Sellers Art Prize. The contest urges contemporary artists to incorporate sport into their works of art. A few of the boards have the words "Insallah" inscribed upon them, which means "God willing". It would be a sin to place these boards in water or even step on them so they will never be used. They are displayed above the ground in a sanctified site with the boards facing Mecca. George, who is a veteran surfer from Bondi figured that designing the boards "Was a way of bringing the Middle East to Australia, and Australia to the Middle East". Join discussion...

In London at the historic Durbar Court at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, was a new show of Islamic art and photography. The organizer of this event said that Ramadan (Islamic month of fasting) is the perfect time of year to showcase Islamic art. Islamic Art is becoming more and more popular, so it was important that the upcoming British Muslim artists showcased their work. Samir Malik, one of the artists, described it as "absolutely amazing!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxwY0TpplRw Join discussion...

An art exhibiton opened in Abu Dhabi, one of the United Arab Emirates, in June 2009 displaying 161 pieces of historical Islamic Art. It's called "Islam: Faith and Worship," and the pieces are mainly from the Topkapı Palace Museum and Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum in Instanbul. The pieces were presented in a type of "storyline" that includes many parts of the Islamic religion. One interesting thing about the whole exhibition, which will continue until October 22nd, is that one piece, the Kaaba curtain, has not been out of its home, the Tokapi Palace, in almost 200 years. Join discussion...

The 12th Islamic Art Festival opened here at the Sharjah Art Museum in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), WAM news agency reported Thursday. The exhibition called Space of Mosaic was inaugurated by Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the ruler of Sharjah, largest emirate of the UAE. Painters from different Islamic countries, including UAE, are participating in the event Join discussion...

The article describes how Islamic artists are using various forms of artistic expression, such as visual art, filmmaking, and playwrighting to disprove unrealistic Muslim stereotypes and reach out to a young generation of Americans with the hope that they will embrace Islamic culture rather than demonize it. Join discussion...

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is opening an exhibit on Islamic art today, September 23rd. The exhibit will feature manuscripts, miniatures, carpets, and architecture since 7th Century Middle East. This exhibit opens at 9:30 on the 23rd and will remain open through October, closing on Halloween. Join discussion...

A new book about Islamic art by art historian Nuzhat Kazmi came out. It talks about Islamic art in the Islamic Empire and Islamic countries from the 16th century to today. It compares the level of art during this period to that of the Renaissance. The Islamic empire influenced the art of the area that it controlled, thereby spreading the main ideas of Islamic art. It was also influenced, though, by the art from Europe. Join discussion...

I.M. Pei designed the Museum of Islamic Art, which is located on a man-made island in Doha, Qatar. It is a serene building, sharp in its chiseled angles and simplistic in its geometric from. It fuses past and present architectural styles, which I.M. Pei believes is crucial for all architecture -- to have roots. He says too many building designs are overly modern. We have to acknowledge the past. The Museum of Islamic Art fuses urban modernism and primitive fundamentalism, both characteristic of the Middle East. I.M. Pei is most notable for designing the Louvre and the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Join discussion...