MAKKAH: An exhibition showcasing Saudi Arabia’s culture and heritage has attracted thousands of visitors to the Islamic Center in Bangkok.
The exhibition, organized by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, runs until Aug. 31.
Omar Al-Firyaan, the secretary-general for exhibitions and conferences, told Arab News that the idea for the "Saudi Bridges Exhibition" emerged after diplomatic ties between Thailand and Saudi Arabia resumed earlier this year.
He said it represented rebuilding the bridges of love, communication, peace, and fraternity and coincided with the largest Qur’anic competition in Thailand.
Both the exhibition and competition are sponsored by the ministry in cooperation with the Saudi embassy in the Thai capital.
“The exhibition presents Saudi culture and heritage, which tells the great legacy of the history of Saudi Arabia and its role in civilization,” Al-Firyaan said.
“It shows historical buildings, especially those that reflect Islamic heritage since the first Islamic state and its capital, Madinah at the time, in addition to shedding light on Makkah, the Kaaba, and the holy mosques.
“The exhibition is proof that the Kingdom is full of ancient heritage buildings in various regions, bearing the hallmarks of the Arab Islamic civilization and its rich heritage.”
He said each Saudi city was distinguished by its own architectural style, which varied according to climatic and regional specifications, but they were all interconnected by local values and heritage.
FASTFACTS
• The exhibition, organized by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, runs until Aug. 31.
• Omar Al-Firyaan, the secretary-general for exhibitions and conferences, told Arab News that the idea for the ‘Saudi Bridges Exhibition’ emerged after diplomatic ties between Thailand and Saudi Arabia resumed earlier this year
“The exhibition (also) showcases the Farasan model, reflecting a special aesthetic art that distinguishes the Farasan Islands from other regions with their unique architecture, and the Diriyah model, dating back to 850 A.H. (1446 A.D.), which includes many monuments and historical palaces built of mud in Najdi architecture style.
“There is also the Al-Ahsa model, which held an important cultural and historical role, and the Hijaz model that shows Jeddah as the commercial port.”
The exhibition highlights the King Abdul Aziz International Competition for Qur’an Memorization, telling its history and international contributions and services to Muslims globally.
“The Najd model shows the desert areas that characterized the central region, which had a hot, dry climate. The architecture of this region is derived from the desert environment. We also have the Asir model that used stones and mud in the construction of buildings.”
Visitors to the exhibition are offered Saudi coffee and shown a video of the production and preparation of coffee beans.
The exhibition sheds light on the Kingdom’s relief efforts for those in need and has a section about the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an, with a Qur’an distributed to visitors with Thai translation.
An IT section gives insights into some of the ministry’s award-winning apps, and there are historical and archaeological manuscripts on display.
Visitors can get their names written in Arabic calligraphy and have their pictures taken against a Saudi regional backdrop.
