AI-powered programme to predict trends in Islamic art

The UAE launched an artificial-intelligence-assisted research programme to predict future trends in Islamic art and culture on the sidelines of the first edition of Al Burda Festival, held in the Capital on Wednesday. 

Dozens of artists, Islamic and cultural experts and government officials from the UAE and across the region gathered at Warehouse421 in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to take part in the festival. 

Attended by Lt-Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior (MoI), the festival aims to educate the young generation about Islamic traditions and promote the beauty of Islamic art. 

Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said: "The festival seeks to showcase the greatness of the Islamic civilisation through its art that represents an invaluable part of human heritage." 

Al Kaabi said the first artificial intelligence (AI) research study in the Arab region, 'Al Burda Swarm AI', was conducted with the participation of 30 experts and addressed a variety of issues. 

"The research yielded results that will shape the future of Islamic art. Among its key takeaways was the insight that investment in art programmes plays a key role in developing artistic and creative skills among the youth." 

"It stressed the significance of greater legislation in supporting the regional art scene, which could provide creative ideas with the right training and help build partnerships between the government, artists and the academe." 

She pointed out that the study also predicted the growth of Islamic performance and visual arts over the next five years. Based on the results of the study, the ministry will implement initiatives that will nurture young talents and further develop the Islamic art scene, which includes design, ornamentation and calligraphy. 

Launch of an endowment 

Al Kaabi, on the sidelines of the festival, also announced the launch of Al Burda Festival Endowment, an initiative that aspires to expand the reach of Islamic art and culture by supporting creative pioneers who embrace experimentation. 

She said: "The endowment recipients will be tasked with producing artworks and exhibiting them in select locations across the country with the aim of creating a movement that introduces the public to diverse types of Islamic arts." 

"We look forward to seeing creative artworks that are inspired by Islamic heritage. Such works help develop and enrich various genres of the art, pave the way towards reviving its wonders, and bring it back to our streets and museums so that it becomes an integral part of our lives once again." 

UAE's efforts to preserve Islamic art and culture 

Pointing out the importance of the UAE's involvement in the reconstruction of the Great Mosque of Al Nuri in Iraq, which was destroyed by Daesh in 2017, Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said that it is crucial to preserve Islamic art and culture. 

In April, the UAE pledged to finance a $50.4-million (Dh185 million) project to rebuild the 840-year-old mosque and preserve what is left of Al Hadba minaret, a square prism that will be turned into a memorial site for the victims of Daesh. 

Besides helping preserve Islamic history and culture, the initiative seeks to defeat extremism in all its forms and revive the spirit of the Old City of Mosul, where the iconic holy site is located. 

Last month, Al Kaabi attended the first meeting of a joint committee that will drive the project, which will also create 1,000 jobs for young Iraqi graduates during the five-year reconstruction of the site. More than 50 religious historical buildings and sites were destroyed in Mosul, including Muslim, Christian and pan-religious structures. 

by Jasmine Al Kuttab