Algerian Radio
The Museum of Islamic Civilization in Algeria is hosting exhibitions on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, highlighting the richness and diversity of Islamic arts through ceramics, miniatures, Arabic calligraphy, and fine art photography.
Open to the public until March 13, these exhibitions present works by renowned Algerian ceramists, calligraphers, and miniaturists—both historical and contemporary—who have each left their mark on the history of Islamic civilization in Algeria through their respective arts.
Through these exhibitions, a wide array of artworks revisiting various periods of Islamic civilization, from the advent of Islam in North Africa to the present day, is presented to the public.
The museum features a collection of works by Algerian calligraphers, including their doyen, Mohamed Bensaïd Cherifi. He is notably renowned for transcribing the Holy Quran several times in different calligraphic styles and for designing the calligraphic motifs found on Algerian currency (banknotes and coins). The exhibition also includes works by Nourredine Kour, whose creations seamlessly blend traditional Arabic calligraphy with contemporary art.
Ceramics and miniatures are also prominently featured, showcasing the works of artists such as Mustapha Adajout, Mohamed Temmam, and Mohamed Boumehdi.
Furthermore, the museum has dedicated an exhibition space to fine art photography, highlighting a collection of photographs by Samir Djama, alongside ancient manuscripts and traditional calligraphy tools.
In a statement to APS, the museum's director, Khaled Saber Cherifi, explained that the objective of these temporary exhibitions is "to retrace the historical stages of Islamic civilization in Algeria through acquired or borrowed art collections."
"Through its collections, the museum covers fifteen centuries of history, retracing the evolution of the arts since the advent of Islam in North Africa," he noted, adding that "the museum's permanent collection will be continuously enriched with precious artifacts and ancient manuscripts."
The exhibition will run until March 13, according to the museum director, who also specified that other activities and temporary exhibitions dedicated to the theme of "photography and history" will be scheduled soon.
