A captivating exhibition showcasing the rich artistic legacy of Turkish Islamic culture opened at the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DITIB) in Cologne, Germany. Organized by Türkiye’s Presidency of Religious Affairs (DIB) and the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV), the exhibition presents 70 masterpieces of calligraphy, marbling, illumination, and ceramics.
The grand opening ceremony included a Quran recitation and a ribbon-cutting. DITIB President Muharrem Kuzey highlighted the symbolic architecture of the DITIB Central Mosque, stating, “The two minarets of our mosque are designed in the shape of reed pens used by calligraphers. This is a beautiful representation of how mosques serve as centers of knowledge, culture, and art.”
DIB Vice President Professor Huriye Marti emphasized the exhibition’s importance in countering Islamophobia: “Unfortunately, there are biased individuals who associate Islam with ugliness, violence, and pain, running smear campaigns to escalate Islamophobia, especially in Europe. We categorically reject these narratives and assert that Islam is a religion of peace and beauty. Exhibitions like this play a crucial role in conveying this message.”
TDV Director of Women, Family, and Volunteer Services, Hatice Kahyaoglu, connected Islamic art to spirituality, explaining, “Throughout Islamic history, art has carried profound meaning, serving as an expression of respect and love. Turkish Islamic art, in particular, is inspired by the Asma al-Husna—the beautiful names of Allah.”
Türkiye’s Consul General in Cologne, Huseyin Kantem Al, viewed the DITIB Central Mosque as a bridge between traditional and modern Islamic art, adding, “On this journey from tradition to the future, we will all experience the unifying power of art.” The exhibition also features workshops and expert-led conferences on traditional Turkish Islamic art forms.
Reported by: Türkiye Today
