Islamic Cultural Exhibition: a dialogue between faith and art
The month of Ramadan begins on April 13 and ends on May 12 in 2021 (the year 1442 of the Islamic lunar calendar). To enhance the Taiwanese people’s understanding of Islamic culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taiwan’s Chinese Muslim Association (CMA), and representative and trade offices of Muslim countries in Taiwan are jointly hosting two Islamic cultural exchange activities.
The first event in celebration of Ramadan is the Islamic Cultural Exhibition, held at the Wen-hua Gallery and Culture Corridors of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei from April 9 to 18. The exhibition covers four main topics—Arabic calligraphy, Islamic artifacts, Islamic architecture (well-known mosques), and the development of Islam in Taiwan. The classic exhibits on display have been meticulously selected through a comprehensive process of cooperation between the CMA, MOFA and its related overseas missions, and representative and trade offices of foreign countries in Taiwan. The items from Bahrain, Brunei, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somaliland, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates feature the different styles of Islamic culture in those countries.
Apart from the exhibition, on the weekend of April 17 and 18, an outdoor event will be held in the plaza outside the National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall to offer visitors an Islamic cultural experience. Visitors will be treated to live calligraphy performances and have an opportunity to understand Taiwan’s halal certification system and halal industrial development. After sunset, they will also be able to experience the Islamic tradition of fast breaking and sample halal snacks. The exhibition and interactive event are designed to present the profound Islamic spirit and cultural ethos in an accessible way. In addition, the introduction to the development of Islam and the Muslim community in Taiwan will give the Taiwanese people a better understanding of Islamic culture, strengthen multicultural exchanges and cooperation, and foster mutual respect and tolerance among different groups in society.
Muslims are pious, peaceful, and charitable to the weak and poor. Islamic doctrines and wisdom constitute an important part of human civilization. There are 57 nations across the globe where the Islamic faith is widespread. With more than 1.6 billion adherents, accounting for about one-fifth of the global population, Islam is among the world’s most influential religions and boasts one of the largest followings on the planet. Taiwan has about 50,000 Muslim citizens and hosts more than 200,000 foreign Muslims who are here because of marriage, work, study, or other factors, and who interact harmoniously with other groups and contribute to Taiwan’s rich cultural diversity.
The government of Taiwan has striven to create a Muslim-friendly environment, winning recognition from the Global Muslim Travel Index. We warmly welcome everyone to the events held from April 9 to 18, and look forward to working across sectors to further deepen Taiwan’s friendship with Muslim communities worldwide.
