New Islamic Art Exhibits Planned to Counter Islam’s Militant Image...
(Reuters) — Art from the Islamic world will be shown in the heart of the British Museum, instead of on the sidelines, in two new galleries funded by a Malaysian foundation which hopes to offset the image created by Islamic militants. The museum, which houses one of the world’s largest collections of art and artefacts, said on Thursday it plans to open two new galleries in its south wing devoted to its extensive collection of art from the Islamic world. Until now works from the collection have been displayed in a gallery tucked away on the north side of the massive building, a long walk from the main entrance. The two new galleries, which will complement the existing...
Afghan Calligrapher Creates World’s Largest Koran...
By Emma Graham-Harrison and Hamid Shalizi KABUL | Tue Jan 17, 2012 12:33pm EST (Reuters) – An Afghan calligrapher has worked for five years to create the world’s biggest Koran, a bid to show the world that Afghanistan’s rich cultural heritage and traditions have been damaged but not destroyed by 30 years of war. The lavish book has pages 2.28 meters (90 inches) by 1.55 meters (61 inches) in size, and has been certified as the world’s largest by the Afghan ministry of Haj and Religious Affairs, according to the Kabul cultural centre that houses it. The previous claim to the title was for a 2 meter by 1.5 meter copy unveiled last year in Russia’s...