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Comoros celebrates the International Day of Islamic Art to promote cultural diversity and status of artists

18 November 2020

Last update:20 April 2023

The Union of Comoros is celebrating the International Day of Islamic Art with a three-day exhibition and debate taking place from 18 to 20 November 2020. UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa joined forces with the Direction General of Arts and Culture of Comoros to organize this first edition of the International Day.

The was proclaimed at the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2019 and takes place every year on 18 November. It aims to raise awareness of past and contemporary artistic expressions of Islam, and the contribution of culture through Islamic Art to civilization.

The worldwide celebration of the International Day of Islamic Art not only encourages the appreciation of Islamic art, which has inspired other artistic movements, but also contributes to cultural diversity, freedom of expression, protection of cultural heritage and inter-cultural dialogue. Marking the Day is also a way to foster tolerance between peoples and support cultural rapprochement, both of which are possible through the power of art.

A conference debate discussing the status of Comorian artists at the University of the Comoros kick started the celebration in Comoros on 18 November, drawing on the guidance of the UNSECO and the . During the 3-day event, Comorian visual artists’ works (Zainou El Abidine Ali and Khair-Eddine Abdou), produced during the period of confinement against COVID-19, are being presented as part of the COFIN'EXPO 2020 exhibition at the National Museum.

There is so much to learn, share and celebrate on International Day of Islamic Art through debates, conferences, workshops, cultural events and presentations or exhibitions, such as those organized in the Union of Comoros. I sincerely congratulate Comoros for initiating this celebration and encourage other Eastern African countries to join in future celebrations

Ms Ann Therese Ndong-Jatta, Director and Representative of UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa

For more information on the International Day of Islamic Art, please see: