The competition — entitled “In the Love of Makkah We Meet” — is still accepting entrants until June 1, said Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar, the competition’s supervisor. He added that the next step is to begin receiving participants’ works.
The competition is open to Muslims, regardless of nationality, age or gender, said Emad Al-Baili, the executive manager of Arabian Company, which is organizing the competition.
Al-Baili said five judges from Malaysia, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey and Saudi Arabia will judge the submitted artwork. He, however, refused to divulge the names of the judges saying they are well known in art. These countries, said Al-Baili, were chosen as they have their own independent art schools. Winners will be announced at a grand ceremony either in Makkah or Jeddah. The ceremony will be accompanied with an art gallery that will then tour the Kingdom’s main cities.
The competition is sponsored by Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal and artists from various countries — including China, the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, Algeria, Oman and Iraq — have so far registered to participate. Twelve locations have been chosen in Makkah where artwork will be displayed. Submitted art should focus on Makkah’s environment, its architecture, handicraft, Islamic legacies and calligraphy.
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