About the Forum
The Forum for Islamic Art, Architecture & Cultural Heritage was founded to celebrate the profound influence of Islamic civilisation on the story of our shared civilisation. It offers a platform to explore how art, design, and ideas from across the Islamic world have helped shaped modern culture and continue to inspire today.
Through exhibitions, education, and events, the Forum brings people together – fostering understanding, sparking curiosity, and building connections across cultures. It is a place for learning and celebration, where the beauty and creativity of Islamic heritage remind us of what unites us.
Our objectives
- Celebrate Islamic cultural legacy: Highlight the creativity, beauty, and enduring influence of Islamic art, architecture, and ideas on global civilisation.
- Foster understanding and connection: Build bridges between cultures, communities, and generations through dialogue, exhibitions, and educational experiences.
- Make art, architecture and cultural heritage accessible: Share knowledge of Islamic artistic and intellectual achievements beyond academic or institutional walls, engaging the public and decision-makers alike.
- Inspire learning and reflection: Encourage curiosity about the historical and contemporary impact of Islamic civilisation on society, science, design, and the arts.
- Challenge misconceptions and promote dialogue: Offer a positive, inclusive counter-narrative that emphasises shared human experience, creativity, and cross-cultural exchange.
Through these aims and objectives, the Forum seeks to build a vibrant, global network dedicated to celebrating and sustaining the artistic, architectural, and cultural legacies of the Islamic world.
We hope you can join us on this journey.
An introduction from the Baroness Nosheena Mobarik CBE
Art is the truest expression of a people – their creativity, values, and vision of the world. Driven by a lifelong love of beauty and a desire to share the often-overlooked legacy of Islamic civilisation, I founded the Forum to educate, to inspire curiosity, to celebrate cultural connections, and to build understanding through creativity.
From a young age, I’ve been captivated by the power of artistic expression to reveal a people’s imagination, values, and worldview. While I didn’t pursue a professional career in fine art, it has remained a constant source of inspiration, shaping how I see and engage with the world. Too often, the richness of Islamic artistic traditions is overlooked in education, leaving gaps in our understanding of global culture.
The media frequently reduces Islamic culture to conflict or division, but this tells only part of the story. The Forum was created to offer a different perspective – a space to explore creativity, spark dialogue, and rediscover the beauty and innovation of Islamic civilisation.
What draws me to Islamic art is its celebration of light, harmony, and thoughtful design. Its patterns, symmetry, and forms reflect a profound respect for the natural world and an enduring intellectual and spiritual legacy. This influence has shaped countless aspects of global culture, from architectural marvels to literature, and deserves to be shared and appreciated by all.
By engaging with art and heritage, we open doors to empathy and understanding. The Forum embodies this belief, providing a space where learning, appreciation, and cultural connection can flourish.