In this heartfelt season finale of Hwar AlMadar, we’re taken to Jeddah for the closing symposium of the Islamic Arts Biennale and are joined by curator Rizwan Ahmad and assistant curators Sarah Al Abdali and Dr Bilal Badat, who share their exceptional research on the Haramayn, exploring the artistic, historical, and spiritual significance of objects from the Muslim world. They delve into the process of curating these objects, the profound impact they have on viewers, and the diversity and sanctity associated with them. The episode also highlights the intricate Waqf tradition, the soulful journey of female representation in Islamic art, and their personal reflections on this monumental project. This emotional and insightful discussion offers a deeply spiritual lens through which to view the Islamic Arts Biennale and its lasting impact.

00:00 Introduction

01:06 Meet the Curators

01:20 Understanding the Haramayn and their Significance

01:57 The Role of the Curators at the Biennale

02:40 Research Focus: Local Collections and Saudi Heritage

04:38 Diversity in Islamic Art Objects

11:19 The Waqf Tradition and Its Impact

17:11 Female Representation in Islamic Art

20:19 Debating the Definition of Islamic Art

25:04 Exploring Spirituality in Art

25:55 The Significance of Islamic Objects

28:20 Emotional Resonance and Responsibility

32:13 Personal Reflections and Inspirations

37:33 Unsolved Mysteries and Iconic Objects

42:48 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Rizwan Ahmad is a curator and researcher with over 15 years experience in cultural, historical, and archaeological projects in the Middle East. As Head of Research at Barker Langham, he leads a global team overseeing and ensuring the quality of research methodologies, processes, and outputs. He has worked with leading Gulf museums, including the Oman Across Ages Museum, the National Museum of Qatar, and the Al Shindagha Museum in Dubai, and was previously a curator at the British Museum. In 2023, he led the historic objects workstream for the inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale.

Connect with Rizwan Ahmad 👉 https://instagram.com/rizwan.safir

Sarah Al Abdali is an artist and curator that explores Arab culture and Islamic philosophy through painting, ceramics, and woodwork. A master’s graduate of the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, she researches Hejazi material culture and exhibits internationally, including at the British Museum and Islamic Arts Biennale.

Connect with Sarah Al Abdali 👉 https://instagram.com/sarahalabdaliart

Dr. Bilal Badat is an archaeologist and art historian specializing in Islamic calligraphy. A senior researcher at Barker Langham, he has contributed to major Saudi cultural projects, including the Islamic Arts Biennale (2023). He earned his doctorate on pedagogy in Islamic calligraphy.

Connect with Bilal Badat 👉 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/bilal-badat-b71aab169

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hwar AlMadar is a dedicated podcast series inspired by AlMadar, meaning “the Orbit,” an initiative launched by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation at the Islamic Arts Biennale that promotes collaboration and dialogue between institutions with significant collections of Islamic art around the world. 

A live podcast series powered by afikra, Hwar AlMadar is part of The Diriyah Biennale Foundation Public Programs and features leading experts from institutions around the world that contributed to AlMadar in the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 in Jeddah. AlMadar showcases objects that embody centuries of knowledge, masterful craftsmanship, and the spirit of cultural exchange.

The Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 provides a holistic platform for new discourse about Islamic arts, offering an unparalleled space for learning, research, and insight. By juxtaposing contemporary and newly commissioned artworks with historical objects from Islamic cultures, the Biennale explores how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through feeling, thinking, and making. It offers a unique platform for artists to explore themes of spirituality, identity, and the intersection of past and present, while fostering cross-cultural connections and expanding the global understanding of Islamic art and culture.

حوار المدار هو سلسلة بودكاست حيّة تابعة للبرنامج الثقافي في مؤسسة بينالي الدرعية، بالتعاون مع عفكرة. يستضيف البودكاست خبراء عالميين من المؤسسات المشاركة في “المدار” الذي يضم مقتنيات تختزل قروناً من المعرفة والحرفية والتبادل الثقافي، في بينالي جدة للفنون الإسلامية 2025

يقدم بينالي الفنون الإسلامية منصة شاملة لاستضافة وتشجيع الحوار وتوسيع المعرفة بالفنون الإسلامية، وذلك من خلال ما يوفره من فرص للبحث والتأمل والتعلم في مختلف المجالات. يعرض البينالي تحفاً تاريخية من مختلف الثقافات الإسلامية، جنباً إلى جنب مع أعمال من الفن المعاصر، وذلك في محاولة لاستكشاف عمق المعاني الإيمانية، والتعرف على طرق التعبير الإبداعي عنها من خلال الفكر والحس والإبداع. كما يوفر البينالي منصة فريدة للفنانين لاستكشاف موضوعات تشمل الإيمان والهوية والتقاطعات بين الماضي والحاضر، مع تعزيز الروابط الثقافية والتعريف بالفنون والثقافة الإسلامية على المستوى العالمي