The Aesthetics and Greatness of the Kiswah of the Kaaba in the Saudi Era

Authors

  • Duaa Mohammed Alashari Academy of Islamic Civilization, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Malaysia
  • Abd.Rahman Hamzah Academy of Islamic Civilization, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Malaysia
  • Nurazmallail Marni Academy of Islamic Civilization, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11113/umran2021.8n1.448

Keywords:

Islamic architecture, Arabic Calligraphy, Islamic ornamentation, Islamic art, Islamic civilization

Abstract

The Kaaba has a long history and considered as praising and sacredness for Muslim all over the Islamic world. The Kaaba garment (kiswah) received during the Saudi era meticulous attention in terms of quality of artistry, implementation and manufacture. The most important feature that distinguished the Kaaba dress and added to its aesthetic value is the Arabic calligraphy and Islamic motifs. these arts are illuminate and decorate the Kiswah of the Kaaba. Also, the Kiswah of the Kaaba is a sign of respect, honour and reverence for The Holy House. This study is an investigation into the aesthetics of the Kiswah of the Kaaba during the Saudi era. The study aims to expose the aesthetics and spirituality of the Kaaba gown in the Saudi period. The research employed the descriptive method through,  using this method, the researcher was able to knowledge about the kiswah of the kaaba as well as about Arabic calligraphy that embellishment the Kiswah by artistically executed. Moreover, this research aims to study the aesthetic value of the Kiswah of the kabab that under the supervision of the calligrapher Moktar Alam. The kiswah of the Kaaba has been selected in the present research due to the uniqueness decorations and composition. The study will provide a source of information to understand and study some history of the kiswah as well as manufactured of the kiswah nowadays. The study concluded that the kiswah of the kabbah in the Saudi era achieve the highest aesthetic aspect of quality master-made. In other words, the kiswah creates artistic and spiritual dimensions.

 

Author Biography

Duaa Mohammed Alashari, Academy of Islamic Civilization, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Duaa Alashari was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and lived there for many years. Then, she moved to the United States to get her painting MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia. She now lives in Savannah. She received her Bachelors of Islamic Art Education from King Abdu Aziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in May 2007.  Alashari’s work is displayed in King Abdu Aziz University and Arabia Calligraphy Gallery in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and in the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia.  Alashari’s art, which often combines Islamic calligraphy with representations of the Islamic decorations, addresses the complex composition of show identity from the unique perspective of personal experience. In much of her work, she returns to her Arabic language and culture, looking back on it as an artist caught somewhere between past and present, and as an artist, exploring the language in which to “speak” from this uncertain space. Her paintings often appropriate Arabic calligraphy and Islamic art tradition, thereby inviting viewers to reconsider the beauty of Islamic art. She has worked in numerous media, including painting, glass, metal, and fabric. "In my art, I wish to present myself through multiple images, as artist, as Saudi, as traditionalist, as Muslim. In short, I invite the viewer to experience different art from Middle East, and to show them how to identify, understand and appreciate its varied styles and modes.”

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Published

2021-02-28

How to Cite

Alashari, D. M. ., Hamzah, A. ., & Marni, N. . (2021). The Aesthetics and Greatness of the Kiswah of the Kaaba in the Saudi Era. UMRAN - International Journal of Islamic and Civilizational Studies, 8(1), 13–22. https://doi.org/10.11113/umran2021.8n1.448

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2021): March 2021

Section

Articles

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