In conjunction with the forthcoming exhibition Shatr AlMasjid: the Art of Orientation, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is collaborating with the Abdullatif Al Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture to host a three-day conference to address the historical meaning, culture, evolution and functions of the mosque.

Ithra and Abdullatif Al Fozan are announcing an open call for research submissions on the visual culture of the mosque for the conference that will take place at Ithra from November 23 – 25, 2021. This is an open call for architects, designers, archeologists, artists, writers, historians and curators to present their original research, objects or insights about mosques and related cultural objects.

Categories of submission include:



The selection criteria include creative ways of addressing the culture, history and meaning of mosques through objects. The goal is a more insightful and expanded understanding of the mosque.

The conference will focus on architectural forms and design elements as well as objects used in and around mosques such as lamps, windows, furniture, carpets, pulpits, calligraphy and so on.

Download the information related to this competition here.