Visit to Fujairah Academy for Islamic Sciences
On November 4th, the S’uukū Centre welcomed a group of students from the Fujairah Islamic Scientific Academy as part of the educational visits programme the centre runs throughout the academic year. Twenty-five students arrived at the exhibition venue early on, their enthusiasm to explore the place and learn about the activities awaiting them clearly evident. The visit began with a serene tour of the Imtidad exhibition, a showcase celebrating Islamic art in its various forms. The students stood before the displayed works with curiosity, contemplating the details of the paintings, decorations, and calligraphy. Some posed questions reflecting a desire to understand the meaning of each piece and how it was created.
After the tour, the students moved on to the workshops assigned to them that day, the first of which was a watercolour botanical drawing workshop with instructor Shaivon. She gave them a simplified explanation of colours and how to mix them, then asked them to draw a small red apple as an exercise in close observation. The scene was pleasant, especially when the students began to discover that drawing something seemingly simple requires patience and attention to light and shadow. Some quickly got into the rhythm of the steps, while others needed more time, but in the end, everyone emerged with a result they were pleased with.
In another hall, a calligraphy workshop began with instructor Mohsen, who gave the students an overview of the history and aesthetics of calligraphy, then moved on to the practical side where they learned the basics of drawing letters. Each student tried to write their name, and it was a new experience for many of them as they realised that controlling the pen and the angle of writing wasn't as easy as it seemed. Nevertheless, a sense of accomplishment was evident on their faces when they managed to write a letter or word closer to the correct form.
Mustafa’s Islamic geometry workshop, which combined art and logic, captured the students’ attention. They began by drawing an eight-pointed star using simple, sequential steps, and then repeated the shape within a grid to create an integrated design. This workshop, in particular, fostered an atmosphere of focus, and perhaps some friendly competition, as each student endeavoured to achieve more precise lines.
As the day drew to a close, students gathered to take photos of their work and share feedback on what they enjoyed most. The day was filled with the experimentation and small surprises that accompany learning something new. Students left carrying their creations and a greater curiosity towards Islamic arts, reflecting the importance of such initiatives in connecting the new generation to the beauty of this heritage.