“Islamic Cultural Exhibition,” co-organized by National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Ministry of Culture, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be held at Wen-hua Gallery and Culture Corridor 2F of the hall from April 9 to 18. The opening ceremony grandly took place at Wen-hua Gallery of the hall at 3PM today (Apr 9). The exhibition carefully planned by MOFA, foreign countries’ offices in Taiwan, and Chinese Muslim Association are divided into “Arabic Calligraphy,” Islamic Cultural Relics,” “Islamic Architecture,” and “Islam in Taiwan.” This is a rare exhibition of cultural exchange between Taiwan and Islamic culture in recent years.
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tsao Li-jey, said “Islamic Cultural Exhibition,” carefully planned for three months by Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Chinese Muslim Association, National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the Islamic countries’ offices in Taiwan, has been successfully held before Ramadan of Hijri year 1442 to increase the Taiwanese people’s knowledge and understanding about Islamic culture. The Muslims believe in the oneness of God, follow benevolence, and pursue peace and truth. Besides the religious belief, they also have the outstanding performance in the fields of math, astronomy, navigation, medicine, and philosophy, all of which compose the important part of human civilization. It is one of the influential religious beliefs in the world. The exhibition focuses on the works of Arabic calligraphy and religious articles to expose the citizens to the beauty of Islamic culture and art. In the future, the government will work together with the different groups to keep deepening the friendship between Taiwan and the Muslims worldwide.
Director-general of National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Wang Lan-sheng, said Taiwan is a diverse and friendly society. With the increasing number of Muslims working and traveling in Taiwan in recent years, the society has more knowledge and acceptance of the life and custom of the Muslims. In Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2019, Taiwan ranks the third place of non-OIC among the 130 travel destinations worldwide. However, the general public still has little knowledge about Islamic culture as well as the exquisite beautiful geometric and vegetal patterns, various “Arabic calligraphy,” and magnificent architecture.
Director-general Wang mentioned National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is the most convenient cultural venue for the citizens to visit and believed the exhibition would enable people in Taiwan to have a deeper understanding and experience of the Islamic world not limited to the general impression of food and clothing. With the assistance of Chinese Muslim Association, the hall also built the Muslim friendly environment last year by setting up the Muslim prayer room on the first floor. Welcome the Muslim visitors to use it.
In his speech, Chairman of Chinese Muslim Association, Chang Ming-chun, first expressed his gratitude to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall for holding the Islamic Cultural Exhibition together. Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and the local government join hands to promote the Muslim friendly environment, keeping going global in terms of the respect for the Islamic culture. Our country has the diverse and broad culture. It is hoped that the government units’ active work will make the visitors understand Taiwan’s respect and acceptance for the Islamic culture.
Through the Islamic relics, “Islamic Cultural Exhibition” displays the Islamic spirit and cultural depth, increases the public’s understanding about Islamic culture and Muslims, promotes the religious and cultural exchange and ethnic integration, and highlights the status quo of religious freedom and diverse society in Taiwan. The abundant content includes the representative articles from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Somaliland, Nigeria, Indonesia, and Malaysia to present the Islamic styles of the different countries.
National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall will also provide the outdoor Islamic cultural experience on April 17 and 18. Besides enjoying the Arabic calligraphy writing on the scene, the visitors can also understand the Halal certification and industrial development in our country. Moreover, by following the Islamic tradition, the visitors can experience “Eid al-Fitr” in person and taste the Halal snacks. For more information, please visit the website of National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, www.yatsen.gov.tw, or call the service counter, (02) 27588008, ext. 545, 546.
