Islamic Arts Festival 2024: Nation’s largest with film, music and art

The 11th Annual Islamic Arts Festival , the largest and oldest of its kind in the United States, will be held Nov. 9-10 at the University of Houston, bringing together artists and visitors from across the country to celebrate Islamic art, culture and heritage.

The festival began in 2014 when four Houstonians with a shared interest in Islamic art organized a small exhibition at a mosque in Spring, Texas. The group, which included an architect, a physician and a student, joined with others in the community to put on the show. This initial event laid the groundwork for the Islamic Arts Society and launched Houston's first Islamic Arts Festival. Today, the festival has grown into a prominent national event, attracting thousands of visitors and featuring art on canvas, paper, wood, glass and ceramic tiles.

Shaheen Rahman, president of the Islamic Arts Society, said moving the festival to the University of Houston marks a new phase, allowing the festival to reach a wider American audience. New features for this year's event include a film festival, a comedy show and a Sufi music performance, expanding its offerings beyond visual art.

More than 5,000 pieces of art by over 50 artists will be on display, with many available for purchase. Highlights include a performance by Spain's Al-Firdaus Ensemble and a comedy show by Preacher Moss. Additional programs include a spoken word segment, an academic seminar in collaboration with the University of Houston and interactive art sessions on calligraphy, henna and ebru painting. Food vendors and workshops will also be available.

Admission is free, with the exception of evening entertainment programs and workshops. For more information visit islamicartssociety.org