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Images of the animals in varieties of paints and colours [are intended] to delight the hearts of princes, increase their pleasure, and also the degree of care which they bestow on the work.

Like the beloved Aesop’s Fables, Kalīlah and Dimnah is a collection of animal fables that were written not just for moral instruction to three young princes, who were unruly at the time and had to learn to be wiser rulers, but also for the amusement and reflection of whoever reads them.The original manuscript contains seventy-eight paintings and many text folios telling the famous tales of the two jackals Kalila and Dimna. Each was clever and intelligent, but of the two Dimna was greedier, more ambitious and manipulative.&nbsp;Based on the Panchatantra written by Vidyapati (Bidpai), dating to the 3rd century BCE, the stories spread all over the Middle East in the 8th century after being translated into Arabic by the scholar and state official Ibn al-Muqaffa’ — where they became and remain wildly popular.

Witty, humor’s and philosophical, these fables of vice and virtue are constantly revisited and reimagined by writers and artists across the world.In this particular folio featured here, we meet the wise leopard. It is called The Leopard's Court - ‘Leopard Bearing Lion's Order to Fellow Judges’.Within a colourful, plentiful arabesques-cape of flowers, fruit, and cypress trees, an unwavering leopard sits in judgment on the devious jackal Dimna, whose lies and jealousy resulted in the killing of an innocent ox by his friend, the Lion-king. The jackal frenzied the king against the ox, who regretted killing his friend and ordered Dimna to stand trial. In this Folio, an outraged hare turns away from the jackal in disgust. Leopard, depicted as calm and wise, judges the case and Dimna is found guilty and sentenced to death by starvation.&nbsp;

To find out more about Kalila wa Dimna, visit King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) and <a href="https://kfcris.com/en/view/103" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">their special collection of manuscripts</a>, where a copy, written by Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī al-Ḥanafī, is believed to be the second oldest copy existing in the world of Kalila wa Dimna.To read the fables of Kalila wa Dimna, explore their comprehensive book <a href="https://www.libraryofarabicliterature.org/books/9781479806539/kalilah-and-dimnah/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">‘Kalila and Dinah: Fabes of Virtue and Vice’</a> by the Library of Arabic Literature (NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Press).&nbsp;

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Kalila wa Dimna — Timeless Animal Fables 

As a collection of layered stones inspired by the geological nature of Saudi Arabia, Ithra's architecture directly takes from nature, but Ithra's programs give back to nature as well. To find out more about Ithra's story <a href="https://www.ithra.com/application/files/1416/8198/0500/The_Ithra_Story_English.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.&nbsp;Ithra’s deep connection with the region’s natural environment goes beyond the aesthetic aspects of the building. It extends to a societal responsibility reflected in its various programs. For instance, through the "iRead Marathon" – where the premise was that a tree would be planted for every 100 pages read– more than 24,000 seedlings have been planted across Qatif and Al-Ahsa over four consecutive editions, in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) in Saudi Arabia, along with relevant authorities.&nbsp;

The architect Cass Gilbert once said, “Books are the most enduring monuments of man's achievements.” With iRead Marathon, we try to replenish one of nature’s most enduring monuments, its trees. Reading is not an isolated act, it leaves a lasting impact on both minds and nature alike. Your continued reading contributes to the book industry, and every 100 pages read ensures the opportunity for more pages to be printed.&nbsp;Ready for the numbers? The first edition, held at Ithra Library, saw 162,000 pages read. The second edition, hosted at Ithra Library alongside two libraries in Riyadh and Tabuk, recorded 422,000 pages. The third edition, in collaboration with the Library of Alexandria in Egypt and the National Library of Morocco, reached 326,000 pages.&nbsp;And the surprise? The fourth edition, held in partnership with 17 Arab libraries, witnessed around 1.5 million pages read. An immense number of pages, and seedlings!Don’t miss next year’s edition to join in the fun!

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Green Pages

An interview with the artist Dr. Sultan Zeyad to explore different artistic worlds: &nbsp;

Becoming an artist is not a choice; rather, it is a passion for art and its practice.

What inspired you to become an artist?

I like to paint in a completely quiet place, which is how I keep my private studio. I make sure that all artistic tools and materials are within reach. It is also important that my studio has a large and spacious area. Sometimes, I prefer listening to the artist Fairuz.

Do you have a specific routine or ritual while painting?

Development comes from studying and learning from your surroundings. I study fellow artists, explore exhibitions and museums and examine each work in detail whenever possible. In addition, the experimental approach has benefited me greatly in art. An artist must experiment with new materials and mediums and constantly innovate with their techniques and ideas. Art is creativity and renewal. &nbsp;

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How has your art evolved over time?

Challenges are always present, and I see them as an enjoyable opportunity for discoveries and new experiences in my artistic practice and production. This is one of the defining features of my art; it is constantly renewing. By "renewing," I do not necessarily mean that it is always good, but both audiences and artists usually appreciate renewal. The moments of astonishment that a piece of art can evoke are priceless. &nbsp;

Have you faced any difficulties with your paintings?

Currently, I am working on my fifth solo exhibition, and hopefully, it will come together successfully. I also aspire to establish an institute for teaching fine arts and to nurture a new generation of well-trained artists. I see many young and promising talents with great potential, but they often lack certain artistic skills and need a deeper understanding of art and its practice. Addressing this gap cannot be achieved solely through individual practice or self-learning; it requires structured education and institutional training.

Tell us about any upcoming exhibitions or projects.

In my view, art is expression, communication, and interaction between myself and the world around me. This results in my understanding and enjoyment of artistic vision, often altering some of my perceptions about my surroundings. Art encourages us to engage with the world and with each other.Our interaction with visual artworks holds infinite possibilities, as each of us has a unique way of seeing the world

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Finally, what does art mean to you?

After drought comes rain, grass, lavender, and clover.&nbsp; After scorching heat comes the coolness of winter, the mildness of spring, and rain-laden clouds. After the noise of the day comes the stillness of the night, twilight and stars, a fire around which friends gather. After the darkness of the night comes the dawn’s first light, the refreshing morning that breathes life back into everything, and just perhaps… something more…&nbsp; These are endless possibilities of perception, different angles from which we can visually interpret and experience nomadic life.

For example, nomadic life and wilderness may seem harsh and exhausting to some, but there is always something beyond:

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Wonder and Renewal

The smallest creatures often hold the key to the grandest mysteries of our ecosystems.

Brushed off, overlooked, neglected, stepped on, sometimes out of mere indifference but often with disgust. A grain of sand, a fallen leaf, a speck of dust, a droplet of water, and all those that dwell alongside—all taken for granted, yet are the very essence of nature.It takes a probing eye to fully appreciate the beauty which lies in insect life, whether in their anatomy, their lush colors and sharp features, or the details of their habitats and the uniqueness of their ecosystems and lifecycles.&nbsp;They hold keys to the advancement of urban culture on many levels; they have inspired many with their navigating and understanding of the universe and nudged human imagination to create wonders in literature, fantasy and science fiction.&nbsp;

To examine the hidden beauty of insects, more so in the region of Arabia, we sat with award-winning Saudi photographer Mishal Alryhan, who spoke to us about his journey, shared the stories behind some of his work and shed some light – literally and figuratively – on the art of macro-photography.Macro photography – a manipulation of lenses for close-ups – &nbsp;is a challenging field that requires a lot of patience, precision and efficiency. It can even be dangerous when you go out in the field to shoot moving subjects who can bite, but it is immensely rewarding once you get to the final result. It is not exclusive to art and documentation; its uses span across different subjects and professions such as dentistry, forensics and geology.

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To me, macro felt like a natural instinct, a reflex, for I did not start with ordinary photography and jumped right in. I really wanted to show the grandness of creation and share it with everyone and do that by focusing on the aesthetic of insect anatomy,

Alryhan first experimented with macro photography back in 2006 using none other than a Nokia 6600, a humble device in today’s metrics but cutting-edge in its time.This took place at his family farm in al-Hasa, when, upon stumbling on a fruit fly with lush green colors reminiscent of the shades of the aurora, Mishal’s father encouraged him to capture a photo. When asked about what attracted him to a niche genre of photography such as macro, Alryhan always referred to that particular moment.Besides his father, Mishal found unwavering support from his friend Ali Al Raisi, an entomologist and plant health specialist at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who helped him cross-reference his work and provided academic depth to his findings.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A science teacher for elementary school children by profession, Alryhan felt his passion for the complex and the extraordinary satiated by delving into the field of macro.“I try to take photos of the insects I can find. I once photographed a wolf spider only to find later that what I came upon was an endangered species, on the red line category of the Archive Encyclopedia,” he said.“This does not mean I look for the outlandish, but rather to document the rare and marvelous species; ones that highlight the beauty of creation and leave a lasting impression on the observer.”&nbsp;

When asked if he paid special attention to the insects of Arabia, or was he more interested in the aesthetic and contrast of colors, Alryhan replied: “I did not limit myself to Arabia; I traveled to forests in various regions such as Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka, and I acquired many samples to photograph.&nbsp;What helped me develop quickly was my keenness to communicate with seasoned professionals and learn from the experiences of photographers from different parts of the world such as Sweden, the Americas and Spain.”&nbsp;

Regular cameras could only zoom from 1x to 5x, and when you wanted to zoom in further and capture all the details you wish to cover, one had to tinker with the lenses themselves and do a process the photographers called "trimming", which allows camera lenses to expand their zoom bandwidth.“I was also one of the first to introduce the StackShot device to the Kingdom. It’s a special device for merging images that allows photography at 1 micro (1 thousandth of a millimeter), then you must take several images and merge them into layers, just like astronomical photography. I also learned how to process my work using specialized editing programs,” he explained.

If it was not difficult or complex, I would not have enjoyed it as much.

When asked about what art meant to him, Alryhan responded: “I think of art as the ability of conveying a special and striking experience to an audience. It is as simple as that, and to me this is the pinnacle of creativity. To be able to touch others with an unusual idea or give them a glimpse into something which was once beyond them. As a macro photographer, I tend to focus on details that may have different interpretations. They may feel abstract at first but are more awe-striking when the viewer learns of the origin of said photographs. They appreciate them even more.”

I love odonata such as the dragonfly and damselfly, for their beautiful colors, strange shapes and ability to fly and hunt despite their poor eyesight. I have photographed them in different situations, colors and sizes, and I am amazed by their accuracy, as they are very small, like a flying needle.&nbsp;

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What about his favorite insects that are native to Arabia?

They are found in most areas of the Kingdom and in Al-Hasa and are concentrated around bodies of water. That’s because they lay their eggs on water, from which they begin their life cycle. I also love the oddly-shaped mantis and its strong claws with which it can even hunt birds. &nbsp;

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I once found a silverfish, or what we in Al-Hasa refer to as Sahilah Umm Al-Khalaqeen. It is always found around clothes or within closets that have fabrics. When I found it, I decided to photograph its eyes, and I photographed them at approximately 70x. The result I then got was mind blowing.”Whether it is a humble mushroom peeking behind a tree, an uninvited silverfish lurking in our closets or even a dangling spider who lives rent-free in our bedrooms, works of art like those by Alryhan remind us that beauty requires an observant eye ready to zoom in and capture it in the most unusual of places.Enjoy more of Mishal Alryhan’s photographs <a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/8075450@N05/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here.&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;

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Beauty under the Macro-Scope

In my childhood home, there was a&nbsp;falaj, a water channel that flowed to nourish both people and gardens. The old houses were built in such a way that ensured the&nbsp;falaj&nbsp;passed through them, arriving from neighbors’ homes and leaving to other houses before finally pouring into the gardens. This meant that I could visit my friend by sneaking through the covered water channel between our two houses, swimming my way to her without needing to ask my parents for permission to leave through the front door. It gave us immense freedom and joy, allowing us to befriend many imaginary creatures that lived in the&nbsp;falaj and hid among the moss and small fish. Thus, we became friends with merry gnomes, kind spirits, and transparent girls who looked just like us, but whom no one else could see.This childhood memory nestled deep in my subconscious until, more than thirty years after those days of swimming through covered channels, defying parents, and conversing with dwarfs and spirits, I found it resurfacing in the lines of my fourth novel,&nbsp;Harir Al-Ghazala&nbsp;(Silken Gazelles). This is what fascinates me about writing: despite the challenges of the process, it delightfully surprises me. It chooses from my memory threads I believed had faded and vanished, only for writing to handpick them and bring them forth. To color them with new hues that didn’t even exist in their original form and weave them into a text entirely different from reality.At other times, a text writes itself in the moment of encountering nature’s beauty, which seems as though it has just been created, despite having existed long before us, beyond the count of years. Once, I stood at the edge of a forest, tall, endless trees that drew me in with every step I took. I felt myself detach from my body, as though my soul was walking ahead, rushing toward this mysterious call. I ventured deeper, longing to get lost among the trunks, surrendering to where the forest would lead me. My text was being written at that very moment, by my hands, touching the branches, by my veins, by my soul stretching toward the trees.

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When snow blankets the peaks of Jebel Shams (Mountain of Sun), people from the plains take refuge under the shade of palm trees from the midday heat. When the people of Jebel Akhdar harvest roses and pomegranates and press olive oil, the residents of the eastern oases set up enormous cauldrons to boil and dry the dates. While divers plunge into the depths of the Dimaniyat, marveling at the wonders of marine life, shepherdesses roam the mountains, singing eternal songs and healing wounds with the sap of&nbsp;dragon’s blood&nbsp;and the bark of&nbsp;bulbul’s nest&nbsp;trees.As mothers wail in moonlit desert nights for their daughters who turned into the planet Venus in the sky, the men of the coasts beat massive drums, and the tambourines of celebrations echo to the rhythm of the waves. When car wheels carve paths into the desert, they travel upon the trails of camel caravans that once carried dates, honey, silk, and spices, as well as chests locked around the most precious books and rarest manuscripts. Gold gleamed under this sun, just as mirages did. Adventurers lost their way, while hunters found their direction in the stars. And poetry was born.If I were to choose a part of this diversity, a single painting from this rich gallery of writing, I would select a color that contains all colors, a path that opens all paths, and a dream worthy of both nature and humankind.

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Water and Freedom

If I were asked to explain the Japanese spirit, I would say it is wild cherry blossoms glowing in the morning sun!

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Cherry blossom and birds in magical Japan

Rare, delicate and profound, the cherry blossom — known in Japan as sakura — remains one of the most iconic symbols of Japanese culture and their deep connection to nature’s gifts.Embodying symbolic beliefs of importance, hope and renewal, these magical trees are in full bloom for just one week — between March to early May.&nbsp;After the brief period of full bloom, the flowers start to flutter gracefully from their trees, and a natural artistic canvas is delicately painted by nature through the floating falling white and pink petals to the ground.

The sakura are so revered amongst the Japanese as symbols of human life’s transient yet noble journey, that they hold special flower watching gatherings, known as hanami, to honor these cherry blossom trees.Although of the artificial variety, cherry blossoms did visit Ithra during the Japan Cultural Days, and left a beautiful impression on all those who visited.

We now leave you with a few lines that capture the essence of the magical sakura through one of Japan’s masters of haiku poetry.&nbsp;

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hana no kage / aka no tanin wa / nakari keri
Under the cherry blossoms
strangers are not
really strangers

Discover Japanese artist&nbsp;<a href="https://www.artic.edu/artists/34946/utagawa-hiroshige">Utagawa Hiroshige</a> (1797-1858), who is known as a master of the ukiyo-e woodblock printing tradition. He created 8,000 prints of everyday life and landscape in Edo-period Japan with a splendid, saturated ambience.&nbsp;A special thank you to the Art Institute of Chicago.Here are some of his beautiful pieces. &nbsp;

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The Art of the Cherry Blossom 

Her face glows, her hair flows, and her smile glints. She walks in grace, a gazelle tiptoeing over soft soil...



Nature paints an impressive and intricate canvas of life and living beings in the Rub’ Al- Khali, which may be called the ‘Empty Quarter’, even though it is anything but empty.Against the impressive backdrop of Shaybah’s silky reddish sand dunes, there are fresh tiny and wobbly two-toed footprints on the sand that mark new hope for nature.Unaware of their importance in the national drive for conservation and revival of native species to the Rub’ Al-Khali, five baby ostriches are playfully tugging away at shrubs and kicking about some sand under the watchful eyes of their towering mother.Their even taller and more imposing father is at least 280 centimeters high (9.1 feet), with a bright red neck that aptly represents its moniker of Red Neck Ostrich. Known as a naeama in Arabic, the father will continue to stroll by, acting nonchalant, all the while guarding the perimeters of the area where his feathery family wander about.

Weighing 100 to 160 kg, and able to run up to 70 kph, this is the largest bird on Earth. It is also the African relative of the Arabian ostrich that unfortunately became extinct more than 70 years ago in the Arabian Gulf.&nbsp;The re-introduction of the African red-neck ostrich, the closest species to the Arabian — such as this new family of five offspring — is helping revive the presence of these giant birds across the Rub’ Al-Khali again.“It is quite a milestone to have all five chicks survive; a true celebration,” said Gregory Simkins, the conservation specialist at the Shaybah Wildlife Sanctuary. These ostriches, together with the majestic Arabian Oryx, the graceful Arabian Sand Gazelle regularly praised in Arabic poems, the slithering Arabian Toad-headed Agamid Lizard, the regal Golden Eagle, the unassuming MacQueen’s Bustard, the hopping Cape Hare, the agile Arabian Sand Fox (or The Ruppell’s Fox), and the stealthy Arabian Sand Cat; these are all just some of the protected species from over 217 species within a 637 square kilometer protected area within the vast Rub’ Al-Khali.

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Against the desert sands

Opened in 2016, the Shaybah Wildlife Sanctuary area has been restored to its natural state by preventing key threatening processes such as off-road driving, hunting, grazing by camels, and firewood collection. “Because this area is protected from human activities and grazing, its biodiversity is able to thrive and and we can observe and learn more about the different species being bred and taken care of here, and learn more about the delicate roles of species in the ecosystem,” said Simkins, who has worked in this field of conservation for 25 years.“Because this area is protected from human activities and grazing, its biodiversity is able to thrive and and we can observe and learn more about the different species being bred and taken care of here, and learn more about the delicate roles of species in the ecosystem,” said Simkins, who has worked in this field of conservation for 25 years.

A family affair

The Ithraeyat editorial team traveled south from Dhahran to Shaybah — located in the northern part of Rub’ Al-Khali and ten kilometers south of the Abu Dhabi border — and went on a special field visit with Simkins to experience the silence of the sands, the awe of viewing the animals in their natural habitat and the overall balance and tranquility the natural reserve inspires.“We conduct research and monitor the animals we release to make sure they are well and we learn more about their lives,” said Simkins. “The camera traps we have set up across the reserve help us see what animals and birds come out at night and what we may miss during the day. For instance, we have seen the elusive Arabian Sand Cats wander about at night,” he said.As cute as they look, the Arabian Sand Cats, with their sandy to light gray fur,are well camouflaged in the desert environment. Their ears set low on the sides of the head help them sense prey moving underground. They may be small, at 39 to 52 centimeters in length and weighing between 1 to 3 Kilograms, but they are known to kill strong venomous snakes.&nbsp;The reserve, one of 14 protected areas by Aramco, is a vast stretch of fenced land — with a special designed net to prevent animals like the sand cat from getting stuck —and is home also to 11 plant species including the desert hyacinth (Cistanche Tubulosa) — a favorite food of the Arabian Oryx as well as known as a medicinal herb in Chinese medicine said to aid memory and immunity.

Another lovely plant that blooms with yellow flowers is the Tribulus Pentandrus, a favorite treat for camels, and one that brings a blanket of floral beauty to the desert terrain.&nbsp;Insects also play an important role, with ants for instance often found around these plants to help disperse their seeds. “It is still a mystery what the loss of a species does to the bigger picture, as there could be subtle changes we are unaware of, with great consequences to nature and to our world,” said Simkins.“So every species matters, no matter how tiny.”From the migratory birds and the insects flying by to the curious oryx peeking over at us from behind a shelter as we were leaving, we drove carefully past small twin baby gazelles wagging their tails as they hopped away closer to their family. It has been a truly magical visit filled with the mesmerizing pulse of nature and its species.

More photos from Shaybah Wildlife Sanctuary:

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Where Red Sands and Animals Roam — Shaybah Canvas

"We live only to discover beauty. All else is a form of waiting."

AlUla is an open-air museum, seamlessly blending raw nature with deep-rooted history.&nbsp;As one strolls through its vast valleys, towering mountains, and precisely sculpted rock formations, there is a sensation of traveling through time, tracing the footsteps of ancient civilizations.In every relic, valley, and rock carved either by human hands or shaped by the wind, there lies a story waiting to be told. &nbsp;

AlUla stands as a cultural, historical, and artistic destination, filled with &nbsp;breathtaking nature, enchanting history, and modern development.The modern elements integrate so naturally with the authentic identity that it becomes difficult to distinguish between the past and the present.Its connection to art goes beyond archaeology, serving as a source of inspiration for contemporary artists. Art is everywhere, woven into the very fabric of its landscapes! &nbsp;

In celebration of art as one of AlUla’s defining pillars, the fourth edition of the AlUla Arts Festival introduced a diverse array of artistic works that have made a lasting impact on the global art scene.Within the Valley of the Arts, the festival featured exhibitions from pioneering artists in the Light and Space movement, such as James Turrell.The exhibitions "Bayt Al Hams (The Whispering House)" and "Khawatir (Thoughts)" provided dedicated spaces for Saudi artists to take an active role in both local and international art movements, including contributions from Tarek Atoui and Maha Al-Malouh. &nbsp;

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As part of the Forgotten Studios Celebration, the artwork "NUEMA" was presented as a collaborative effort between Saudi artist Sarah Brahim and French artist Ugo Schiavi.This piece stands between two historically significant sites: the ancient Nabataean city in southern AlUla and the historic Kingdom of Dadan, one of the most renowned and influential civilizations in the Arabian Peninsula. &nbsp;

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"Just as science reveals the substance of the world and transfers it into the realm of objective knowledge, art plays a similar role, but in the emotional substance of the world," Dr. Adel Mustafa once wrote. The significance of an artwork evokes different emotions and thoughts in its audience, as each person interprets it in their own unique way.&nbsp;Beyond personal interpretations, there is also the core message that artists aim to convey through their chosen artistic medium, their&nbsp;“tangible and spatial mediation”, to use a more precise philosophical term. Art, as Salvador de Madariaga put it, is&nbsp;“the conveyance of spirit by means of matter.”&nbsp;On a personal level, NUEMA conveyed to me a sense of reflection, one that echoes the historical ambiance of Diriyah among the civilizations of the Arabian Peninsula, capturing the intricate details of its alleys and the winding pathways of At-Turaif district. Without a doubt, NUEMA stirs an aesthetic emotion, a deep appreciation of beauty, through its harmony with AlUla’s breathtaking geographical landscape. These are the moments one should seek refuge in, away from life’s distractions, from time to time. &nbsp;

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Naturally, the ways in which contemporary humans experience art differ from those of past generations, especially after the significant transformation initiated by Impressionism, marked by Monet’s iconic&nbsp;Impression, Sunrise, and later, the Post-Impressionist movement led by Paul Cézanne in the early 20th century.&nbsp;What matters most is that today’s artists are no longer bound by the need for literal "representation", the faithful depiction of nature or the prominent figures of society.&nbsp;NUMEA follows modern and innovative methodologies in contemporary art, reflecting a significant and long-term partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic. This collaboration promotes the sustainable development of AlUla, transforming it into a unique tourist destination while preserving its historical heritage and cultural legacy. &nbsp;

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NUEMA: Art in the Valleys of AlUla

Reimagining and reinterpreting nature in artworks remains one of the most intimate and rewarding relationships an artist can form with nature. Whether to inspire serenity, reflection or awe, there is always something in nature we can honor, even sometimes with its precious metals. Nature continues to be our greatest treasure, and here we feature intricate art from the Ithra collection, &nbsp;shaped by nature’s various gifts. &nbsp;

Inspired by the sacred sites of Saudi Arabia, Aisha Khalid's project reflects her deep spiritual connection to places like the Ka'ba, the Prophet's Masjid, and Zamzam Well. For Khalid, commissioned works offer an opportunity to engage intimately with the cultural significance of such places. This tapestry, crafted from layers of lush velvet and adorned with steel and gold-plated pins, embodies her vision of these revered spaces. The rich textures and colors - black, green and blue - evoke the profound emotions tied to these holy sites, celebrating the beauty of traditional craftsmanship and its ability to convey deep spiritual narratives.

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Water Seeks the Thirsty

Here, this intricate lamp was one of the objects exhibited. Dedicated lamp keepers were in charge of lighting, extinguishing, and cleaning mosque lamps, as light was essential for both fajr (dawn) and ‘isha’ (night) prayers. This lamp would have been suspended from the ceiling with a glass saucer or tube inside to hold the oil or wick. The names inscribed on the lamp refer to an 8th/14th-century donor, suggesting that this lamp was made to replace an earlier original which was broken. It also quotes from chapter Al-Nur (24:35) of the Holy Qur’an.&nbsp;

“Ithra’s exhibit examined the waqf as it applies to the running and maintenance of the mosque which sits at the heart of Islamic community and civilization. In particularly it displays a range of items once housed in mosques across the Muslim world and examines them in relation to waqf ledgers detailing the expenditures of the famous mosques which contained schools, libraries, fountains and a khanqah, a form of meeting house,” said Idries Trevathan, the Curator of Islamic Art and Culture at Ithra.

Light is life, and life is light.&nbsp;As part of the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale that is taking place from January 25 to May 25, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) showcased six Islamic artifacts, each with its own story and history.

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Light as Art

“In its simplest form, a waqf refers to an inalienable endowment under Islamic law. It typically involves donating a building, a piece of land or an object for Muslim religious or charitable purposes. The donation cannot be revoked, even by the donor. And cannot be changed, even many years after the donor’s death. Waqf is an act of socioeconomic solidarity in the community realizing balance and inclusion, be it providing aid, development and elevation on all levels, benefiting both rich and poor,” he said.To discover more of Ithra’s collection, please visit <a href="https://www.ithra.com/en/visit-ithra/attractions/museum" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ithra Museum</a>. &nbsp; &nbsp;

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 Golden Threads of Nature 

Nature is the source of all true knowledge. She has her own logic, her own laws, she has no effect without cause nor invention without necessity . . . And water is the driving force of all nature. 



The Serenity of blue, the passionate intensity of red, and the joy of orange — colors inspire us as much as they identify parts of us.When you’re tired, get a boost of yellow as it has been scientifically proven to improve mental activity and enhance awareness and energy levels.Green — one of the main colors of nature — inspires feelings of connections to mother nature and to our more tranquil self, providing overall freshness and growth.Different shades inspire different emotions and memories. For 2025, Pantone – a leader in color standardization – has chosen the warm, comforting color of <a href="https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year/2025?srsltid=AfmBOopsHLD8EiUH_J-5gI25GDlgBxDbG9Il20gc8FSBuCD0xe88Cbbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse</a>, a brown hue imbued with richness that reminds us of coffee and chocolate.

Brown, in its different shades, is a color that inspires respect as it is associated with stability, wisdom, and earth. From the lightest browns of the desert to the darkest of mud and soil, mother nature’s earthy tones and its many moods are celebrated in this special edition dedicated to ‘Nature' and all its diversity of beings and landscapes.Nature is our greatest artist. It inspires as it nurtures, expands, and contracts, all the while demanding our respect and protection.Ithraeyat is also celebrating its fifth anniversary, and for this special occasion, it honors the delicate and intricate art of nature itself — a close-up of a butterfly’s wing.Whether zoomed in or seen from afar, there is no competition to nature’s mastery on its many canvases.&nbsp; &nbsp;

We have to thank the photographers, the scientists, the storytellers and the artists for documenting the natural world around us in unique ways.Art capturing nature, whether via photographs, paintings or illustrations — such as the colorful illustration of Sloane's urania shared here that went extinct in 1908 — now serves, in a tragic way, the only visual documents of lost biodiversity and habitats.<a href="https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/extinct-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">These artistic documents and images</a> serve as a critical historical collective memory of our natural world and a reminder of what was, and may never be again.&nbsp;Enjoy seeing things that may be right in front of you, or near your feet, with a new appreciation. &nbsp;

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“As a former clinical psychologist, I am intimately aware of life's harshness, which I consciously avoid in my work, choosing instead to focus on the good, the true, and the beautiful. Each piece represents a new attempt to solve a puzzle and capture an idea. When I achieve a sense of harmony, my work is complete. In essence, I aim to capture reality as I perceive it—its inherent potential, hopes, and magic—and share this vision with the viewer,” said Ángeles M. Pomata, who has been dedicated to art for the past ten years.&nbsp;Discover more of Ángeles M. Pomata art <a href="https://ampomata.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.

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A Gift of Art to our Readers:

Artworks by Ángeles M. Pomata

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What Color Are You? — Homage to Colorful Nature

Join us on a journey through different artistic worlds. Explore the creative realms of talented artists who offer us the joy of visual contemplation. Immerse yourself in their vibrant and expressive spaces, where human ideas blend seamlessly with guided inspiration and delightful chaos.

"For me, art is an expression, a dialogue, and an interaction between myself and the world around me. This interaction brings joy and a deeper understanding of my artistic vision, ultimately shaping new perspectives on my surroundings." — Sultan ZeyadSultan Zeyad, a Saudi artist from Riyadh, invites us into his artistic world through his paintings, which captivate viewers with their depth and creativity. His ability to harmonize bold and diverse colors in a simple yet balanced manner leaves the audience in awe, offering a mesmerizing visual experience. He pursued his studies in Art Education at King Saud University before receiving a scholarship to the United States, where he completed his Master’s and Ph.D. in Fine Arts. He later worked as a professor of drawing and design at King Saud University for six years before dedicating himself fully to his art as a professional artist.<a href="https://ithraeyat.ithra.com/editions/nature/wonder-and-renewal" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more about Sultan here.</a>

Sultan Zeyad

"Art is life, beauty, and a language that speaks to the heart." — Nouf Al JameaNouf Al Jamea, a visual artist from Khobar, has a deep passion for painting and appreciating all forms of art. Her expressive and captivating works are distinguished by their striking colors and delightful compositions. Encouraged by her family and through continuous practice, she has honed her artistic skills over the years. Her creations often reflect her love for cats and nature, depicted across various surfaces in unique and imaginative ways.<a href="https://ithraeyat.ithra.com/editions/nature/a-language-that-serenades-the-hearts" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more about Nouf here.</a>

Nouf Al Jamea

"My goal in art is to revive cultural connections and foster a deeper understanding of our shared human experiences." — Hussain Al IsmailSaudi visual artist Hussain Al Ismail presents stunning works filled with color and rich in materials and techniques. His artistic approach includes 3D objects, sculptures, collage, and video art. Through his work, he seeks to offer a fresh artistic perspective on Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity, celebrating its depth, diversity, and beauty.&nbsp;<a href="https://ithraeyat.ithra.com/editions/nature/flowers-and-lollipops" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more about Hussain here.</a>

Hussain Al Ismail

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Artistic Expressions

Books set in natural landscapes have a different rhythm from those set in cities. They often leave behind the instant gratification of plot twists, clues, fights, and pulse-pounding conclusions. Instead of moving in straight lines, they often move in spirals, revealing more as we get closer and closer to the book’s beating heart.&nbsp;When we read the literary works below, we are the patient hunter; we read meditatively and watch for truths to come into sight, and then we follow them quietly back to their lair. These stories, novels, and poems immerse us directly in the scent and feel of the natural world.Even if you’ve never been to the Omani mountains, you can smell the hopbush, juniper, and dionysia in Zahran Alqasmi’s Honey Hunger. These works also remind us that we, too, are a part of nature. Even if we live in the always-hurrying world of computers and phones, we also belong to the larger web of being.

We start our nature-reading journey here, in the eighth century, joining avid hunter and extraordinary poet Abu Nuwas. His long-ago expeditions, modeled after lavish royal hunts, were &nbsp;probably staged on the secluded grounds of Iraqi Christian monasteries. Yet despite this relatively tame environment, we see the worlds of animals sharp and fresh.&nbsp;Here, a portrait of a hunting dog:“I sing of a dog pulling on the leash / like a lunatic terrified of needles / bolting from a doctor.&nbsp;We provoked him / but we needn’t have—he crackled / with pure energy, set to run like a star / shot from the sky.”<a href="https://www.aldiwan.net/poem64372.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">(Arabic version)</a>

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 A Demon Spirit: Arabic Hunting Poems, by Abu Nuwas, edited and translated by James E. Montgomery

Ibrahim al-Koni’s 1990 novel shows us a different aspect of the natural world. We find ourselves in the punishing Libyan desert, among an often nomadic people. Gold Dust focuses on the intense relationship between a young Tuareg man and his beloved camel, and it offers us striking literary descriptions of both the real and spiritual dimensions of the natural world. Here, the bond between a Tuareg man and his mehri camel might be stronger than the ties that bind him to humanity.

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Ibrahim al-Koni’s Gold Dust

Egyptian writer Mohammed Makhzangi’s 2006 short-story collection takes place in locations all around the world, often placing animals at the center of all-too-familiar violent human conflicts. Instead of bringing human characters into a peaceful natural scene, Makhzangi asks: What do deer, horses, and puppies feel amidst the US invasion of Iraq? What happens when rabbits are caught up in a popular uprising? Human cities are put in the background as we focus on the lives of animals, and how they might feel about the way we treat each other and the natural world.&nbsp;

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Mohammed Makhzangi’s Animals in Our Days, translated by Chip Rossetti

This lush 2017 novel is an essential read as our world undergoes drastic climate change. We follow its narrator, Azzan, as he camps out alone with his bees in the Omani lowlands, and later as he and two friends hunt for wild honey in the country’s rugged mountains. Throughout, the natural world is both overpowering and fragile. Here, we are not called on to be steward and “protect” nature, but rather to respect it, and to honor ourselves as a part of it.To enjoy the borderless world of books, please visit <a href="https://www.ithra.com/en/visit-ithra/attractions/library" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ithra Library</a> and the <a href="https://arablit.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Arablit website.</a>

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Zahran Alqasmi's Honey Hunger, translated by Marilyn Booth

*Guest contributorM. Lynx Qualey is the editor-in-chief of the ArabLit cooperative and founder of <a href="https://arablit.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ArabLit.org</a>, a website that brings together translators, authors, publishers, critics, academics and readers around discussions of Arabic literature in translation.

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Where Nature and Words Meet

The leopard does not change his spots.


On June 12,&nbsp; 2023, to raise awareness about this national icon, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed February 10 as the International Day of the Arabian Leopard in&nbsp;<a href="https://undocs.org/A/RES/77/295">resolution 77/295</a>, whereby the Arabian&nbsp;Leopard&nbsp;Day was first launched by The Royal Commission of Alula in 2022.&nbsp;By celebrating this Day, the UN ultimately seeks to restore the Arabian leopard as "a flagship species for conservation and sustainability in its native region while emphasizing the critical role of biodiversity in maintaining the health and resilience of our planet’s ecosystems,” stated the UN website.

International Day of the Arabian Leopard 

For the inhabitants of the Arab region, the Arabian Leopard—known in Arabic as ‘Al-Nimr Al-Arabi’— part of its scientific name ‘Panthera pardus nimr,’ has long represented beauty, tranquillity, physical strength, fearlessness, and freedom. These enigmatic big cats continue to occupy a special place in the collective imagination and narrative; their story is immortalized in mythical stories and even everyday expressions.A strong and brave man may be called a Nimr or Nimran, and a clever and courageous woman may be called Nimrah.&nbsp;“I love our nation’s diverse biodiversity, and I am happy that the beautiful and strong Arabian leopard is getting attention as it is like the maestro in the ecological musical team,” said Ahmed Al-Boug, the General Manager of Terrestrial Conservation at the National Center for Wildlife (NCW).Historically finding itself to roam harsh terrains of dry, rocky mountains and unforgiving sandy deserts, it is no wonder that the Arabian leopard has always been rare as they would need to wander along large territories to access enough prey to sustain themselves.“Breeding is just one part of our national pride and drive to protect nature and its fauna and flora. We raise awareness, educate the different sides, conduct national campaigns, research, train future field teams and rangers who protect and monitor, and do many different aspects for the success of our nature,” said Al-Boug. “Our people are more aware now and do their best to protect their country’s vast natural habitats.” &nbsp;

With estimates of just 100 to 120 in the wild, conservation and breeding efforts help revive the ‘Panthera pardus nimr,’ the smallest leopard subspecies.

Born with light blue or green eyes, the Arabian leopard's eyes often settle on a more sandy-green brown colour as adults, and their fur varies from pale yellow to deep golden, tawny, and patterned with rosettes — often lighter in colour than other leopard subspecies. Known for their tree-climbing abilities, they are the runt of the litter&nbsp; — the smallest of the eight leopard subspecies. Their males weigh around 30 kilograms, and females weigh 20 Kilograms, half the size of their African cousins found on savannas.Like any animal, the species’ colouring is associated with the specific region where it lives. Therefore, the Arabian leopards display a light-yellow fur that is paler than that exhibited by other subspecies.One of the first scientific records of the Arabian Leopard was in the early&nbsp;nineteenth century, 1833, when two German naturalists, Wilhelm Hemprich and Christian Ehrenberg, spent nearly five years collecting flora and fauna specimens from the Red Sea area in both Africa and Arabia.And the world continues to be fascinated by these majestic cats, whereby all-sized cats continue to charm their human companions.&nbsp;

The smallest of the eight leopard subspecies

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Honoring the Mysterious Arabian leopard

In a world of constant anxiety and worry about looming threats from climate change, conflict and war, many of us turn to nature for peace, succour, and even survival. Wherever we live in the world, we know places to escape to – the sea, the forest, the desert, the mountains. We know where they are, they call to us, and we know that they will embrace us, shelter us, and perhaps even make us whole again. That knowledge of course is not new. In fact, throughout human history and around the globe, stories remind us of the powerful role nature can play in our well-being, regeneration, and survival. This painting references one of them.At first sight, it evokes a beautiful nature scene of serene calm and rest: two couples relaxing and chatting in a lush green landscape ablaze with colorful flowers, blooming trees, tall cypresses and gently flowing rivers – all enclosed by vibrant rock formations. A haven of peace.

And yet, their reason for being there is not leisure, but survival – from a devastating massacre which, according to the story told, the Turanians had visited upon their Mongol people. The massacre had left only the four of them alive: Prince Nekuz, Prince Qiyan, and their two wives. Together, they had managed to escape by following a narrow track to a plain sheltered by the Ergenekon mountain range.&nbsp;It was here, nested and safe in the fertile valley evoked in the painting above, that – according to legend – the four of them started again, their children multiplying and dividing into tribes over the next 400 years. It was only then that the Egenekon plain became too crowded. In fact, living space had become so tight that the only way to leave was to blast a passage through an iron mine tunnel in the mountain face!

Written by Special Guest Contributor Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis, Director and CEO at the <a href="https://agakhanmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Aga Khan Museum</a>, Toronto.&nbsp;In each issue, we feature a special treasure from the Aga Khan Museum, one that tells a story, captures a moment and inspires conversation.

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