BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Various activities and exhibitions enlivened the recent Islamic Architecture Symposium 2026 held at Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (BKISHHB), offering visitors an engaging and interactive cultural experience.
Organised by several agencies, the exhibition featured a diverse range of showcases and hands-on activities, providing the public with opportunities to explore Islamic art, architecture and heritage.
The Special Gallery at the BKISHHB drew considerable attention, particularly with the participation of international diplomatic missions.
Notably, the embassies of Iran and Turkiye in Bandar Seri Begawan contributed to the exhibition, enhancing its international dimension through cultural displays and outreach initiatives.
Their involvement highlighted cooperative relations while introducing elements of their respective heritage to the Bruneian community.
The Iranian pavilion attracted strong interest from visitors, including government officials, academics, cultural figures and members of the diplomatic corps.
The Embassy of Iran showcased the country’s rich artistic heritage, featuring Persian Nastaliq calligraphy, Khatam and Moarraq craftsmanship, Islamic tilework, traditional Isfahan Qalamkar textile art, as well as a collection of photographs depicting Iran’s iconic mosques and Islamic architecture.
A highlight of the pavilion was a Kashi-Moargh demonstration session led by the embassy’s public relations officer, Javad Imani, alongside the founder of Irnei Tiles and Decals.
The session drew enthusiastic participation, with visitors given the opportunity to create their own designs using the traditional Persian mosaic technique.
Kashi-Moargh is a centuries-old art form involving the meticulous chiselling of thousands of small, colourful glazed ceramic tiles, which are assembled to form intricate geometric patterns, arabesque floral motifs and Islamic calligraphy.
Through such cultural engagement, the Iranian embassy continues to promote the richness of Iranian-Islamic civilisation while strengthening people-to-people ties between Iran and Brunei Darussalam.
Meanwhile, the Embassy of Turkiye presented a demonstration of Ebru, a traditional Turkish marbling art. The session was led by Lale Esroy, spouse of the Turkish ambassador.
Ebru involves creating vibrant patterns by sprinkling and brushing pigments onto a thickened water surface, with the floating designs then transferred onto paper or fabric.
The art form, known for its intricate swirls and floral motifs, is widely recognised for its cultural and therapeutic value.
The demonstration proved especially popular among younger visitors, many of whom actively participated, reflecting growing interest in artistic and creative activities among the youth.
The symposium continues to serve as a platform for cultural exchange and appreciation, reinforcing the significance of Islamic art and architecture both locally and internationally. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
