Over 30,000 visit 'Arts of Islam' exhibition in six weeks

The visitor profile has included VIPs, cultural associations within the UAE capital almost 700 students from 26 schools throughout the Emirates - with their teachers strongly recommending a tour to other educators throughout the region.

'We have been averaging a daily visitor total of around 700 with up to 1,100 a day on weekends,' said His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and Managing Director of Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), which brought the exhibition to the Emirates.

'The level of interest has surpassed our initial expectations and fills us with renewed confidence in the planning of additional world-class expositions we hope to bring to Gallery One in the future.'

The visitor profile spans dozens of nationalities and a wide-spread of age groups - an inclusive response which Al Muhairi says lives up to TDIC's approach of promoting 'arts education' ahead of the opening of the largest single cluster of cultural institution on its flagship Saadiyat Island project.

'It is extremely gratifying to learn that this exhibition has been of tremendous interest to students as young as 11 to those now preparing to leave University to embark on careers. We hope it is inspiring many to delve more deeply into the arts arena,' said Al Muhairi.

The 'Arts of Islam' exhibition features a unique collection of the world's finest Islamic art treasures and its Abu Dhabi showing marked the entry of the UAE capital onto the international arts exhibition circuit.

Held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, it is the first showing in the Middle East of 500 pieces from the renowned Khalili collection, some being displayed for the first time anywhere.

The exhibition has won enthusiastic acclaim from teachers within Abu Dhabi who have taken their students to visit.

The 'Arts of Islam' exhibition runs at Emirates Palace from 10am until 10pm daily with the exception of Tuesdays when, from 10am until 4pm, it is open to women only. Admission is free though visitors are requested at their discretion to make a nominal donation to the Emirates Foundation - a philanthropic organisation based in Abu Dhabi with a vision of implementing strategic projects for the benefit of the UAE nation.

Abu Dhabi has embarked on a major initiative to transform the UAE capital into a global cultural centre. The Cultural District on Saadiyat Island, which lies just 500 metres offshore Abu Dhabi city, will be home to the largest single cluster of world-class cultural assets including the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum, the Louvre Abu Dhabi universal museum, a performing arts centre and maritime museum.

An exhibition devoted to the Cultural District of Abu Dhabi, which features iconic museum concepts designed by some of the world's most eminent architects, including Frank Gehry, Jean Nouvel, Zaha Hadid and Tadao Andao, runs alongside the 'Arts of Islam' exhibition and is also free to enter.