Antalya hosts exhibition dedicated to Prophet Muhammad


The Antalya State Fine Arts Gallery presents 36 works of art, including "Hilye-i Şerif" (The Noble Description) and talismanic shirts describing Prophet Muhammad, until April 14. Opened with the initiative of Provincial Culture and Tourism Manager İbrahim Acar, the exhibition "Şah-ı Ezhar" (The Master of Roses) also features prayers written for Ottoman emperors before they set off for war. Calligraphers Necmi Atik and İsmail Üzümlü and illumination artist Şenay Bostancı designed the works with the help of their students. Atik prepared a more than one meter Hilye-i Şerif featuring illumination decorations, the 99 names of God and the four caliphs. Atik said in a statement that everything in this exhibition represents Muhammad. At the time of the Ottoman Empire, Hilye-i Şerifs used to decorate homes. "It was a tradition. A Hilye-i Şerif was believed to protect people from evil or unfortunate occurrences, such as fires, and bring abundance to our homes," he emphasized. The displayed works are expected to be exhibited at EXPO 2016.When: Until April 14 Where: Antalya State Fine Arts Gallery