The 11th Annual Islamic Arts Festival Wraps Up with Unforgettable Experiences, Record Attendance, and Community Support.

The 11th Annual Islamic Arts Festival, hosted by the Houston-based Islamic Arts Society, drew record-breaking crowds and brought together artists and attendees from across the country. Held on November 9-10, 2024, this year’s festival celebrated Islamic art, culture, and tradition in an expanded format, marking a new chapter for the event in its move to the University of Houston.

This year’s festival showcased over 5,000 pieces of art by more than 50 artists, offering an impressive array of calligraphy, ceramics, geometric art, canvases, and other unique art forms. With its larger location, the festival featured new additions to the lineup, including a Film Festival, Spoken Word performances, an Academic Seminar, and a live Sufi music concert, which enhanced the immersive cultural experience. Hands-on workshops, art demonstrations, and family-friendly activities like the interactive photo booth and children’s art activities added even more ways for attendees to explore the beauty of Islamic art.

One of the festival’s standout highlights was the live Sufi music concert by Spain’s renowned Al Firdaus Ensemble, alongside a comedy show by Houston’s own Preacher Moss, accompanied by Marlin Hill and Moses the Comic, that delighted attendees with their wit and charm. Children and adults alike enjoyed interactive exhibits, where they could try their hand at the arts, learn about the various types, or dress in traditional attire to capture the memory in the festival’s Photo 360 booth.

This event’s success would not have been possible without the support of key sponsors, including the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Islamic Society of Greater Houston, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Asia Society Texas Center, Children’s Museum Houston, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, and Risala Foundation. Together, these partners helped create a welcoming and educational environment for all.