About the Islamic Arts Society
OUR HISTORY
In 2014, four Houstonians met at a small exhibition on Islamic arts curated by a local museum in Spring, TX. In a fortunate turn of serendipity, they bonded by their common interest and came together to put up a small art show in their local mosque. They gathered other artists who shared their interest in Islamic Arts and organized the first-ever Islamic Arts Festival in Houston. They came from varied backgrounds: an architect, a physician, an engineer, a housewife, a store owner, and a student, but they had one thing in common: their passion to create Islamic Arts! Together, they create beauty on canvas, paper, wood, glass, and ceramic tiles. Together, they laid the foundations of the Islamic Arts Society.
The Islamic Arts Society has grown over the years to become an umbrella organization of artists creating Islamic art in the USA.
OUR MISSION
Islamic Arts Society aims to share the rich heritage of Islamic arts. The society organizes events to celebrate our culture and promote the positive image of our community among Muslims and non-Muslims. Art is a common language and binds diverse communities.
By promoting Islamic arts, we hope to promote mutual understanding and to bring the broader American community together.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are the cornerstones of our organization. Most of our programs are free to participants without regard to personal characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, citizenship status, or political affiliation.
The Islamic Arts Society is a 501C3 non-profit organization and aims to
promote the rich heritage of arts in Islam.
The society organizes events to celebrate our culture and promote the positive image of our community. Art is a common language and binds diverse communities. By promoting Islamic arts, we hope to promote mutual understanding and to bring the broader Houston community together.
Our flagship event is the Islamic Arts Festival in the Fall, which is attended by over 6,000 people every year. The Arts Festival brings people from diverse cultures, faiths, and backgrounds together for a day of learning, fun, and festivity. In addition, we organize various arts display events throughout the year in art galleries, libraries, and museums. We also arrange art education days and interfaith events.
Every year, we participate in the Asia Festival and the International Festival in Houston. Our live art demonstrations have brought color to many events in Houston, and our artists have helped raise over $50K in charity auctions in Houston. We also arrange classes on Islamic arts. Our introductory classes on Islamic arts are very popular among young students and adults.
Members Of The Board
Shaheen Rahman
Board President
Shaheen Rahman is the Board President.
Shaheen has been instrumental in developing key partnerships with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH), Asia Society Texas Center, and the University of Houston. She has also organized IAS art programs and displays at several prominent institutions such as Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts, The Jung Center, the International Museum of Muslim Cultures in Jackson, MS and Philbrook Museum in Tulsa, OK.
In 2019, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner appointed Shaheen to the Board of Directors of Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) to help oversee and enhance the City of Houston’s arts and culture programs.
The outgoing President, Dr. Khawaja Azimuddin, welcomed Ms. Rahman and expressed confidence that the new leadership will take the Islamic Arts Society to greater heights. In her capacity as President of IAS, Shaheen will focus on growing the organization and expanding its reach to bring the beauty of Islamic Arts to a wider audience.
Board Members
Zakia Lalani is a board member of the Islamic Arts Society since its inception. She is a Registered Nurse by profession and works at Memorial Hermann Hospital system.
Zakia Lalani
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Emran El-Badawi is Chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, where he also serves as Program Director and Faculty of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Houston.
Dr. Emran El-Badwi
BOARD MEMBER
Dr Monira Hamid-Kundi is a general/ colorectal surgeon from Houston Texas affiliated with The Methodist Hospital. She is a graduate of the Aga khan university medical school as serves as an Emissary for the Aga Khan Foundation.
Monira Hamid-Kundi.
BOARD MEMBER
Fahim Somani is a highly skilled fine artist, sculptor, and calligrapher renowned for his diverse
use of mediums and captivating artwork.
Fahim Somani
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Khawaja Azimuddin is a gastro-intestinal surgeon in Houston, TX. He specializes in minimally invasive and robotic surgery for colon cancer and treats the diseases of the Colon & Rectum.
Khawaja Azimuddin
BOARD MEMBER
Born in Lahore, Pakistan and now residing in Spring, Texas, Zulfiqar Ali is a founding board member of the Islamic Arts Society. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University.
Zulfiqar Ali
BOARD MEMBER
Islamic Arts Festival 2019
Islamic Arts Festival
Islami Horizons Article (Pdf)
Islamic Arts Festival 2015
Islamic Arts Festival 2016
Arts Day At Maryam Islamic Centre
Islamic Arts Festival 2017
Arts Of The Islamic World Exhibition
Mayor Sylvester Turner Inaugurates Arts Of The Islamic World Exhibit In City Hall
