Islam in Sicily exhibition culminates in UAE

By: Sultan Ahmed

ABU DHABI, UAE: An exhibition titled “Islam in Sicily”, hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was concluded here on Tuesday November 9.

The UAE Minister for Justice and Islamic Affairs Sheikh Muhammad bin Nakhira Al-Dhahiry launched in the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan the exhibition that was organized by the Italian embassy here. The Italian Foreign Ministry also played a part in staging of the exhibition, as did the Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Sicily, with the cooperation of the General Directorate for Exhibitions in Florence.

The minister was shown various documentary films depicting the arrival and conquests of Muslims in Sicily and other places in the West. He later commented that such cultural events do indicate the depth of the relationship between the UAE and Italy, not only in the cultural fields, but also in the social and historical fields.

The exhibition placed great importance on ancient manuscripts, particularly those in Arabic, that depict the life and customs and traditions of the Italians in those days.

Sicily (an island), and a region of Italy, is home to beautiful beaches, outstanding cuisine, and a bit of Italian history on every corner. It's located just southwest of the Italian mainland and it's the largest Mediterranean island.

Invaded by many armies over the centuries, it became the site of Roman, Greek and Phoenician colonies. Blends and remnants of those cultures remain to this day.

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