What if the soul of Palermo lies not just in its cathedrals or cannoli, but in the traces of an Arab past that still breathe into the city’s pulse?

Stepping into the Cappella Palatina, I was met by geometry, gold, and God — where Norman ambition, Byzantine splendour, and Islamic artistry mingle under one roof.

Eternal Letters is an intimate world where sacred words meet artistry — where ink, colour, and paper become storytellers, whispering tales of one of the finest traditions of the Islamic world.

This year, the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah returns for its second edition, inviting us on a pilgrimage through faith’s many expressions — traversing time, space, and all that is in between.

At the inaugural edition of Art Week Riyadh, I find myself surrounded by works from both established artists and emerging talents across Saudi Arabia and the greater MENA region — each contributing to a collective endeavour to redefine and shape their identities.

Mazara del Vallo may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of Sicily’s Arab-Norman past, but it’s a city where history still lingers in the air, waiting to be uncovered.

The Zisa Palace, home to the Museum of Islamic Art, is a gem for anyone exploring UNESCO’s Arab-Norman itinerary.

Arab rule in Sicily ended over a millennium ago, yet its influence remains deeply engrained in the island’s culture, shaping its language, cuisine, cityscape, and art.

From mosques poised above water to those carved from pink granite or forged in steel, these sacred spaces stand as unifying expressions of faith, devotion, and spirituality of Malaysia’s Muslim communities.

The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia’s latest exhibition, Oceans That Speak, explores the role of Islam in shaping the Malay World, once a maritime trade hub and cultural crossroads.