The 19th Edition of the Al Burda Award celebrates Islamic art and culture by honouring the life and legacy of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This edition aligns with the UAE’s announcement of 2025 as the ‘Year of Community’ and seeks to reinforce the noble example of the Prophet (PBUH) as a foundation for building a cohesive society rooted in the values of tolerance and coexistence.
This edition of the award is inspired by the verse ﴾ O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted ﴿ Surah Al-Hujurat - verse13. The verse emphasises that the diversity of peoples and tribes is not a cause for division, but rather a means for mutual acquaintance and integration within modern societies. It encourages mutual respect and international cooperation among different cultures and ethnicities.
The award also draws inspiration from one of the famous verses of the Burda poem by Imam Al-Busiri: "Muhammad is the master of the two worlds and of both realms — mankind and jinn, Arabs and non-Arabs alike." This verse underscores the boundless virtues of the Prophet (PBUH), portraying him as a unifying figure for all of humanity. Unity through love for the Prophet reflects the strength and cohesion of society and upholds the idea of unity beyond racial and ethnic divisions - a core value for any community.
Al Burda Award aims to inspire artists and creatives to explore new horizons of beauty and artistic expression across diverse disciplines. In its 19th edition, the award is guided by the theme ‘Social Cohesion and Unity’, inviting artists to highlight this profound human concept through their creative expressions, ranging from literary to visual arts. It celebrates the finest aesthetics of Islamic art while encouraging works that draws inspiration from this edition’s theme.
Award Categories
Objectives
By capturing the noble life and unique character of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)y, the Al Burda Award aims to:
Spread public awareness, and appreciation for Islamic art beyond the traditional formats and encourage contemporary interpretations.
Fostering innovation and creative spirit by inspiring younger generations to engage with traditional Islamic arts.
Celebrate Islamic arts as a gateway to cultural communication with the world and as part of global heritage.
Highlight values and principles of tolerance through celebrating the aesthetics of Islamic arts.
Discover and recognize established as well as emerging talent and showcase their work.
Support knowledge development by creatives and professionals through residencies, workshops, writing and other initiatives.
Key Dates
This only applies to the Calligraphy and Ornamentation categories. Applicants must ensure sufficient time for shipping their physical artworks, to be received by the Ministry no later than 13 October 2025.
The Award reinforces the key role of the UAE in supporting Islamic art through its efforts to preserve the artistic heritage of the Islamic civilisation and promote outstanding artworks to a global audience.
HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH ABDULLAH BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs