Al Burda Award

The twentieth edition of Al Burda Award celebrates the aesthetics of Islamic culture in honor of the Prophet's (PBUH) biography, aligned with the UAE's declaration of the "Year of the Family" and honoring the Prophet's role in strengthening family bonds as the foundation of a prosperous society. The theme, "Family: Tranquility and Compassion", draws inspiration from verse 36 of Surah An-Nisa, which emphasizes worship of Allah reflected through kindness within the family, extending compassion to relatives, orphans, the needy, neighbors, and companions, and the hadith in which the Prophet (PBUH) stated, "The best among you is he who is the best with his family." The Award invites artists and creatives to respond to this theme through three categories: poetry, Arabic calligraphy, and ornamentation, presenting works that embody the profound concept of family through contemporary creative expression and traditional Islamic arts. The Award aims to raise public awareness and appreciation for Islamic art beyond traditional formats whilst encouraging contemporary interpretation; foster innovation and engagement among younger generations with traditional Islamic arts; celebrate Islamic arts as a gateway to cultural communication and global heritage; highlight values of tolerance through the aesthetics of Islamic arts; discover and recognize emerging and established talent; and support professional development through residencies, workshops, and other initiatives. Registration and digital artwork submission are open from 23 April to 15 September 2026 via the Award website, with physical artwork for calligraphy and ornamentation categories to be shipped to the Ministry by 1 October 2026.