The historical events of Muslims entrance in Sicily in ninth century, their stay there and valuable contribution by them in different spheres of life would be on display in the form of documentaries in a exhibition, to be commenced from Saturday (April 23). The exhibition "Islam in Sicily: A Garden Between two Civilisations" is being organised by the consulate general of Italy in Karachi in the patronage of City District Government Karachi in collaboration with the Institute of Architects Pakistan, consul general of Italy in Karachi Bruno A. Paquino announced it at a press conference on Thursday.
Chairman Senate Mohammadmian Soomro will formally inaugurate the exhibition, which would be opened for visitors from April 23 to May 10 2005 at Frere Hall.
VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION: Paquino said that Sicily was the first territory in Italy, which was touched by the Muslims in ninth century AD "The presence of Muslims in Sicily influenced the lives and culture of the native people and gave a valuable contribution to the development of several fields such as philosophy, mathematics, literature, astronomy, medicine, poetry, music, architecture and other aspects of daily basis," he added.
The Italian consul general confided that the exhibition, which is related to this history, would provide to be culturally relevant to the present-day Pakistan and hoped that the exhibition would leave a lasting impression on the art and cultural landscape of the country.
However, he mentioned that the exhibition should not be confined to just a cultural and artistic event nor a symbolic one but to learn what the Muslims in Sicily contributed in that society and their role in development of different fields of knowledge.
"The visitors will really enjoy the work, to be displayed during the exhibition, which is not only worthy but also meaningful, he felt.
He informed that this itinerant exhibition has already been held with remarkable success in several other Muslim countries and Pakistan would be the first non-Arab Muslim country to host it.
Bruno Paquino revealed that a second exhibition titled "Spirit-II" would also be inaugurated on the same venue and is a tribute to a group of Pakistani sailors, stranded on a ship anchored off the shores of Naples, Italy where they have been helped by the local dwellers by providing them food, water and other support.
He said alongside the main exhibition, the Italian consulate is also organising three related conferences on "Dialogue & Understanding", "The Waiting Dock, The Spirit II Case, border crossing and human rights and "The Architectural Response" on April 25, 26 and 27 respectively.