Thursday, September 24th, 2015

Dervishes and their belongings exhibition


On Monday September 21, 2015 a historic event was witnessed by more than three hundred visitors to the museum of the Diyanet Center of America (DCA). It was a combined grand opening of the museum and it’s first, “DERVISHES AND THEIR BELONGINGS” brought to the magnificent DCA Islamic and cultural campus by the New East Foundation (NEF), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Turkish arts and culture.

The exhibit featured 300 historical artifacts reviving the daily life in dervish convents. The audience was in awe and inspired by the rare pieces of elaborate calligraphic artworks, talismans, metal works, garments, and traditional musical instruments. Visitors, “This amazing exhibit takes you on an intimate journey through time as we witness a part of the Dervishes and the aesthetics of Turkish Sufi Tradition. Their belongings have left an indelible imprint on the fabric of my consciousness.” In addition to the historical objects, the exhibit included contemporary artworks that re-interpret dervishes’ philosophy of beauty with a modern art perspective. “The real essence of Muslim culture embraces peace and a great tradition of arts in its core,” said the host of the exhibition, NEF President Atilgan Bayar. “Turkish Sufi tradition and dervish culture are fine examples of how this essence plays a central role in Muslim civilization.”
Also in attendance at the exhibit’s grand opening was CAIR’S co-founder and executive director, Nihad Awad and local Islamic Museum curator and collector Amir Muhammad. Dr. Yasar Colak, President of the Diyanet Center of America (an affiliation of the Turkish American Community Center), greeted the many guest in attendance and he welcomed everyone to visit this extraordinary display before it departs on October 21, 2015.
The “Dervishes and Their Belongings” exhibition will be on display daily at the newly opened Diyanet Center of America with visiting hours of 10a.m. to 5p.m. The center’s location is at 9704 Good Luck Road, Lanham, MD 20706; phone 301 459-9589 for more information. The exhibit is free and open to the public with group tours available with reservations.

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