The international congress “Islam in Art, Art in Islam” organized by Erzurum Atatürk University, Faculty of Fine Arts and IRCICA, took place in Erzurum on 15-17 October 2025, with presentations by more than 100 experts from various countries. The congress opened in the presence of the Deputy Governor of Erzurum Mr. Mustafa Berk Çelik, the Rector of Atatürk University Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, the Dean of Fine Arts Prof. Dr. Bünyamin Aydemir, and the Director General of IRCICA Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç. The working sessions highlighted the arts of the Muslim world from historical and contemporary perspectives, exploring their principles, forms, themes, intercultural influences, and more. In his address, Professor Kılıç explained the philosophical foundations of arts in Islam, pointing out that Islam and art are closely connected: “Divine art has created the measures and the harmony of the universe. Artistic expressions through calligraphy, architecture, music and other arts are reflections of the divine order in earthly existence. Perception of the universe and of existence in the light of the sources of Islam defines the character of Islamic arts.”
