About Us

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In the Name of the Most High

Imam Ali Religious Arts Museum

Art is the manifestation of the Divine Spirit in man, and thus any artwork presents a sacred and elevated aspect. Religious art is always directed toward a sacred element and endeavors to open up before man a window toward the light shining from the shores of the unknown.

Religious art scholars consider the presence of a sacred or spiritual element as the criterion of a religious art or event, and with the sacred element they mean an elevated spiritual essence that is characterized by truth, purity and lack of shortcoming, encompassing all being.

Religious scholars agree that the manner of manifestation of a sacred element in the world of being is not uniform. It could take different forms and aspects that may at times seem to be contradictory.

Religious art created by a believing artist is inspired by a religious experience and the artist's beliefs are the source of his inspiration.

Historical evidences prove that a major portion of man's artistic heritage has been the objective materialization of religious ideas and that man has devoted his gift of creation on the altar of religion.

In the visual arts domain, Iran, one of the few centers of Islamic art and civilization, has offered to the world a special kind of art in a spiritual and mystic form. The organization of Imam Ali Religious Museum in the center of the Islamic Iran has been carried out on this basis and with special attention to the Divine gift of creativity in man. On that account the museum focuses first and foremost on artworks that inspire a profound understanding of the sacred element. The museum is also concerned with the contemporary art created by monotheist artists in the world.

Imam Ali Religious Arts Museum was established in 2000, the year which according to the Iranian Islamic calendar included twice the Feast of Ghadir and was on that account named the year of Imam Ali (A.S.).

The charter of the museum was ratified by the director of Tehran Municipality?s Cultural-Art Organization on May 15, 2006.

Museum?s Objectives and Programs

Imam Ali Religious Arts Museum?s objectives and programs include:

1.Collecting, compiling and introducing visual arts with religious aspects and works by monotheist artists;
2.Conducting research on religious and ritual arts;
3.Creating favorable conditions for carrying out research on religious arts;
4.Introducing artworks through the organization of exhibitions;
5.Gathering and classifying information on religious arts created in Iran and the world;
6.Establishing contacts with similar art centers in the other parts of the world with a view to creating suitable opportunities for activities that would further the museum?s objectives.

Imam Ali Religious Arts Museum intends to mount exhibitions, contact related institutions and organize art competitions in the visual arts field with a view to introducing to the world a specific kind of spiritual and mystic art.