Three cities from Africa, Asia and the Middle East are selected each year by the cultural body ISESCO as Capitals of Islamic Culture.
The nomination recognizes the contemporary and historical significance of the region's culture. and architecture Art as well as its contribution to Islam.
Starting with the inaugural year, we take a closer look at the winning cities and what makes them beacons of cultural significance and Capitals of Islamic Culture.
Best Capitals of Islamic Culture in the Middle East
Capitals of Islamic Culture - Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2005)
Mecca is the most sacred and respected place for all Muslims.
Located in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia on the western coast, it is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace.
Every year millions of Muslims from all over the world travel to Mecca to perform the Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.
The holiest place in Mecca is the Kaaba, but non-Muslims cannot visit the site, which was named the Islamic Capital of Culture in 2005.
Kaaba, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Capitals of Islamic Culture – Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic (2006)
Aleppo is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Some estimates suggest it is over 8,000 years old.
However, its importance declined globally and within Syria in the seventeenth century.
It was overtaken by Damascus as the capital of Syria in 1946.
However, Aleppo's importance as a trade route has left a lasting cultural legacy, with some of its most impressive architectural sites.
The Aleppo Souk, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is an example of this, with a large number of stalls selling silk and spices.
The Great Mosque of Aleppo is a testament to the city's Islamic history and geological importance.
But unfortunately today, the 11th century minaret is in ruins, destroyed in the Syrian war.
Although many of the city's architectural sites have been destroyed, the city remains one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Aleppo, Syria
Tripoli, Libya (2007)
The walled city of Tripoli is one of the best preserved Islamic cities in the world.
Within the walls of the Libyan city are a number of famous buildings, a testament to the city's past as an important area of trade.
Built in the 16th century, Dargut Mosque is a fine example of Turkish architecture.
Where the Turks entered the city nearly 500 years ago.
While the Dargut Mosque was the first mosque built by the Turks, the 19th-century Gurgi Mosque, near the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, was the last.
The interior design of the modest building speaks of the wonders of art.
It is decorated with Italian marble, Moroccan sculptures and Tunisian ceramics with 16 intricately carved domes.
Tripoli, Libya
Alexandria - Arab Republic of Egypt (2008)
Alexandria is known as one of the famous capitals of Islamic culture.
It features its library, catacombs, terraces and Roman columns.
Located in the north Egypt This Mediterranean city dates back to 331 BC.
Closer to the Greek and Roman cities to the north, this Middle Eastern contender won the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2008.
Alexandria's turbulent past has created a city steeped in different cultures.
Today, the city boasts an impressive collection of mosques, dating from ancient times to the modern era.
Built in the early 20th century, the Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque is contemporary in its construction but equivalent to the city's older mosques.
One mosque in particular, the Tarbana Mosque, is smaller and dates from the 17th century.
Alexandria - Arab Republic of Egypt
Kairouan - Republic of Tunisia (2009)
After Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, Kairouan is considered the fourth holiest site in Islam.
Within the walled city lies one of the oldest mosques in the Islamic world, the 7th century Uqba Mosque.
Kairouan was founded by the Arabs in 670 AD, who brought the Holy Quran and the teachings of Islam to Tunisia.
In addition, the conservative area has remained true to its traditions and is an important World Heritage Site.
There is also the Three Doors Mosque, which was founded in 866 AD by Muhammad ibn Qayrun al-Ma'fari.
Inside it is closed to non-Muslims but the facade is a wonderful example of Andalusian architecture, and is open for anyone to see.
Kairouan, Okba Mosque, Republic of Tunisia
Tarim - Yemen (2010)
Tarim is a city in Hadhramaut Governorate in the Republic of Yemen.
As is known, Hadhramaut was the seat of the Kinda kings in times past before the advent of Islam.
In addition, the city is famous for its many mosques, with the number of mosques reaching about 360, which is the number of days in the year.
It is also famous for science and scientists, and the city was chosen as the capital of Islamic culture in 2010 AD by ISESCO.
Tarim, Yemen
Tlemcen - Algerian Republic (2011)
Along with its predecessor Kairouan, the Algerian city of Tlemcen is one of the most important capitals of Islamic culture in Africa.
The city boasts a blend of Moroccan, Andalusian, Islamic, French and Berber cultures.
Which is closely related to architecture, music and art.
In contrast, the city began to emerge in the eighth century, with some mosques dating back to the eleventh century.
One mosque in particular, the Great Mosque of Tlemcen, dates back to 1091.
Tlemcen, Algeria
Najaf City - Iraq
One of the most famous cities in Iraq, it is also considered one of the most important cities in Iraq and the Arab world, due to the presence of the shrine of Ali bin Abi Talib, one of the most important imams for Shiite Muslims.
He is the fourth of the Rightly Guided Caliphs according to the Sunnis and the center of the Shiite religious seminary in Iraq as well.
Moreover, the city was home to Christian monasteries before Islam.
Najaf was chosen as the capital of Islamic culture in 2012, as well as being chosen by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in 2009 to host Islamic events.
Najaf City, Iraq
Medina - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2013)
Medina is considered the second most spiritual place for Islam in the world after Mecca.
Earlier, the city was the place where Islam was strengthened and flourished and it contains the burial site of the Messenger of God, Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace.
Architecturally, the city contains three of the oldest mosques in the world.
The Prophet's Mosque, the Mosque of the Two Qiblas, and the Quba Mosque are among the oldest mosques in the world, as they were founded by the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace.
The mosque underwent a major renovation in the late 20th century, and is now an imposing building on the Medina skyline, with six domes and four minarets.
The Prophet's Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world and is the resting place of the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace.
The lavish interior is a fine example of arabesque architecture, with a mix of styles from previous renovations.
Prophet's Mosque, Medina, Saudi Arabia
Sharjah - United Arab Emirates (2014)
In 1998, Sharjah was named the Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO.
Moreover, it was recognized by ISESCO as the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2014.
The cultural policy of this emirate is one of the most ambitious in the Middle East, with a wealth of galleries and museums.
One of the government initiatives aims to provide nearly 50,000 families with a library of books.
The emirate also hosts regular cultural events, one in particular being the Sharjah Biennale, which welcomes international artists to showcase their work.
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Nizwa Governorate - Sultanate of Oman (2015)
Nizwa is located in a governorate called Ad Dakhiliyah within the lands of Sultanate of Oman.
In addition, Nizwa was the capital of Oman in the early Islamic era.
This region was famous for the large number of scholars and historians in it, so much so that it was called “the egg of Islam.”
It is also famous for its old houses, ancient forts and distinctive historical castle.
Nizwa was later selected as one of the Islamic Culture Capitals for 2015 by UNESCO.
Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman
Kuwait City - State of Kuwait (2016)
Kuwait City is the capital of the State of Kuwait, located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf.
Kuwait City contains many landmarks such as historical markets, towers, palaces, and old and modern mosques.
It is easily accessible due to the availability of airports, ports and roads.
The city is divided into several areas, each with its own characteristics.
Kuwait City was chosen as the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2016.
Kuwait City, State of Kuwait
Amman - Jordan (2017)
Amman is the capital Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan It is considered an important commercial, economic and tourist center.
Amman has witnessed many local and Arab activities and festivals, especially after it was declared the capital of Arab culture in 2002.
Later, Amman was declared the 2017 Capital of Islamic Culture for the Arab region.
Amman is full of a large number of galleries, fine arts centers, several historical popular markets, and ancient architecture that remains to this day, bearing witness to the city’s civilization and history.
Amman - Jordan
Manama - Bahrain (2018)
Manama has been mentioned since the early days of Islamic history, and it is the capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain at the present time.
In addition, Manama has many tourist attractions.
It includes a large number of museums, archaeological sites and historical popular markets.
Besides, it also includes a large number of huge shopping malls spread all over it.
In addition, it was chosen as the Arab Tourism Capital in 2013, and the Asian Tourism Capital in 2014.
Later, it was chosen as the capital of Islamic culture in 2018 as well.
Manama, Bahrain
Tunis City - Republic of Tunisia (2019)
The largest city and capital of the Tunisian Republic. This city includes two parts, one old and the other modern.
The old part includes the old city, including its historical buildings and heritage sites that bear witness to the ancient city’s civilization.
The modern city includes the current modern city that surrounds the old city and its lake.
In addition to being selected as the Capital of Islamic Culture last year, it has been registered with UNESCO as a Creative City in the field of arts and crafts since 2017.
Tunis, Tunisia
Cairo - Egypt (2020)
It is the largest Arab city in terms of population, and Cairo is one of the most culturally and civilizationally diverse cities, and it is the capital. Egypt.
Moreover, Cairo is distinguished by its ancient and deep-rooted heritage and its embrace of a unique group of different types of architecture that reflect the development of Islamic architecture.
It is full of mosques, monasteries, palaces, houses, baths, arches, inns, and markets, in addition to its castles, walls, and gates.
Cairo has been chosen as the capital of Islamic culture this year by UNESCO.
Cairo, Egypt
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