Gaza's 1.5 million citizens have been cut off from the rest of the world since June 2007. Since then, the Israelis have imposed ever more severe restrictions on what may enter the territory, now significantly limiting even the most basic of humanitarian supplies including food, fuel, clothing, cooking oil and medicine. As a result, according to Press TV, hundreds of

Mention the words Islamic Art and in all likelihood drawn to your mind are images of flowing architecture, exquisitely carved out tile work, high arches, vibrant colours, almost mystical use of light, utterly breathtaking domes and many more yet similar images. These portrayals capture a rich impression of the Islamic artistic heritage. However, this image is partial and contained within a very narrow and limited résumé of Islamic art.

To uncover the reasons for this slanted view of Islamic art requires an in-depth review of history that is beyond these pages. Nonetheless, it is useful to state that whilst the causes are complex and return to multiple sources within and without of Islam, these factors are intrinsically influenced by the projection of interests for the bases of power.


An attitude inclined towards the moulding of a passive Islamic Ummah from within had long served the interests of monarchical caliphates, and their long list of undeserving heirs. This attitude had a seminal role in the articulation and development of literary and other forms of art within Islam; the cultural processes and socio-political attitudes deriving from this context served to limit and distort the true domains and potentials of artistic expression.