While the DAI celebrated its 3rd anniversary, Kuwait celebrated its 25th anniversary and the Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah was part of the celebration. The DAI published a commemorative book called “Kuwait Cultural Life”, in both Arabic and English. The book surveyed the role cultural activities and organisations played in the growth and development of the nation since 1961.

Amidst the celebrations, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Jaber Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah presented the DAI with a complete illuminated Mushaf (Qur’an), written in naskhi script in ink on paper, with sura headings in thuluth script. The Mushaf, which is beautifully embellished, includes a colophon that includes the name of the scribe al-Sayyed Muhammad Ali al-‘Uni (a student of al-Sayyed Ahmad al-Zareefi) and the date 1269 AH (1852 CE).

For many, the gift was the high point in a year rich with accomplishments. DAI objects were on display in The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s India Art and Culture exhibition. The Bahnasa excavation in Egypt continued, with the addition of a seminar on the effort held at the DAI that May. Ceramics courses joined Islamic art and history on the DAI’s curriculum list and the number of lectures by visiting scholars continued to grow.

The DAI newsletter began its regular appearance this year, with three issues published in Arabic and English. The bookshop, now a popular destination for books and gifts, also opened in 1986.

For Kuwait and for the Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah, 1986 was a year worthy of celebrating.