The launch of the third season of the Al-Azhar International Forum for Caricature and Portrait entitled “Gaza… Unbreakable Resilience”
The Center for the Development of Education for Expatriate and Foreign Students at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif announced the launch of the third season of Al-Azhar International Forum for Caricature and Portrait, under the title “Gaza… Unbreakable Resilience,” during the period from January 15 to February 15, 2025 AD, under the generous sponsorship of the Grand Imam. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, and general supervision Dr. Muhammad Al-Duwaini, Undersecretary of Al-Azhar, and under the executive supervision of Dr. Nahla Al-Saidi, Advisor to the Sheikh of Al-Azhar for Expatriate Affairs, Head of the Center for the Development of Education for Foreign and International Students.
Al-Azhar Caricature Forum is a step in Al-Azhar’s support for the Palestinian cause
The Undersecretary of Al-Azhar explained that this year’s Al-Azhar Caricature Forum bears the title “Gaza… Unbreakable Resilience.” Under the slogan “Be Human”, to highlight the suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, which is a new step in the process of Al-Azhar’s support for the Palestinian cause, through fine art, considering art a tool for expressing and defending humanitarian issues, as well as supporting the steadfastness of the people of Gaza and linking Art with sublime humanitarian messages, stressing that the forum reflects Egypt’s historical positions in supporting the issues of the Arab and Islamic nation, most notably the issue Palestinian.
Purposeful art contributes to consolidating cultural identity and linking generations to their civilization and heritage
For her part, Dr. Nahla Al-Saidi explained that the Al-Azhar Cartoon Forum includes artistic workshops dedicated to students coming to Al-Azhar, aiming to develop their skills In the fields of caricature and portraiture, it also seeks to enable participants to express humanitarian issues in a creative manner that reflects human values and ancient heritage, and encourages The students are to present artistic works that highlight the suffering of the Palestinian people and enhance their awareness of international issues, thus contributing to spreading the values of justice and peace.
The forum aims to support Al-Azhar’s mission in promoting meaningful art that expresses Islamic culture and moderate moderate thought. , highlighting the importance of the Palestinian issue and supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people.
Contest conditions
1. The participant must be at least 18 years old. 2. The participating works must be original and modern and not submitted in other competitions. 3. Submit a written declaration proving that the work was produced by the artist. 4. Works produced using artificial intelligence will be excluded, and the participant will bear moral and legal responsibility if this is proven. 5. The winners of the first three places in one of the competition branches are excluded from running for the same branch in the following year. 6. It is allowed to participate in both sections of the competition, but only one section can be nominated to win. 7. Maximum submission of works: two works in each section. 8. The size of the submitted work must be not less than A3 and not more than 2 MB.
Competition sections
1. The caricature
includes artistic paintings that highlight the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and embody their steadfastness in the face of aggression.
2. Portrait
It deals with drawing prominent Palestinian figures, such as: Sherine Abu Aqla: the journalist known as “The Voice of Palestine.” Naji Al-Ali: The cartoon artist known as “Handala”. Mahmoud Darwish: the great Palestinian poet and author of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence.
Contest Prizes
Caricature and Portrait Competition:
First place: $1000.
Second place: $700.
Third place: $500.
Incentive prizes:
Three incentive prizes worth 1,000 pounds for each winner of the workshop participants.
All winners receive certificates. Estimate from His Eminence the Grand Imam and the Shield of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif.
To participate in the competition, please visit Al-Azhar’s electronic portal to view the competition conditions and application details. Works must be sent via email: cartoon@azharonline.edu.eg before the deadline for submission.
The names of the winners and the date of holding the Third Al-Azhar International Forum for Cartoons and Portraits will be announced through the Al-Azhar portal and various media channels.