The 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah: “And All That Is In Between”
An exhibition where historic objects and new commissions sit side by side under the famous Hajj Terminal canopies.
The edition
The Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah hosted the second Islamic Arts Biennale, titled “And All That Is In Between”, from 25 January to 25 May 2025, organised by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation.
What was shown
The Biennale presented more than 500 historic objects alongside 29 specially commissioned contemporary works, arranged in sections with names such as AlBidayah, AlMadar, AlMuqtani, AlMathallah, AlMukarramah, AlMunawwarah and AlMusalla.
The venue as part of the work
The Hajj Terminal, with its celebrated canopies, is more than a gallery: it is a space of journey and passage, which makes the title a reflection on the distance between the material and the spiritual, and between heritage and the contemporary.
A lesson in beauty
The Biennale shows that Islamic beauty is not ornament alone but a system linking function and meaning, from calligraphy and geometry to light and shade under the canopies.
Sources
- Diriyah Biennale Foundation: The 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale opens in Jeddah ↗
- ArchDaily: Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 Opens in Jeddah ↗
Original Vemetto explainer in English, adapted from our Arabic page. Last reviewed: 9 November 2026.
Questions and practical notes
Visiting a large exhibition
- Check the map, sections and ticketing on the official site first.
- Pick three works and spend five minutes with each.
- Read the labels: material, date and origin.
- Respect photography rules and never touch the works.
Frequently asked questions
Where was it held?
At the Western Hajj Terminal, King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah.
Who organised it?
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation.
How can I find upcoming events?
Follow Jeddah events and organisers’ official sites.