Al-Andalus has become a powerful strategic reference nowadays. Current studies on art, science and history as much as the heritage management as economic and social stimulator and international relations, look at al-Andalus in order to identify ways to design intercultural communication channels. 

One of the challenges of this project is to reconstruct the contexts of which al-Andalus was part: Islam, the Mediterranean and the West. This will be achieved by means of a multitasking group following a research line that started in a previous project (HAR2013-45578R).

Al-Andalus has become a powerful strategic reference nowadays, that is present today not only from the art, science and history viewpoints, but also from the heritage management, as important economic and social stimulator. Those involved in the international relations, look at al-Andalus in order to identify ways to design intercultural communication channels.

The project focuses, not only on the study of the past but also on aspects related to the present and the relations between all the shores of the Mediterranean. Therefore, the challenge is to show the wealth and diversity of the Islamic culture in all its expressions of which al-Andalus constitutes one of its pillars.

The cultural heritage in all its manifestations, as much as the scientific legacy are excellent examples of the contribution of Islam to universal culture.

It is also necessary to reflect on the theoretical paradigms used so far, on the image of the East constructed by the West in the 18th and 19th centuries, based on romantic and orientalist discourses or on the fractures derived from decolonization.

The new historical discourses of gender, diversity and multiculturalism, which are part of the exhibition policies in a good number of museums around the world, often dismiss those approaches when dealing with Islamic and Hispano-Islamic art.

The study and enhancement of the Islamic heritage should become an instrument for cultural enrichment, sociocultural development and economic regeneration in order to promote the culture of peace.

Madrasa of Sultan al-Mansur Qalawun. 1284-85.

Cairo (Egypt)

 

Mosque of Cordoba.

Aisles in the section by Abd al Rahman I.