September 2013 - Leiden University

Ahmed Mater visits Leiden University

There are two exhibitions in the city of Leiden in the Netherlands opening in September 2013, which are of interest to us. Firstly, there is a celebration of 400 years of Arabic studies in the Netherlands: Excellence and Dignity, which is organized by Leiden University Libraries. Then secondly, the National Museum of Ethnology, Museum Volkenkunde, is showing Longing for Mecca - an exhibition about the Hadj. This second exhibition will include several contemporary artworks made by artists from Saudi Arabia.

 

To install his work Magnetism for the exhibition in Museum Volkenkunde Ahmed Mater visited the city of Leiden and its university, which is the oldest in the Netherlands. It was founded in 1575 by William of Orange - after the town withstood an enemy siege - to create an administrative, theological and scientific elite for the nation. Of Ahmed's visit to Leiden, we made some pictures with the inevitable smartphone and present those here.

 

With dr. Arnoud Vrolijk, curator of Oriental manuscripts and rare books at Leiden University Libraries. Looking at the original photo's made by Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje (1857-1936) and Abd-el Ghaffar, the physician from Mecca, around 1885.

Inside Rapenburg 61, once the house of dr. Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje, professor of Islamic studies, now the office of Leiden University Fund.

Listening to Jeddah music recorded in 1908 at the exhibition celebrating 400 years of Arabic studies in the Netherlanes.


September 6, 2013

Adapted June 22, 2017.