Minister of Culture and Tourism Nabi Avcı, the Rector of the university Prof. Dr. M. Emin Arat, General Secretary Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Ersoy and Dean of the Faculty of Teology Prof. Dr. Ali Köse attended to the ceremony held on behalf of the Albaraka Art Academy and Gallery which was opened inside the Marmara University Faculty of Theology Culture Center to sustain Turkish-Islamic Arts and to support the artists.

Speaking in the opening ceremony Minister Avcı said: ‘’We know that the promotion of Albaraka Calligraphy Collection and Marbling Art Collection created from International Albaraka Calligraphy Competiton which is held once every three years since 2005 is done in many  domestic and abroad exhibitions. I want to express my gratitude to the artists who serve to our culture and art. I, as a book lover myself, am waiting for the new ones to be added to select pieces that Albaraka publishes as ‘Prestige Books’. I thank everyone who makes contributions to the Academy and to the Gallery and artists who make their art here.’’

General Manager of the Albaraka Türk Melikşah Utku said: ‘’Our aim is to bring artworks and art lovers together. We intend to give more broad courses and to train new artists in the forthcoming days. The works presented here today are the ones were awarded in the fourth of the most famous award ceremony with much participation held by Islam Conference Organization and The United Arab Emirates. Our biggest dream is to bequeath our arts thoroughly to the next generations.’’

After the opening speech, Minister Avcı was presented Gilding Calligraphy Work of Calligraphist Fatih Özkafa by Dean of the Faculty of Theology Prof. Dr. Ali Köse. Opening ribbon was cut by Minister Avcı and the protocol accompanying him with a prayer said by Prof. Dr. Raşit Küçük. After that, Minister Avcı looked at the artworks in the exhibition.

The center consisting of two departments which are art workshops and galleries, will bring outstanding artworks and art lovers together, and serve with art courses such as particularly calligraphy, illumination, marbling art and ney  (reed flute) classes in both weekdays and weekends from all ages to all segments of the society.