The libraries of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) have announced the winners of the Modern Prayer Rug Design competition. Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, chose the grand prize winner Sidra Sohail, a student of VCUarts Qatar. The second prize was awarded to the design team of Ahmed al-Nowfal al-Tamimi, a student of Texas A&M University at Qatar and Masa Jamili, a student of VCUarts Qatar.
The third prize was awarded to May Makia, a graduate of Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
VCUarts Qatar dean Dr Akel I Kahera, announced the awards at the opening reception of the Modern Prayer Rug exhibition at Company House, Msheireb Museums on October 12. The Modern Prayer Rug Design competition, inspired by the creative vision of Her Highness, challenged students from across Qatar to submit concept designs that reimagined the Islamic prayer rug using traditional or unconventional materials while honouring the richness and the values of Islamic culture and heritage.
The competition was launched by the Materials Library of VCUarts Qatar in May and was open to students and alumni aged 15 years and older from schools from across Qatar. Six finalists were selected on the overall strength of their concepts, the elements and principles of design, and the creative use of materials. The rugs, which represent the work of individual and team entries, were prototyped during the summer of 2017 and put on exhibition at Company House on October 12.
The following finalists were awarded certificates of Distinguished Achievement: Aaqifa Altaf, a student of VCUarts Qatar; Hossain Mohamed Yasin Arafat, a graduate of MES Indian School; Maryam al-Semaitt, a student at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar; Nawar al-Mutlaq, a graduate of VCUarts Qatar; Neihan Yaqoob, a graduate of VCUarts Qatar; and Sultana Jesmine, a student at VCUarts Qatar.
The Modern Prayer Rug exhibition will be open at Company House, Msheireb Downtown Doha until November 14.

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