In her speech at the opening ceremony, Emine Erdoğan emphasized that the goal of Islamic art is to draw closer to God Almighty, noting that this goal has imbued all branches of Islamic art with moral values and spiritual advancement.
She noted that "art is sweet nourishment for the soul, and a vital human need no less important than breathing," emphasizing art's ability to sharpen the mirror of the heart and renew human emotions in a world suffering from environmental crises, wars, and injustice.
During the event, Emine Erdoğan visited several pavilions and exhibitions, including the "Journey Through the Prophet's Biography Through Turkish-Islamic Arts" exhibition, and viewed calligraphy and embroidery works by women and artists from Azerbaijan and Turkey.
The First Lady also explained in her speech that traditional Islamic arts are not merely visual creations, but rather "the product of a spiritual journey that combines patience, humility, and trust."
She added, "Loyalty to our civilization is achieved by carrying the spirit of our fine arts beyond our borders."