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‘Jusour’ – Cultural project focusing on art and architecture of Muslim communities showcased at Dubai Expo 2020

The project, which seeks to connect Australian and Tunisian scholars, is led by the University of Adelaide and features collaboration from Dr Majdi Faleh from the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment and the Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Global Heritage (CAUGH) at Nottingham Trent University.

    Text that reads Jusour, building bridges between Australian and Tunisian Scholars through art and architecture, overlaying an image of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
    Jusour

    Jusour (building bridges) aims to enhance collective disciplinary expertise, focusing on the art and architecture of Muslim communities. It is funded by the Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR). The project was delivered via film footage and photography at the Australian Pavilion, Dubai Expo 2020. In September 2022, an online symposium will take place and include academics from Australia, the UK, and Tunisia.

    The work is the culmination of collaboration between Dr Majdi Faleh, Academic Fellow at Nottingham Trent University and Visiting Researcher at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, and Associate Professor Katharine Bartsch at the University of Adelaide. The project also featured collaborators from other institutions including Dr Md Mizanur Rashid, Deakin University; Dr. Nourchen Ben Fatma, National School of Architecture and Urbanism (ENAU); Dr. Ons Najjar Mansour, Higher Institute of Environmental Technologies, Urban Planning and Building; Mehdi Elouati, Association for the Safeguard of the Island of Djerba (ASSIDJE) and Leila Ben-Gacem, Blue Fish Consulting, Tunisia.

    Dr Faleh commented: “These types of academic projects are much needed today to share knowledge across countries and promote humanitarian cultural heritage across borders.

    “Our project started with an idea and dream, and it became reality. It connects academics, experts, organisations, and business incubators; and continues to celebrate tangible and intangible heritage of Muslims in Australia and Tunisia. Our future goal is to expand the collaboration and create more ‘cultural’ bridges between the UK, Tunisia, and Australia.”

    Find out more about the project and the work of the Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Global Heritage.

    Image of skyline and buildings
    A still image from the video production showcased at the Dubai Expo 2020