Institut des cultures d'islam

This hybrid venue opened in late 2013 as a forum for exchange between Islamic culture and other forms of Parisian life – a first in France, whose stringent separation of religion and public life make it difficult for art and faith to share the same space. However, the Institut des Cultures d’Islam, with two floors devoted to exhibitions, also hosts a prayer room, a hammam and a restaurant. The cosmopolitan surrounding of La Goutte d’Or are the perfect place to launch this collaboration betwee the Mairie de Paris and the Société des Habous et Lieux Saints de l'Islam, an association connected to the Grande Mosquée de Paris. The aim of the project is to create dialogue and foster exchanges between the population of Barbès and art fans, whether the topics be Islamic or simply the bustling, multicultural life of the neighbourhood.