In a move that has sparked controversy and backlash, Frick Pittsburgh, a museum in the United States, has come under fire for postponing an Islamic art exhibition due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The decision has drawn criticism from both Muslim and Jewish communities locally, who view it as insensitive and perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

The exhibition, titled "Treasured Ornament: 10 Centuries of Islamic Art," was originally scheduled to open on Saturday but has now been rescheduled for August 2024. According to internal emails and the museum's director, the staff believed that proceeding with the exhibition during the conflict would be "insensitive" to the Jewish community and others.

However, the museum's decision to cite only a scheduling conflict as the reason for the postponement, instead of mentioning concerns regarding the war, has further fueled the controversy. Muslims and Jewish people in the region expressed their disappointment with the museum's lack of transparency.

In response to the backlash, Frick Pittsburgh released a statement on its website, expressing deep regret for the unintended hurt caused by their unclear communication. The museum promised to "repair our relationships with the Muslim community" and acknowledged the need to engage with the regional Muslim community for a more inclusive exhibition experience.

Elizabeth Barker, the director of Frick Pittsburgh, attempted to justify the postponement, stating that the museum wanted to avoid showcasing an exhibition that could be considered traumatic for many members of the community, particularly during a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Christine Mohamed, executive director of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair), criticized the museum for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and devaluing the work of artists from the Islamic world. Mohamed explained that linking the exhibition's postponement to potential harm to the Jewish community wrongly portrayed Muslims and Islamic art as synonymous with terrorism and antisemitism.

The controversy has not only caused tensions within the Muslim community but also within the Jewish community, following the recent fifth anniversary of a mass shooting at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue. Adam Hertzman of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh emphasized that the art exhibition should not be connected to events in Gaza, as it is a celebration of religious culture and diversity.

Frick Pittsburgh has pledged to use the additional time until the rescheduled opening date next summer to rebuild community trust. The museum acknowledged the need for a deeper historical context and engagement with the regional Muslim community. They aim to cultivate meaningful community partnerships and develop relevant interpretation and educational programs for the exhibition.

The decision by Frick Pittsburgh to postpone the Islamic art exhibition has fueled a much-needed conversation about cultural sensitivity, inclusivity, and the importance of avoiding blanket statements about religious groups. As the museum works towards reparations, the hope is that this incident will lead to a better understanding and appreciation of the rich and diverse Islamic art represented in the exhibition.