Toronto, Canada – June 18, 2025 – The Aga Khan Museum has inaugurated a significant new exhibition, As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award, celebrating 20 years of contemporary Islamic artistic achievement. The exhibition showcases the evolution of Islamic art through a rich array of calligraphy, ornamentation, poetry, and modern visual works.
Co-curated by Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis, Director and CEO of the Aga Khan Museum, alongside Al Burda Fellows Fatma Mahmoud, Sara bin Safwan, and Shaikha Al Zaabi, the exhibition blends traditional and modern expressions of Islamic creativity. Themes of light, spirituality, and cultural storytelling are interwoven throughout the works, highlighting the diversity and dynamism of Islamic artistic heritage.
Dr. Al-Khamis emphasized the value of cross-cultural collaboration in bringing the exhibition to life, stating:
“The collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Culture and its three exceptional Al Burda Fellows has been an honour and a joy. Working on such a prestigious project together, across and beyond cultural differences, has been a truly enriching and inspiring experience for the Museum.”
She further noted the exhibition’s emphasis on inclusive engagement, designed to encourage appreciation that transcends cultural boundaries and to promote intercultural learning through the arts.
The exhibition’s launch was attended by a distinguished gathering of guests, including Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, representing His Highness the Aga Khan; His Excellency Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture; members of the diplomatic corps; and officials from municipal, provincial, and federal governments. The event marks the first major initiative under the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding between the Aga Khan Museum and the UAE Ministry of Culture, formalizing a shared commitment to fostering intercultural dialogue.
UAE Minister of Culture H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi praised the exhibition as a milestone in cultural diplomacy:
“Our collaboration with the Aga Khan Museum… exemplifies the powerful impact of cross-cultural partnerships in fostering artistic innovation and dialogue. This exhibition marks a significant milestone for Al Burda’s rich history and the young Emirati curators who have shaped it during their residency in Toronto.”
He added that the curators’ contributions underscore a shared dedication to supporting emerging voices and advancing global artistic exchange.
The exhibition will remain open to the public until February 15, 2026.
Background
The Al Burda Award
Established in 2004 by the UAE Ministry of Culture, the Al Burda Award honours excellence in Islamic art disciplines such as calligraphy, poetry, and ornamentation. Over the past two decades, more than 355 artists and scholars have been recognized. In 2024, the initiative expanded with the launch of the Al Burda Grant, supporting new approaches to traditional art forms and promoting innovation in Islamic culture on the global stage.
UAE Ministry of Culture
The Ministry aims to enhance the UAE’s cultural landscape by supporting artistic and heritage institutions, providing platforms for creativity, and encouraging cross-cultural engagement both nationally and internationally.
Aga Khan Museum
Part of the Aga Khan Development Network, the Toronto-based Aga Khan Museum is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of Muslim cultures through exhibitions, educational programming, and performing arts.
