Aga Khan Museum Celebrates 20 Years of Al Burda Award with New Exhibition

On June 18, 2025, the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto inaugurated a significant exhibition titled "As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award," celebrating two decades of contemporary Islamic art. This exhibition highlights the Al Burda Award, established in 2004 by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Culture, which aims to promote creativity and raise awareness of Islamic art and culture globally.

The event was attended by dignitaries including Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, the UAE Minister of Culture, His Excellency Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi, and various representatives from the diplomatic community. Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis, Director and CEO of the Aga Khan Museum, co-curated the exhibition alongside Al Burda Fellows Fatma Mahmoud, Sara bin Safwan, and Shaikha Al Zaabi. Dr. Al-Khamis emphasized the importance of fostering intercultural dialogue through art, stating, "Together, we have opened a new world of intercultural artistic appreciation, dialogue, and understanding."

The exhibition features a diverse array of works that bridge historical and modern artistic expressions, exploring themes of light, spirituality, and creativity through calligraphy, ornamentation, and contemporary paintings. This initiative marks the first collaboration under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Aga Khan Museum and the UAE Ministry of Culture, signifying a mutual commitment to enhancing cross-cultural partnerships.

His Excellency Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi remarked on the significance of this collaboration, stating, "Our collaboration with the Aga Khan Museum exemplifies the powerful impact of cross-cultural partnerships in fostering artistic innovation and dialogue."

The Al Burda Award has recognized over 355 poets, calligraphers, and artists over its two-decade history, celebrating excellence in ornamentation, poetry, and calligraphy. In 2024, the initiative expanded with the introduction of the Al Burda Grant programme aimed at supporting artists and cultural practitioners in their creative endeavors.

This exhibition will be open to the public until February 15, 2026, inviting visitors to engage with the rich tapestry of Islamic art and its evolution. The Aga Khan Museum, part of the Aga Khan Development Network, aims to inspire curiosity and understanding of Muslim cultures through its artistic offerings, thus contributing to the global cultural landscape.

The importance of such exhibitions transcends mere artistic appreciation; they serve as platforms for dialogue and understanding in a world that increasingly values intercultural exchange. The collaboration between the UAE and Canada, as demonstrated through this exhibition, lays the groundwork for a more inclusive global artistic community.