Friends of the Aga Khan Museum launched in Dubai

The Friends of the Aga Khan Museum in the Gulf and South Asia was opened at Concrete, a new space on Alserkal Avenue

Dubai: Friends of the Aga Khan Museum in the Gulf and South Asia was launched at Concrete, a new space on Alserkal Avenue.

The Friends of the Aga Khan Museum in the Gulf and South Asia was opened at Concrete, a new space on Alserkal Avenue, and will offer visitors a chance to see the contributions of Islamic civilisations to the world heritage.

Launched by Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, the museum offers a window into worlds that are often unknown or unfamiliar to museum goers, such as the many Muslim civilisations that have made artistic, intellectual, and scientific innovations across centuries and spanning regions from the Iberian Peninsula to China.

“The interaction between the museum and the patrons will benefit not only the museum and its patrons but also the global society of the UAE,” said Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development. “I sense that you patrons who are willing to share your resources and your personal collections with the Aga Khan Museum fully understand the essential value of pluralism.”

“The artefacts in the museum convey a clear sense of Muslim diversity, a diversity that deserves global prominence,” he said.

“They invite dialogue and with that dialogue an informed understanding of similarities and differences. I am proud to be the honorary chairman of such admirable global citizens,” added Shaikh Nahyan.

The Aga Khan Museum has had a close relationship with UAE since 2014, when the first international preview of the museum was held in Dubai, and has partnered regularly since then with the Ismaili Centre, Dubai.

Friends of the Aga Khan Museum in the Gulf and South Asia will strengthen that foundation by bringing together those in the region who share the museum’s belief that arts can build a better tomorrow through cultural exchange and dialogue.

“This launch is a landmark event for the museum,” said Aga Khan Museum director and CEO Henry S. Kim. “By establishing a presence beyond our physical location in Toronto, we will reach more visitors, have fresh opportunities to present the work of exciting artists, and spark intriguing new conversations. Ultimately, we will expand our global reach, which has always been critical to our mission.”