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The Aga Khan Museum was honoured to welcome distinguished guests this week to celebrate the opening of As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award, a landmark exhibition illuminating two decades of contemporary Islamic art.

Co-curated by Dr Ulrike Al-Khamis, Director and CEO of the Aga Khan Museum, and Al Burda Fellows Fatma Mahmoud, Sara bin Safwan and Shaikha Al Zaabi, the exhibition bridges historic and modern artistic expressions, exploring themes of light, spirituality and creativity through calligraphy, ornamentation, poetry, contemporary paintings and more.

“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,” said Dr Ulrike Al-Khamis, Director and CEO of the Aga Khan Museum.

“Together, we have opened a new world of intercultural artistic appreciation, dialogue and understanding. To that end, our storytelling approach is not only factual but also allows for empathetic, inclusive engagement. Striving for the art to be presented in a way that transcends cultural differences, the exhibition invites aesthetic appreciation, engenders conversation, and serves as a creative resource for intercultural learning.”

The occasion was attended by Prince Aly Muhammad, representing Mawlana Hazar Imam; His Excellency Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture of the United Arab Emirates; members of the diplomatic community and officials from all levels of government. It marked the first exhibition presented under the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding between the Aga Khan Museum and the UAE Ministry of Culture. This collaboration represents a significant step in advancing a shared commitment to intercultural dialogue through the arts.

“Our collaboration with the Aga Khan Museum, highlighted through the As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award exhibition, 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,” said H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture.

“Their creative vision and dedication, nurtured by this unique partnership, underscore our shared commitment to supporting emerging voices and advancing cultural diplomacy. By bridging the artistic heritage of the UAE and Canada, we are laying the foundation for a more connected and inclusive global artistic landscape.”

As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award will be on view to visitors until 15 February 2026. Learn more below.

Step into a world where beauty and meaning intertwine and light becomes a radiant beacon of inspiration.

As the Sun Appears from Beyond celebrates over 20 years of contemporary Islamic art, illuminating its enduring legacy, creativity, and spiritual resonance. Making its North American debut after opening at the 18th Al Burda Award ceremony, which took place at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the exhibition is presented in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Culture.

With more than 60 captivating works from the Al Burda Award collection, placed in dialogue with selections from the Aga Khan Museum Collections, the exhibition showcases classical and contemporary artworks featuring Arabic calligraphy, poetry, and intricate ornamentation — all celebrating Islamic artistic traditions. As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award invites you to experience Islamic art as a living, evolving form of contemporary expression.

A Journey of Light
Inspired by the Quranic verse, “There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book” (Surat Al-Ma’idah, 5:15), the exhibition traces the journey of divine light — Al-Noor — a theme shared by both the 2024 Al Burda Award and the Museum’s 10th anniversary. From visual art to a captivating poetry listening station, the exhibition illuminates pathways to understanding, renewal, and spiritual connection. It reflects a conversation between the past and the present, offering a captivating experience that bridges the physical and the spiritual.

Global Collaboration
As the Sun Appears from Beyond is the result of a shared commitment to intercultural dialogue and artistic excellence between the Aga Khan Museum and the UAE Ministry of Culture. It was conceived in collaboration with three Emirati art practitioners who were awarded the first Al Burda Grant, a professional capacity-building residency hosted at the Museum. In July 2024, they travelled to Toronto to work closely with the Museum’s curatorial team, reimagining timeless Islamic artistic traditions for a global audience.