June 14, 2025 – February 15, 2026
Aga Khan Museum
The Aga Khan Museum presents As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award, a powerful celebration of two decades of excellence in Islamic art. Opening June 14, 2025, and running through February 15, 2026, this exhibition marks its North American debut following its showcase at the 18th Al Burda Award ceremony at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Developed in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Culture, it features more than 60 artworks that span classical Islamic traditions and innovative contemporary creations.
The exhibition’s core theme is “Al-Noor” (Divine Light), inspired by the Qur’anic verse from Surat Al‑Ma’idah: “There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book.” This spiritual motif connects both the Al Burda Award’s 2024 edition and the Museum’s 10th anniversary. Tapping into the light’s symbolic resonance, the installation features calligraphy, poetry, manuscript illumination, and ornamentation, offering a meditative and multisensory journey.
Visitors are guided through curated sections that interweave past and present. The Archive Section presents the evolution of the Al Burda Award over 20 years, featuring archival photographs, videos, and milestone moments (abudhabipr.com). Poetry enthusiasts will appreciate verses in both classical Arabic and Nabati dialect, spotlighting the timeless bond between language and divine light. Another highlight is the Hilya segment, showcasing elegant calligraphy depicting the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through visual artistry and contemporary interpretation.
The exhibition also celebrates sacred texts with a Holy Qur’an: Noor Ala Noor display, blending scriptural chapters with decorative arts, and honours the Prophet’s final sermon in a dedicated section exploring themes of unity, compassion, and spiritual illumination. Contemporary expressions appear through experimental works like Ammar Al Attar’s immersive “Malid,” which combines visual imagery with devotional audio recordings.
Curated collaboratively by Emirati artists Fatma Al Mahmoud, Sara bin Safwan, Sheikha Al Zaabi, and Aga Khan Museum Director Dr. Ulrike Al‑Khamis, the exhibition is grounded in intercultural partnership. It stems from the inaugural Al Burda Grant program, which brought artists to Toronto in July 2024 for a residency fostering dialogue and creative exchange.
As the Sun Appears from Beyond offers a luminous exploration of Islamic art, where centuries-old traditions meet contemporary voices, and light becomes an emblem of spiritual connection and cultural unity.
