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Name: Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis, Director of the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto

As the Sun Appears from Beyond ©Aly Manji

“In 2023, the Aga Khan Museum signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Culture of the United Arab Emirates, around a shared ethos of using the arts of the Muslim world as a tool for intercultural understanding, dialogue, and peacebuilding.“

AM: What is the significance of the Al Burda Award? 

Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis: The Al Burda Award was established in 2004 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. It is dedicated to promoting Muslim artists and showcasing Islamic art as a creative instrument for fostering intercultural dialogue worldwide.  

“Their hearts and minds came together to bring this beautiful project to life.“

To what extent does your new exhibition serve as a bridge for intercultural dialogue? 

In 2023, the Aga Khan Museum signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Culture of the United Arab Emirates, around a shared ethos of using the arts of the Muslim world as a tool for intercultural understanding, dialogue, and peacebuilding. To mark the 20th anniversary of the Al Burda Award in 2024, the Ministry appointed three young Emirati curators from the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the Museum of the Future. These curators—Fatma Al Mahmoud is the Senior Programs Manager at the Museum of the Future in Dubai; Shaikha Al Zaabi is a senior production officer at Louvre Abu Dhabi; and Sara Bin Safwan, a curator at the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi—came to our museum in Toronto in July 2024 for a curatorial residency. They engaged with mandate and our collections, reflecting on how to curate their own cultural and spiritual heritage from their unique perspectives, moving beyond conventional Western-centric narratives. 

It was fascinating to witness how these three individuals, who themselves had not met before this project, collaborated so harmoniously, including with our colleagues in Toronto. Their hearts and minds came together to bring this beautiful project to life. With our teams in Abu Dhabi and Toronto, we created an exhibition based on the 20-year collection of the Al Burda Award. The exhibition brings Islamic calligraphy, ornamentation, contemporary art, poetry, and historical masterpieces from our Museum into a dialogue about spiritual light—a theme of profound significance for both partners. The 20th anniversary of the Al Burda Award in 2024 was themed around light, as was the Museum’s 10th anniversary. Moreover, the Aga Khan Museum’s architecture is deeply informed by the symbolism of spiritual and intellectual light.  

“Both Muslims and non-Muslims are enchanted by its beauty and the warm, translucent spirituality it exudes.“

Which works particularly convey the message of cultural dialogue? 

Each object tells a story of artists who bring their aesthetic, technical, and spiritual skills to the fore. I am captivated by the individuality of the works, whether they are classical or contemporary calligraphy, ornamentation, or poetry. The way these artists have brought the theme of light to life has deeply impressed me. Artists from around the world—Turkey, Iran, Sudan, Pakistan, Syria, Egypt, and Spain—have been involved. The exhibition has just opened, and both Muslims and non-Muslims are enchanted by its beauty and the warm, translucent spirituality it exudes. I have no personal favourites, as every single work is a favourite in its own right.  

“The collection is a testament to both His Highness and his family. At its core is a significant collection of works on paper brought together by his uncle, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, a prominent figure in European and global diplomacy who served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.“

Will this collection ever travel to Germany? 

For now, we have no plans to travel the exhibition, but I know Germans have a fondness for Canada. I would be delighted if they visited us in Toronto to see the exhibition, which is on view until the 15th of February, 2026.  

Did the Aga Khan Museum originate from the private collection of His Highness the Aga Khan and his personal taste in art? Has this shaped the Museum? 

The collection is a testament to both His Highness and his family. At its core is a significant collection of works on paper brought together by his uncle, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, a prominent figure in European and global diplomacy who served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The Aga Khan family has never viewed art merely as personal pleasure but as a means to learn about and engage other cultures, build bridges between them, and celebrate the achievements of Muslim civilisations. The aim of this collection has always been to contribute to a better world and foster peace. Our mandate is to use the arts to promote pluralism and a peaceful, inclusive society. It is about a much greater vision than art for art’s sake.  

“Somewhere Between Here and There, brings together artists from diverse cultural, geographical, and religious backgrounds who explore what it means to be an “in betweener”—born of mixed families, across continents, with a multiplicity of identities, languages, and religious influences.“

In Germany, as you know, we face cultural and religious conflicts. Could you envision bringing your collection and its message to Europe? 

We are always seeking international partnerships, using our artworks and exhibitions as catalysts for new thinking, alternative narratives, and diversifying intercultural dialogue. Our travelling exhibition, Somewhere Between Here and There, brings together artists from diverse cultural, geographical, and religious backgrounds who explore what it means to be an “in betweener”—born of mixed families, across continents, with a multiplicity of identities, languages, and religious influences. We let the art speak and invite visitors to find connections relevant to their own experiences in today’s world. 

The concept of Islamic art as a bridge is highly relevant given the religious conflicts in our societies. 

Viewing artworks as conversation starters is our core principle. For diverse school groups, we developed the programme Joy, the Art of Connection, inviting them to spend a week in the museum to engage with our mission. They discover new narratives about the artworks, moving beyond the conventional definition of Islamic art—an invention of Western scholars and connoisseurs that has caused much confusion. In the academic sphere, we invite students to create their own works in the museum after engaging with our art, and we will organise an exhibition of these creations. It is fascinating to see how students connect our art with their own multicultural, intercultural, “in-betweener” existences.  

“The exhibition is beautiful, and the result is stunning, but what endures are the insights, the shared growth, and the understanding between our teams in Abu Dhabi and Toronto.“

What does the partnership with the UAE Ministry of Culture mean for the Museum? 

It is a great honour that the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada, was selected by the UAE Ministry of Culture for a Memorandum of Understanding. The reason lies in our distinctive, alternative approach to museum work, which prioritises social development and cultural diplomacy over traditional museum practices. This project, created hand in hand across two cultures, is a learning process for both sides. The exhibition is beautiful, and the result is stunning, but what endures are the insights, the shared growth, and the understanding between our teams in Abu Dhabi and Toronto.  

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“Al-Burda Award: 20 Years of Islamic Art”, As the Sun Appears from Beyond ©Aly Manji

As the Sun Appears from Beyond ©Aly Manji

As the Sun Appears from Beyond ©Aly Manji

As the Sun Appears from Beyond ©Aly Manji