Birth of a Museum

Throughout history, and sadly even today, fear of “the other” has torn apart communities along racial, religious, linguistic and ethnic lines. Understanding “the other” requires a level of dialogue and knowledge which institutions such as museums can foster. Museums have a strong educational impact: they present evidence of material cultures, without intermediaries, in a direct way that appeals to people both on emotional and intellectual levels. The need to bridge the growing divide of misunderstanding between East and West is pressing and, therefore, I have chosen to establish a museum of Islamic art, the Aga Khan Museum, in Toronto, Canada.

His Highness The Aga Khan

Today there was much jubilation at work with the announcement of the opening of the Aga Khan Museum on 18 September and I was among the first to sign up for a membership. To see spectacular images of the collection and upcoming programs, visit the newly launched website. I am honoured to be a part of this creation that I sincerely hope will build more accepting relationships between people of different backgrounds.