Official account. Toronto's must-see destination for arts and culture across the Muslim world.
#AgaKhanMuseum
Now Open – Light: Visionary Perspectives.
Today, we celebrate the 86th birthday of our Founding Patron, His Highness the Aga Khan. For more than 60 years, His Highness has been a beacon of hope for millions of Shia Ismaili Muslims around the world.
Salgirah Khushiali Mubarak from the Aga Khan Museum!
ℹ️ This Qur’an is one of the first documented manuscripts written in Bihari script, a unique style of writing practiced in pre-Mughal India. AKM281 (f.189r, f.190v)
20/ Quran Manuscript, India, 11 July 1399
Rare copy of the Qur’an produced during Tughluq dynasty (1320–1413) India. After the invasion of Timur in 1398–1399, it was taken to Gwalior Fort in southern Agra, where its colophon was completed
@AgaKhanMuseum
#JummaMubarak
Today we celebrate the 87th birthday of our Founding Patron, His Highness the Aga Khan. Since 1957, His Highness has been a source of hope for millions worldwide, with his vision for a more inclusive and diverse world serving as our guiding light in all that we do at the Museum.
Today, we celebrate the 85th birthday of our Founding Patron, His Highness the Aga Khan. A beacon of hope for many millions around the globe, His Highness’ vision of a better, more pluralistic world guides us in everything we do.
The rumours are true...🤩
This spring, the Aga Khan Museum invites you to enter the mystical world of one of history’s most influential poets in our next major exhibition: Rumi.
Take a look at this incredible inscribed seashell that is now on (rare) display in the Museum Collections Gallery as part of our newly-opened themed installation, Water. 🧵
Did you know that Persian scientist Ibn Sina, or Avicenna in Latin, was likely the first to extract fragrant water and oil, or attar, from roses through a distillation process in the 11th century? 🌹
ℹ️ Perfume Sprinkler, 2017.1.1, Egypt or Syria, 23 cm, 12–13th century, glass
Toronto Raptors' Superfan, Mr. Nav Bhatia has generously donated 250 tickets to the NCAA basketball games hosted by our city this month. The Museum is excited to offer these tickets to new comer and underserved youth through some of its partner community organizations.
We're thrilled to announce that for a limited time, our school programs will be offered FREE to publicly funded schools & community groups — bringing the Museum to teachers, caregivers, and students globally!
👉 To access these resources, email us at learn
@agakhanmuseum
.org.
Our central courtyard is now furnished with a traditional Mongolian yurt! Especially installed for our “Listening to Art, Seeing Music” experience, this structural space offers a warm shelter from the elements — and the perfect setting to share a cup of coffee.
It’s a beautiful day to get vaccinated!
Our pop-up vaccine clinic is open and ready to go 📢🚨
➡️ 18+ living in ALL Toronto hot spots
➡️ Priority given to those who live or work in M3C or M4H, and seniors 65+
More information and a comprehensive FAQ:
Hidden Stories: Books Along the Silk Roads is now open to the public and will be on display until February 27, 2022! ✨
#HiddenStoriesTO
Learn more about the exhibition:
Happy 8th birthday to the Aga Khan Museum 🎂
#OnThisDay
in 2014 we opened our doors as the first museum in North America dedicated to the arts and culture of the Muslim world. Since then, we've reached millions of people from all over the globe
📸 Janet Kimber
Let’s go birdwatching! Look closely between the sprays of flora on this lacquer binding — can you spot the three nightingales perching on the twigs of the rose bush?
Ramadan Mubarak to all who celebrate and may this upcoming month bring you good health and happiness! ✨
To celebrate
#Ramadan
, a look at The Beginning of Ramadan, a piece from the Museum's permanent Collection.
19th century CE, oil on canvas, 152.5 x 134 cm, AKM505.
Go
@Raptors
, go!!! Come together with community while watching
#Game4
under the stars. Join us tonight as we screen the action on the Museum's front wall. Plus, our galleries will be open until 7:30pm.
#WeTheNorth
#LetsGoRaptors
The Museum’s central courtyard serves as the “heart” of the building, allowing light to flow into and illuminate interior spaces. Etched into the courtyard’s glass panels are tessellating “mashrabiya” patterns that cast decorative shadows at different angles throughout the day.
🎉✨ A very Happy New Year from everyone at the Aga Khan Museum to you: we hope you have an incredible 2023 that is filled with happiness, good health, and success — some arts and culture doesn't hurt either!
We look forward to seeing you at the Museum.
Photo:
@misovisual
Today is International Day of Islamic Art! Celebrate with us by diving into the details of one of the most beloved manuscript paintings in our Museum Collection.
Learn more about Princely Entertainment in a Garden:
The calligrapher of this extraordinary leaf composed the verse in the form of a boat with the letters forming passengers and oars, perhaps recalling the journey of life. Learn more about AKM538 👉
2/ Calligraphy Leaf
Ottoman Turkey
19th century
Chestnut leaf inscribed with a Qur’anic verse from Surat al-Isra’ (“The Night Journey,” Q17:80), which reads: “And say, ‘Lord grant me a good entrance and a goodly exit, and sustain me with Your power.”
@AgaKhanMuseum
#Ramadan
On this day we join
#Ismaili
Muslims around the world to celebrate the 64th anniversary of the accession of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
Khushiali Mubarak to all who celebrate ✨
#ImamatDay
#ImamatMubarak
We are excited to announce that the Aga Khan Museum has received a transformational donation on behalf of The Nanji Family Foundation that will truly expand the Museum’s reach and impact millions of people around the globe ✨
Read the press release →
Today on
#ThisBeingHuman
→ all-woman Indonesian rock trio
@voiceofbaceprot
join
@ArMalik
to talk about falling in love with rock music, finding their voice, and how they overcame their families’ skepticism about their musical careers. Available wherever you get your podcasts!
From tomorrow through Friday beginning at 6:45 pm to 9:45 pm, experience the Museum illuminated with projections designed by
@OCAD
students as part of
@culture_to
's
#BigArtTO
!
Learn more about the project:
Yesterday, we celebrated 4 years since our official inauguration! We’ve grown and evolved thanks to your support. So grateful to be part of Toronto’s amazing arts and culture community.
Now open at the Aga Khan Museum: "The World of the Fatimids" marks the first time a carefully selected collection of masterpieces from the Fatimid dynasty are shown in North America. Plan your visit:
#TheFatimids
#AgaKhanMuseum
The Aga Khan Museum wishes everyone a safe, happy, and fulfilling holiday season full of solitude and warmth.
We are grateful for your continued support throughout what has been a challenging year for all — we couldn't have done it without you.
📸 Photo by Aly Manji.
Our vaccine pop-up was a huge success over the weekend! A HUGE thank you to all of our amazing volunteers, health care workers, performers, staff & everyone in between. We're thankful to be in a position where we can be of such important service to our community 🙏
We kick-off 2020 with a message from the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, 26th Governor General of Canada. Here's to a new decade with our enduring mission to promote dialogue and foster understanding between cultures.
We're thrilled to have been voted by
@TorontoStar
readers as a Gold Winner in the category of Museums in the Toronto Star Readers' Choice Awards! 🎉
Read the official winner selection to see all the nominees who won across the city:
@TheMERL
We're a little late to the party but here is our classy bird from a manuscript of Anvar-i Suhayli dated 13 Safar 1002 AH. A weird flex but a flex nonetheless!
Happy birthday to us! 9 years ago today we opened our doors, and every day since then we have worked to achieve our vision of impacting lives and contributing to more inclusive and peaceful societies.
We couldn't do this without the support of our Museum community — thank you ✨
#EidMubarak
to all who celebrate ✨
Today, Muslims around the world celebrate Eid-al-Adha, marking the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The holiday commemorates the Quranic tale of Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to God.
This Being Human is available now wherever you get your podcasts! In Episode 1, writer
@WajahatAli
opens up about being Muslim in America after 9/11, winning kudos from Toni Morrison, and his daughter's journey with liver cancer.
More about the series:
The Aga Khan Museum’s podcast is launching January 26! Hosted by journalist
@ArMalik
, This Being Human showcases extraordinary stories and people from across the kaleidoscope of Muslim experience. New episodes launch every other Tuesday.
The latest episode of This Being Human is here! 🎙️
This week,
@ArMalik
is joined by
@Sulaiman
, the brother-and-brother song-writing duo behind some of Indian cinema’s most irresistible melodies.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts:
The statement, inscribed here in Arabic, reminds us that “Generosity is the disposition of the dwellers of Paradise.” This style of calligraphic pottery decorated with blessings and general aphorisms represents a most creative use of design and techniques.
#LearnAWordDay
"The Silk Road: A Living History" —
@AKF_UnitedK
's wildly popular outdoor photography exhibition by photographer Christopher Wilton-Steer — has made its way from London, UK to the Aga Khan Park!
On display until March 2022. Learn more:
‘Interwoven’ invites visitors to have their stories woven into a traditional Iranian rug. By selecting the colour of their yarn, visitors reaffirm both their unique individuality and their trusting commitment to the whole – a powerful message for our world today.
Eid Mubarak! 🌙
The moon has long played an important role in science, religion, & art. In this week's Family Activity, celebrate the moon, the sighting of which signals the declaration of Eid al-Fitr, & create your own moon projections.
Play & Learn:
It's our 5th birthday today! Here's to 5 years of connecting cultures through art.
Thank you for all your support, and making our Museum incredible. We look forward to many more years of groundbreaking exhibitions, international speakers, performances, and life-long learners.
#OnThisDay
in 2014 the Aga Khan Museum opened its doors for the first time.
Thank you to all of our supporters, visitors, staff, and volunteers over the last 7 years who have grown us into a world-class destination for arts, culture, and entertainment 💫
Contemplating how to spend your evening? Visit between 4–8 pm tonight and enjoy complimentary admission to the entire Museum — no reservation required. Plus, if you're coming with your family, we have free family activities open to all ages!
📸 shravansuri
Have you had a chance to step inside our yurt? Installed in the outdoor space of our central courtyard, this Mongolian yurt (or “ger”) consists of wool felt, canvas, and wood, and was supplied by Montreal-based company Groovy Yurts.
Today on
@UNESCO
's
#InternationalDayOfTolerance
, we reflect on the Museum's mission of fostering dialogue and promoting tolerance and mutual understanding through education, research, and collaboration.
📸 engclau/Instagram
Birds’ ability to fly and soar in the sky has amazed people since the beginning of time. Assigning wings to creatures that otherwise can’t fly are narrated in some historical context as anecdotes of oddities and miracles.
📢 In response to overwhelming demand, we've added a third show to our Under the Persian Musical Sky performance series with
@KayhanKalhor
and Kiya Tabassian!
June 8, 8 pm. Reserve your tickets 👉
This manuscript is a rare copy of the Qur’an produced during the Tughluq dynasty (1320–1413) in India. It is one of the first documented manuscripts written in Bihari script, a unique style of writing practiced in pre-Mughal India!
This mesmerizing, palm-sized mother-of-pearl shell displays an elegant design & intriguing function.
Engraved with eight concentric rings containing verses from the Qur’an & religious supplications, the variety of calligraphic styles make the design both dynamic & dignified.
This week on This Being Human,
@SultanAlQassemi
reflects on the legacy of the Arab Spring and delves into his ongoing mission to bring Arab art the attention and respect it deserves. Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
More about This Being Human:
The Museum will be reopening beginning on Thursday, Feb 3! 🎉
The Museum and Shop will be open Thursdays–Sundays, 10 am to 5:30 pm, including Family Day on Monday, Feb 21. Diwan will be open for lunch service only (11:30 am to 2:30 pm) during Museum opening hours.
Happy Lunar New Year and best wishes for the Year of the Rabbit from the Aga Khan Museum. Lucky for us, we have lots of rabbits around the Museum! Check out some of the furry friends from our Collection 👇🐰
#LunarNewYear
#YearOfTheRabbit
#DidYouKnow
that coffee as we know it today originated in Yemen? ☕️
While it's believed that the coffee bean was first discovered in Ethiopia, surviving historical evidence shows that coffee was first consumed as a drink by Sufi mystics in Yemen as early as the 15th century!
#DidYouKnow
? The Fatimids were Ismailis whose members practiced a form of Shi’i Islam, and traced their lineage back to Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Opening this weekend, our newest exhibition bears witness to this remarkable dynasty.
Great preview of Caravans of Gold, Fragments of Time!
Opening Jan 26 at
@NUBlockMuseum
, and here on Sep 21.
The exhibition centres medieval Africa’s global influence "to effectively challenge what we think we know about the world.”
Our friends at the Farsi Cinema Center made this beautiful video in celebration of Nowruz. 🌷
How are you marking the Persian New Year and the beginning of spring?
#Nowruz
#MuseumFromHome
What would pattern sound like if interpreted as a rhythm or melody? How would music look if transposed into the visual realm? Find out during this FREE performance presented especially during
@Doors_OpenTO
. Details:
#DOT18
Happy
#InternationalDayOfIslamicArt
! ✨
This manuscript that blends Qur'anic tests with Chinese calligraphic art is a fascinating composition that illustrates how each community across the Muslim world holds their own decorative traditions.
ℹ️ Qur'an Anthology, AKM824
Today marks the 84th birthday of His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. As we celebrate, we remember His Highness' powerful words on the importance of pluralism.
Last, but certainly not least, Maneli Jamal’s closing performance will have you reconsidering the limits of what you think is musically possible on a six-string acoustic guitar. Stick around for closing remarks and exciting news!
We're beyond excited to welcome
@salim_merchant
@Sulaiman
of Salim-Sulaiman fame to the Museum for an unforgettable performance at our Rhythms of Canada festival (June 30–July 3)! Get your tickets to their Sunday, July 2 show ft.
@mekaalhasan
→
Today is the day – we’re officially open to the public once again! Plus, we’re offering Pay What You Can entry until August 2.
🎟 Reserve your timed-entry ticket:
See you soon!
This Sunday at 2 pm ET, learn the intricate and mesmerizing art of Abbasid Kufi calligraphy with
@joumajnouna
in a virtual workshop that explores the rise of this first great Qur'anic script. Register for the workshop 👉
Trying to find a spot in North York to watch
#Game4
? Watch the game under the moon and stars at the Aga Khan Park! We're projecting the game onto our Museum wall tomorrow night! –
#WeTheNorth
#LetsGoRaptors
In partnership with the Ismaili Centre, Toronto.