The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Gulf Times reported that Qatar Museums Chairperson Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani officially inaugurated the exhibition “Empire of Light: Visions and Voices of Afghanistan” at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha.
The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Aga Khan
Trust for Culture (AKTC), explores over 5,000 years of Afghan history, art, and
culture, and will remain open until May 30, 2026.
Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, MIA Director Shaika Nasser al-Nassr,
and AKTC General Manager Luis Monreal attended the launch. Curated by Nicoletta
Fazio and Thomas W. Lentz, the exhibition features nearly 150 objects,
providing a broad overview of Afghanistan’s cultural and artistic evolution
from pre-Islamic times to the present day.
The exhibition also highlights heritage conservation,
featuring large-scale wooden architectural models of major Afghan sites and
monuments, crafted at the AKTC Jangalak Vocational Training Centre in Kabul,
reflecting ongoing preservation and restoration work since 2002.
Shaika Nasser al-Nassr said, “In partnership with the Aga
Khan Trust for Culture, this exhibition illuminates Afghanistan’s extraordinary
architectural, artistic, and cultural achievements while showcasing vital
conservation efforts for future generations.”
Empire of Light is organized into five thematic sections:
Afghanistan at the Crossroads of History – Examining early
civilizations and Asian empires’ influence on Afghan architecture, religion,
and arts.
The Eastern Frontier – Tracing the rise of Islam from the
mid-7th century to the Mongol invasions.
After Timur: Herat and the Rise of a New Artistic Vision –
Highlighting Timurid-era advancements in art, architecture, and intellectual
life.
The Mughals and the Idea of Afghanistan – Exploring
Afghanistan’s role in forming the Mughal dynasty, as the birthplace of Babur.
The Storms of History: Afghanistan in the Modern World –
Addressing colonial interventions, internal struggles, and the emergence of the
modern Afghan state.
Luis Monreal said, “The shared expertise of Qatar Museums
and the long-standing work of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in heritage
preservation have made possible this exhibition, presenting 2,000 years of
cultural and architectural development and the remarkable craftsmanship of
today’s Afghanistan.”
