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  • AKM Director, Henry Kim, addresses the delegation about the museum’s objectives as a place of understanding and harmony among all peoples
    Aneeta Muradali | 01 July 2017 | USA

    USA Delegation visits the Aga Khan Museum

    AKM Director, Henry Kim, addresses the delegation about the museum’s objectives as a place of understanding and harmony among all peoples Council for USA
  • Reverend Lisa Garwin of Emory University views a ceramic plate from Prince Sadruddin’s collection.
    Aneeta Muradali | 01 July 2017 | USA

    USA Delegation visits the Aga Khan Museum

    Reverend Lisa Garwin of Emory University views a ceramic plate from Prince Sadruddin’s collection. Council for USA
  • Delegation guest, Ms. Nancy Katano of UCLA, takes in the beautiful artifacts collection at AKM.
    Aneeta Muradali | 01 July 2017 | USA

    USA Delegation visits the Aga Khan Museum

    Delegation guest, Ms. Nancy Katano of UCLA, takes in the beautiful artifacts collection at AKM. Council for USA
  • Delegation guests, including Mayor Tim Baldermann, NewGround Board Members, Paul Beck and Aziza Hasan, and Aneeta Muradali of the Ismaili community converse about the importance of arts and culture in the understanding of various faiths.
    Aneeta Muradali | 01 July 2017 | USA

    USA Delegation visits the Aga Khan Museum

    Delegation guests, including Mayor Tim Baldermann, NewGround Board Members, Paul Beck and Aziza Hasan, and Aneeta Muradali of the Ismaili community converse about the importance of arts and culture in the understanding of various faiths. Council for USA
Related Information
Aga Khan Museum
Aga Khan Park
The Ismaili Centre, Toronto
"One of the most extraordinary four days I can remember, filled with beauty, inspiration and communion with like-minded friends and colleagues." This is how Justin Jampol of The Wende Museum, Culver City, California, referred to his visit with a group of 15 individuals to the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, and the Aga Khan Museum, at the end of March 2017. 
This was the second such visit organized by the Council for USA and one of many more that are expected to be arranged. These tours are intended to foster increased knowledge and understanding both within Muslim societies, and between them and other cultures. It is also an opportunity to share the many aspects of the work of the Aga Khan Development Network and learn about the Ismaili community.
 
The delegation toured the Ismaili Centre, Aga Khan Park and Museum and discovered how the architecture of these spaces is both practical and spiritual in evoking a sense of serenity that is subliminally present throughout. 
 
The visitors met with Museum Director Henry Kim who shared the mission of the museum, the  only one dedicated solely to exhibiting Islamic art in North America. They became aware of the plurality of the cultures and traditions of the Muslim world and its historical and current day contributions. Exhibits ranging from antique ceramic collections, to modern art from contemporary Syrian artists utilizing art as their voice for peace and harmony, were eagerly studied. 
 
"I learned so much and realized how little I actually know all at the same time.  I have been sharing my experience at almost every meeting and occasion when I have the opportunity to talk about your outstanding community," said Paul Beck, Board Member of NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish partnership for Change, from Los Angeles. 
 
The visit allowed a shared sense of exploration, inspiration, and experience, of the common bond of humanity that we all share, through art, architecture, history and culture.