Dr M: Gallery a good source for Islamic history
PETALING JAYA: A world-class collection of art opens to the public today at the Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic World in London.
Situated at the British Museum there, the gallery will feature objects that give an overview of cultural exchange in an area stretching from Nigeria to Indonesia and from the 7th century to the present day.
On exhibit will be the finest artworks alongside objects of daily life such as modern games and musical instruments.
In a video message in conjunction with the opening, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed hope that the gallery would attract many visitors and help address the lack of understanding on Islamic history and civilisation.
“Today the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia opens its doors at the British Museum. It is a historic achievement for the arts and culture scene for Malaysia and a sym-
bol for progress for the world of Islamic arts,” said Dr Mahathir.
The Prime Minister had on Sept 30 attended a preview of the gallery during his working visit to Britain.
In a statement, the foundation said that the gallery would under-
score global connections across a vast region of the world from West Africa to South-East Asia and would reflect links between the ancient and medieval as well as the modern worlds.
The foundation’s chairman Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary thanked the British Museum for a fruitful collaboration.
“In the context of globalisation, I sincerely hope that this new gallery will attract a multicultural audience, and contribute in understanding the history, arts and cultures of the Islamic World,” he said.
The place and role of other faiths and communities, including Christians, Jews and Hindus, will also be reflected throughout the gallery.
This was to show their significant contributions to the social, economic and cultural life of the Islamic world, the statement said.
The collection includes archaeology, decorative arts, shadow puppets, textiles and contemporary art.
“The galleries and permanent displays of the British Museum’s collection show us the interconnectedness of our shared cultures,” said British Museum director Hartwig Fisher.