Museum of Islamic Art and Aga Khan Trust for Culture present Empire of Light: Visions and Voices of Afghanistan

Doha, Qatar, 2 February 2026 – The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), presents Empire of Light: Visions and Voices of Afghanistan, an exhibition exploring the country’s rich history, art and architectural heritage. On view from 2 February to 30 May 2026 at MIA, it highlights Afghanistan’s role as a crossroad of cultures, ideas, religions and people.

The exhibition was officially unveiled yesterday by Chairperson of Qatar Museums Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, in the presence of Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, Shaika Nasser Al Nassr, Director of MIA and Luis Monreal, General Manager of AKTC.

Curated by Nicoletta Fazio and Thomas W. Lentz and featuring nearly 150 objects, Empire of Light offers a broad cultural and artistic overview of the country, from pre-Islamic times to the present day.

The exhibition also emphasises the importance of heritage conservation, as seen through large-scale wooden architectural models depicting major sites and monuments still populating the country’s landscape. Each architectural model was crafted at the AKTC Jangalak Vocational Training Centre in Kabul, showcasing the ongoing work of the organisation since 2002 in preserving and restoring the country’s architectural and artistic heritage.

“Afghanistan’s history is a tapestry of remarkable creativity and resilience, and Empire of Light: Visions and Voices of Afghanistan will bring that fabric to life in a way that is both visually compelling and intellectually enriching,” said Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr, Director of the Museum of Islamic Art.

“In partnership with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, this exhibition will enable MIA to illuminate the extraordinary architectural, artistic and cultural achievements of Afghanistan, while also showcasing the vital conservation work that preserves this heritage for future generations. We are proud to present these treasures to our visitors and give the public a deeper understanding of a country that has shaped in so many ways the history and the culture of the region and beyond.”

Empire of Light: Visions and Voices of Afghanistan is divided into five thematic and chronological sections:

• Afghanistan at the Crossroads of History traces the impact of early civilisations and Asian empires. Native populations and foreign armies left enduring marks on Afghanistan’s architectural, religious and artistic landscape, reflected in rarely seen archaeological finds, masterfully crafted glassware and metalworks, and luxurious textiles that convey the region’s complex cultural history.
• The Eastern Frontier explores the rise of Islam in Afghanistan from the mid-7th century to the Mongol invasions, highlighting the region’s adaptations to the new faith under Islamic rule. Manuscripts, wall paintings, metalwork, glasswork and jewellery illuminate religious, courtly and artistic life in this transformative era.
• After Timur: Herat and the Rise of a New Artistic Vision examines the flourishing of art, architecture and intellectual life under Timurid rule in Herat. Illustrated manuscripts, delicate ink drawings, opulent courtly objects and architectural models reveal how Timurid patronage in Afghanistan shaped Persian painting and architecture across Central Asia and built a power that relied on both political strength and religious support.
• The Mughals and the Idea of Afghanistan considers Afghanistan’s role in the formation of the Mughal dynasty, as the birthplace of the founder of the Mughal Empire, Babur, and his son and successor Humayun. Portraits of Humayun and Babur, as well as manuscripts, illustrate Afghanistan as a place of memory and inspiration for the Mughal emperors.
• The Storms of History: Afghanistan in the Modern World addresses the country’s complex modern history, including colonial interventions, internal power struggles and the emergence of a modern Afghan state. The section showcases historical architecture, photographic documentation and artworks by selected contemporary artists, reflecting on historical burdens and present challenges.

Luis Monreal, General Manager of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, said, “The shared scholarly expertise of Qatar Museums and the longstanding work of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in heritage preservation have made possible this exhibition that presents 2,000 years of the cultural and architectural development and the remarkable craftsmanship of today’s Afghanistan.”

Empire of Light: Visions and Voices of Afghanistan is part of Evolution Nation, a campaign honouring Qatar’s cultural journey over the past 50 years since the founding of the National Museum of Qatar. Curated by Qatar Creates, the movement positions Qatar as a global hub for art, culture and creativity, highlighting both the nation’s cultural milestones and its aspirations for the future.

About Qatar Museums
About The Museum of Islamic Art
About the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and its Historic Cities Programme

Media contact:

Qatar Museums
Lamis Nassar/ [email protected]/ +974 6690 0722
Varsha Eriyari/ [email protected]/ +974 7097 4677