Empire of Light: Visions and Voices of Afghanistan

Exhibition

Entrance to the exhibition is free with museum admission. Museum tickets may be reserved online in advance of your visit.

Museum Hours
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Saturday: 9am–7pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 9am–9pm
Friday: 1:30pm–7pm

Location
Museum of Islamic Art
Off Al Corniche St
Doha, Qatar
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Contact Us
Tel: +974 4422 4444

This exhibition explores Afghanistan’s 5000-year cultural and artistic legacy, showcasing a vibrant heritage shaped by creativity, exchange and traditions.

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Empire of Light: Visions and Voices of Afghanistan provides new perspectives on Afghanistan’s deep complexity, its vast artistic heritage, and what it means to preserve history for generations to come.

Little known and often misunderstood, Afghanistan has for millennia been an extraordinary place where cultures met, ideas blossomed, and creativity took new forms in art, architecture and the lives of its inhabitants.

This exhibition illuminates the country’s long history, highlighting how Afghanistan is far more than today’s headlines: it is a country of rich traditions, deep spiritual expressions, and artistic brilliance. Ancient cities, sacred sites, precious and rare objects all tell stories of those who have shaped its destiny and legacy. Nearly 100 objects are on display, ranging from archaeological findings, luxurious textiles and refined painting to works of contemporary art, video installations, and large-scale models.

Exhibition Highlights

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Ewer , Afghanistan, Herat. Ghurid or Ilkhanid period, early 13th century CE. Hammered brass, engraved, with silver and copper inlaid decoration. MW.489.2007. © The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha/Qatar Museums. Photo by Chrysovalantis Lamprianidis.

ENG

Bifolio from manuscript of Persian poetry. Iran. Timurid period, 1467–1500 CE. Ink, gold and opaque watercolour on paper. MIA.2014.363.1. © The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha/Qatar Museums. Photo by Chrysovalantis Lamprianidis.

ENG

Page from the Divan of Sultan Husayn Mirza (d. 911 AH/1506 CE). Afghanistan, Herat . Timurid period, late 15th century CE. Opaque watercolour and gold on paper, découpage technique. MS.809.2011. © The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha/Qatar Museums. Photo by Samar Kassab.

ENG

Folio from a Qur’an manuscript in kufic script. Sura Nuh (Noah), verses 27-28, and Sura al-Jinn (The Jinns), verse 1 (front and back). North Africa or West Asia. Abbasid period, 9th century CE . Ink, gold and opaque watercolour on parchment. MS.615.2007. © The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha/Qatar Museums. Photo by Chrysovalantis Lamprianidis.

ENG

Iskandar (Alexander the Great) fighting the tribes of Gog and Magog. Illustrated copy of the Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi (d. 725 AH/1325 CE). Iran, probably Shiraz or Yazd . Timurid period, c. 1430 CE . Ink, gold and opaque watercolour on paper. MS.302.1999. © The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha/Qatar Museums. Photo by Samar Kassab.

ENG

Bottle (detail). Iran or Central Asia. Samanid period, 9th–10th century CE. Colourless glass with green glass overlaid patches and wheel-cut decoration. GL.515.2009. © The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha/Qatar Museums. Photo by Chrysovalantis Lamprianidis.

ENG

Collected works (divan) of Jami (d. 898 AH/1492 CE). Afghanistan, Herat. Timurid period, dated 901 AH (1496 CE). Ink, gold and opaque watercolour on paper. Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, MIA.2014.233.

ENG

British army entering the Bolan Pass from Dadur. From Sketches in Afghaunistan, vol. I, by James Atkinson, Esq. (1780–1852 CE). England, London. 1842 CE. Lithographic print. Lusail Museum, Doha, QM.2018.0686.01.05.

ENG

REEL/UNREEL. Francis Alÿs (b. 1959) 2011. Video installation. Duration 19:32 min. Courtesy of the Artist © Francis Alÿs, 2011.

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From the series “No Woman’s Land” . Kiana Hayeri (b. 1988). 2024. Courtesy of the Artist © Kiana Hayeri.

This exhibition is presented in partnership with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). Its message is clear: Afghanistan is not “long ago and far away,” but a living culture that continuously bridges its rich past and its evolving future.