Qatar museum displays Afghanistan’s 5,000-year history through art exhibition 

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Qatar has inaugurated an exhibition titled “Empire of Light: Visions and Voices from Afghanistan,” showcasing nearly 100 historical and contemporary works that trace Afghanistan’s five-thousand-year history of art and culture.

According to the museum’s official website, the exhibition runs from February 2 to May 30 and is organized in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC).

The collection features a wide range of objects, including archaeological discoveries, exquisite textiles, finely detailed paintings, as well as contemporary artworks, video installations, and other multimedia pieces.

The exhibition examines Afghanistan’s rich cultural and artistic heritage spanning five millennia, presenting it as a living legacy shaped by creativity, cultural exchange, and enduring traditions.

The museum notes that the exhibition offers fresh insights into the country’s deep complexity, the breadth of its artistic heritage and the vital importance of preserving history for future generations.

In a statement, MIA said: “Afghanistan has been an exceptional land for thousands of years—a place where cultures have intersected, ideas have flourished, and creativity in art, architecture, and everyday life has continually evolved.”

The museum added that the exhibition highlights Afghanistan’s long history and demonstrates that the country is far more than the subject of daily news headlines. With its rich traditions, profound spiritual expressions, and artistic brilliance, Afghanistan’s ancient cities, sacred sites, and rare artifacts collectively tell the stories of those who have shaped the nation’s destiny and cultural legacy.

sa