Doha, February 01 (QNA) - The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), presented Empire of Light: Visions and Voices of Afghanistan, an exhibition exploring over five thousand years of Afghanistan's history, art, and culture.

On view from February 2 to May 30, 2026, at MIA, the exhibition examines one of the world's most vibrant cultural legacies, highlighting Afghanistan's role in history as a crossroads of cultures, ideas, religions, and people.  

The exhibition was officially unveiled by HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, 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. 

Shaika Nasser Al Nassr, Director of the Museum of Islamic Art, commented, "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. 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 will trace 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 will explore 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 will examine 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 build a power that relied on both political strength and religious support.

The Mughals and the Idea of Afghanistan will consider 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 will address 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 long-standing 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 national movement positions Qatar as a global hub for art, culture, and creativity, Evolution Nation highlights both the nation's cultural milestones and its aspirations for the future. (QNA)