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TRH open the Spirit and Life Exhibition at the Ismaili Centre in London
12th July 2007
The Prince of Wales spoke of the close ties between the Abrahamic faiths today during a visit to open a new exhibition of Islamic art in London.
His Royal Highness is well-known for his work to encourage inter-faith dialogue and tolerance between faiths and today reiterated his belief that Muslims and Christians have far more close ties than they have differences.
Speaking at the official opening of the Spirit and Life exhibition at the Ismaili Centre in London with The Duchess of Cornwall, The Prince of Wales said the masterpieces on display “convey the clearest possible message about the close ties between the Abrahamic faiths”.
In his speech His Royal Highness said: “So much attention is paid to the outward differences between faiths. Almost reflexively, this becomes translated into seemingly impenetrable divisions between people.
“People who – if they did but know it – are in fact linked by much and separated by little.
“How refreshing it is to be reminded by this marvellous exhibition of the spirituality from which our faiths draw their real strength and of the heritage and traditions which we share.”
The Prince toured the Spirit and Life exhibition at the Ismaili Centre in South Kensington with The Duchess of Cornwall and The Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, who hosted the opening.
The Prince paid tribute to the Aga Khan, who is celebrating his Golden Jubilee this year, and to the integration of the Ismaili community in Britain.
His Royal Highness said: “I can only applaud your emphasis on intellectual and cultural exploration as a means of integration, and your determination to discharge you obligations as citizens of this country without losing your own distinctive traditions,” he told community leaders at the official opening.
The exhibition, organised by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, features rare Islamic art and manuscripts never before seen in the UK.
It includes miniatures from Persian epic Shahnama (The Book of Kings) and an extremely rare copy of the Canon of Medicine of Ibn Sina which was used both in Europe and the Middle East as the standard medical textbook for more than 500 years.
The display, which mixes religious artefacts with secular exhibits, also features musical instruments, sculpture, pottery, Koranic texts and paintings.
The show presents treasures from the permanent collection of the Aga Khan Museum, which will open in Toronto, Canada in 2010.
At today’s opening, The Aga Khan said: “One of the lessons we have learnt in recent years is that the world of Islam and the Western world need to work together much more effectively at building mutual understanding, essential as these cultures interact and intermingle more actively.”
His Highness said he hoped his museum would “contribute to a deeper understanding within cultures and a strengthening of true cultural pluralism – increasingly essential to peace and progress in our world”.
The Aga Khan added he hoped the exhibition would show the arts could transcend barriers between cultures.
Click here to read The Prince’s speech.
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