September 18, 2014: Opening Day of the Majestic new Aga Khan Museum
BY MALIK MERCHANT
Editor, Simerg and Simergphotos
Tanzanian Altaf Hirani (centre) with friends
I was hoping to be at the new Aga Khan Museum in Toronto well before it opened to the public for the first time at 10:00 am. I wanted to capture the historical moment when the first person made the entry through the museum doors. Alas, I could not catch that historical moment. The extremely slow pace of the 401 Eastbound traffic from Kitchener delayed me about 40 minutes. Once on site, parking was easy. I had anticipated a hold-up at the entrances to both the parking lot and the main museum. Well, I realized it was a working day; so what if I happened to be on vacation – not everybody else was! Schools and work do matter after all. It was a good strategic decision to open the museum on a weekday. As Henry Kim, the CEO of the museum observed when I met him at the museum restaurant, “It has been a steady day, which has allowed us to prepare for the rush that will take place over the weekend.”
Ticket line, 10:45 am
There were some delays in the ticket line during the initial 60 to 90 minutes. The staff at the ticket counter ironed out some issues. There was a long waiting time for guided tours. One person who arrived just before 11:00 was advised to return later at around 2 pm for the tour. There was a very good mixture of ethnic and mainstream Canadians during the morning session. This was extremely encouraging and some people I spoke to understood the goals of the museum extremely well – this was evident in the manner they articulated themselves. They were particularly appreciative of His Highness the Aga Khan for conceiving and building this monumental building. As the day progressed, more and more people flowed into the museum – Tanzanians, Portuguese, Americans and British. as well as Canadians. There were large groups from the USA. The gift shop became busier too. Thrilled, excited and proud were words that people uttered when asked to reflect on the building and its exhibits. The photos in this post encapsulate the Aga Khan Museum’s first day.
Arif Khalid with his son Jassim
Another infant – a future patron!
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REFLECTION ABOUT THE MUSEUM (I)
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Museum restaurant and its cheerful staff
Henry Kim, Aga Khan Museum’s CEO, far right, in the museum restaurant.
A cheerful group from the USA
One more time – the Park and the Ismaili Centre dome in the background
Proud Canadian Ismailis from Calgary and Toronto
A happy group from USA
Museum volunteer
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REFLECTION ABOUT THE MUSEUM (II)
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Marvellous art work by a Pakistani artist
Visitors at the permanent exhibition hall
A group of individuals fully supportive of His Highness the Aga Khan’s mission
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REFLECTION ABOUT THE MUSEUM (III)
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Visitors being briefed about objects of art in this panel display
A section of permanent exhibition viewed from the upper gallery floor
Portuguese and Canadian visitors – Fateh Ghulamhussein (3rd from left) and Didar Kassam (far right) with spouses and friends
The crowd at the Museum gift shop
Wow! – in the permanent gallery
Mr. Sherali Maherali – spent 4 hours in the museum and learnt a lot! Now a piece of the Park and behind it, the Ismaili Centre!
Photos: Malik Merchant/Simerg. Copyright. (Reproduction permitted with credit to Simerg).
Date posted: Friday, September 19, 2014.
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Profile of Malik Merchant at Contributors.
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From the vantage of the lush Tucson-Arizoa desert, we are in an Awe and Enamoured at this Historical and the Magnanimity of the Event of sheer Grandeur and Majesty in the annals of the ISMAILI IMAMAT. ” L’Agakhan Musee “will be a Beacon of Hope and Enlightenment in promoting, THE TRUE ESSENCE OF THE ISLAMIC VALUES. Kudos to you and your staff for a brilliant coverage of this Landmark event!–Mashalla!
Thank you for this post showing beautiful pictures of the majestic new Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.
Deen Muhammad Shahed,
Calgary,AB,CANADA.
Thank you, lovely photos – hopefully will have an opportunity to visit the Centre and Museum soon.
Majestic, Vivacious, Splendid and Awesome. No better words to describe a monumental institution like the New Aga Khan Museum, which is undoubtedly a “Colossus” in North America, and will definitely, be a “Role Model” to other, similar, international institutions, worldwide. Of, what, I have seen, from the print, and electronic media, this ” International Monument” will rank, as one, of the few institutions globally, to be rated, in “Par” with the other institutions worldwide. I must say in no uncertain terms that this “Celebrated and Monumental Institution” should be, a “Guiding Light” , to, other similar institutions, to be established in the near future. We Ismaili’s, should, be proud, and happy, with this Majestic Museum, and make maximum use, of this Institution, for all its activities available therein. I am told that it has Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan’s Celebrated Paintings, among, other, great valuables, including a Jamat Khana.
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