"There is a voice that does not use words" ... Aga Khan Museum — Toronto, Canada.

Up the steps to the Rumi Exhibit ... Aga Khan Museum — Toronto, Canada.

Rumi's world reknowned "Mesnevi & Manevi" ... Aga Khan Museum — Toronto, Canada.

Painting in the miniature style ... depicting the funeral of Rumi ... Aga Khan Museum — Toronto.

Playing with words a la Rumi ... Aga Khan Museum — Toronto, Canada.

H. Amiri's fabric art installation ... losses through conflicts and more — Aga Khan Museum, Toronto.

Ceramic platter from Aga Khan's personal collection ... Aga Khan Museum — Toronto, Canada.

Incense Burner (11th-13th century; Persia) ... Aga Khan Museum — Toronto, Canada.

Carved door from 1486-1487 (Persia) ... Aga Khan Museum — Toronto, Canada.

İznik ceramic tile from Türkiye ... depicting the Kaba in Mecca in the center — Aga Khan Museum.

Toronto: Aga Khan Museum

September 4, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

A good night’s rest. A quick continental breakfast in the Sheraton Gateway Club Lounge. We were zipping up our overnight bag when I received a text from our friend, Kadi. With no traffic en route, they were ahead of schedule. No problem. We had plenty of time to check out from our room and work with the concierge to hold our luggage before meeting up with them.

We stepped out into the Sheraton driveway to find Kadi and Brad pulling up. Hugs and greetings. A happy reunion. And we were off to the Aga Khan Museum.

The website describes the museum as a place that “… provides visitors with a window into the artistic, intellectual, and scientific contributions of Muslim civilizations to world heritage.” In addition to the permanent exhibits, there was a special exhibit billed as “a visual journey through the life and legacy of a Sufi mystic” … the mystic in question being Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi … better known as Rumi.

The exhibit celebrates the life of Rumi — one of history's most famous poets — on the 750th anniversary of his passing. To say that we were all wow’ed by the exhibit would not be an understatement.

We, of course, also enjoyed the other exhibits … as well as a wander through the grounds … a highlight being an art installation of what looked like random words mirrored on the ripple-free reflecting pool. Very creative.

Then right on time — Kadi had us on a schedule — we left the museum at 11:30a to continue our sightseeing …Read more