South Korea Opens First Islamic Art Museum

South Korea has officially opened its first permanent Islamic art gallery, marking a major milestone in cultural exchange and appreciation. The newly inaugurated Islamic Art Gallery at the National Museum of Korea (NMK) in Seoul offers Korean audiences a chance to explore the beauty and diversity of Islamic civilization — from early Quran manuscripts to royal carpets and ornate ceramics. 

The launch is part of a collaborative exhibition titled Islamic Art: A Journey of Splendor (also described as “A Journey of Radiant Light” in some coverage), assembled in partnership with the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha.

The gallery features 83 carefully selected artifacts on loan from Doha, spanning roughly 1,400 years — from the early days of Islam in the 7th century to late-19th-century courtly art. 

Visitors can expect a rich diversity of works: ancient Qur’an folios, mosque lamps from the Mamluk period, Ottoman ceramics with calligraphy, Safavid imperial textiles like a 17th-century throne carpet, Mughal celestial globes, decorative manuscripts, and elegant glassware and metalwork. The exhibition is thoughtfully organized into three thematic sections: religious art, the cultural exchange and expansion of Islamic aesthetics, and courtly artistry that flourished under Islamic empires. 

The display space itself has been designed to evoke an immersive experience: parts of the gallery mimic architectural elements of traditional Islamic structures. A domed, octagonal room — evocative of a historic mosque ambience — houses spiritual and religious artifacts, while a rest area with latticed screens glows with the shifting light typical of Islamic architecture.

A digital-art “Damascus Room,” inspired by a signature space at the Doha museum, offers visitors a chance to relax and reflect, bridging history and modern museum experience. 

According to NMK’s director, the gallery aims not only to display beautiful artifacts but also to deepen cross-cultural understanding — offering Koreans, many of whom may be unfamiliar with Islamic art and heritage, a first-hand encounter with its visual language. 

Representatives from both Seoul and Doha expressed hope that the gallery would foster cultural dialogue and mutual respect through shared artistic heritage. 

For visitors — locals, expatriates, or travelers — this is a rare chance to experience the splendor of Islamic civilization thousands of miles from its traditional heartlands. Whether one’s interest lies in religion, history, or art, the new Islamic Art Gallery in Seoul stands as a bridge between worlds — a timely reminder that cultural heritage belongs to all of humanity.