Architectural masterpiece unveiled as community edges closer to Australia’s first purpose-built Museum of Islamic Art

More than 400 guests gathered at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney on Saturday 25 July for the sold-out inaugural Museum of Islamic Art Australia (MIAA) Gala Dinner, marking a defining milestone in the journey towards establishing Australia’s first purpose-built Museum of Islamic Art.


The evening culminated in the long-awaited unveiling of the museum’s architectural design by internationally acclaimed ARM Architecture, transforming years of vision and planning into a tangible blueprint for what is expected to become a major cultural landmark in Western Sydney.

The gala also celebrated the remarkable progress of the project, which organisers revealed is now 82 per cent funded.

Hosted by MC Orhan Kaba in the Art Gallery’s Kaldor Hall, the evening blended faith, culture, architecture, music and philanthropy, reflecting the museum’s aspiration to become a place where Islamic civilisation, Australian identity and intercultural dialogue converge.

Acknowledging country and celebrating shared heritage

The evening commenced with a Welcome to Country by Elder Michael West of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, who shared his personal story as a member of the Stolen Generations and a Gadigal custodian.

West drew powerful parallels between First Nations heritage and Australia’s multicultural story, condemning Islamophobia while speaking of the Gadigal people’s ancient maritime trade with Indonesia and China.

He explained the significance of the nawi bark canoes, the sacred ibis and Indigenous customs surrounding remembrance of those who have passed away.

His address set a tone of mutual respect and shared belonging that resonated throughout the evening.

Bilal Kilic then recited Surah Al-Fatihah and the opening verses of Surah Al-‘Alaq, whose first revealed command, “Read”, beautifully echoed the museum’s educational mission.


From vision to reality

Professor Renée Leon PSM, Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University, congratulated the Islamic Sciences and Research Academy (ISRA) and the Museum of Islamic Art Australia for bringing the ambitious project to its architectural milestone.

She highlighted the longstanding partnership between Charles Sturt University and ISRA in advancing Islamic studies in Australia and described the museum as far more than an exhibition space.

“It will be a place of intellectual tradition, dialogue and social cohesion,” she said, noting that Islamic civilisation has made profound contributions to science, philosophy and higher learning throughout history.

Guests also heard a written message from Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC
Governor of New South Wales, read by Nabiha Rajput, describing the museum as a future world-class cultural landmark for both Western Sydney and Australia.


A museum born from personal experience

In his address titled “From Vision to Reality”, Founding Director of ISRA, Professor Mehmet Ozalp reflected on the deeply personal journey behind the project.

He recounted arriving in Australia as a young migrant who experienced bullying and discrimination before the encouragement of a compassionate teacher transformed his life.

That experience, he said, inspired his lifelong commitment to education and creating spaces where Muslims feel they belong while sharing their heritage confidently with wider Australian society.

Professor Ozalp explained that ISRA had already demonstrated the demand for serious Islamic education through its academic programs and that the museum represents the next chapter in building institutions that contribute positively to Australia’s multicultural success.

Rather than serving only Muslims, he described the museum as a national institution where Australians of every background could discover the artistic, scientific and cultural achievements of Islamic civilisation.


Museums must speak to the present

Delivering the keynote address, Art Gallery of New South Wales Director Maud Page welcomed guests to one of Australia’s premier cultural institutions while reflecting on the changing role of museums.

She argued that museums today must not simply preserve the past but remain relevant to contemporary society by fostering difficult conversations and new perspectives.

Page acknowledged that while the Art Gallery does not have a dedicated Islamic art department, contemporary Muslim artists are already reshaping Australia’s cultural landscape.

She highlighted the work of Hoda Afshar, Shireen Taweel and Nusra Latif Qureshi as examples of artists whose practice demonstrates the evolving future of Islamic art in Australia.


Building a work of art

The evening’s highlight came with the dramatic unveiling of the museum’s architectural design by Mark Raggatt and Joshua Morrin of ARM Architecture.

Responding to the design brief, the architects explained that they sought to make the building itself “a work of art” rather than merely a container for art.

Their design centres around a tranquil courtyard oasis inspired by traditional Islamic gardens, creating a welcoming communal heart for the complex.

A sacred gallery space provides visitors with opportunities for contemplation, while intricate geometric ornamentation draws inspiration from traditional muqarnas architecture and the richly embroidered Kiswah covering of the Kaaba.

The architects also revealed plans for a dedicated children’s gallery, educational spaces and exhibition areas designed to encourage curiosity across generations.

Most importantly, they described the museum as an “intercultural space” where every visitor, regardless of faith or background, would be able to see themselves reflected in Australia’s shared story.


Education, empathy and belonging

A panel discussion moderated by Orhan Kaba brought together architects Mark Raggatt and Joshua Morrin with Dr Eeqbal Hassim and Dr Nur Shkembi OAM to explore the broader significance of the project.

Dr Hassim described the museum as an educational institution capable of fostering empathy, perspective-taking and human dignity by helping visitors understand cultures different from their own.

Dr Shkembi emphasised that the museum was unique because it had emerged “by the community, for the community,” with artists and local communities placed at the centre of its vision rather than simply displaying historical artefacts.


Community voices reflect on history in the making

The evening concluded with reflections from prominent Australians including artist Khaled Sabsabi, businessman Talal Yassine, MasterChef alumna Amina Elshafei, Belqis Youssofzay and Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik.

Belqis Youssofzay reflected on attending the celebrated 2014 Afghan Treasures exhibition and said the new museum would finally give Western Sydney communities a permanent cultural home without travelling across the city.


Talal Yassine praised Professor Ozalp’s perseverance after previous attempts to establish such a museum had failed, remarking that “culture is always upstream of politics” and that art has the power to reshape public narratives.

Amina Elshafei spoke emotionally as both a mother and Australian Muslim, expressing excitement that her children would grow up seeing their heritage represented within Australia’s cultural institutions. She likened Australia’s multicultural identity to “a good stew” where every ingredient enriches the whole.

Aftab Malik reminded guests of the Prophetic saying that “God is beautiful and He loves beauty”, describing the museum as a future “beauty mark” on Australia’s cultural landscape.


A call to complete the vision

Returning to the stage for the evening’s closing remarks, Professor Ozalp revealed that the museum has secured approximately 82 per cent of the funding required for construction but still needs a further $5.73 million to complete the project.

He invited governments, philanthropists and community supporters to help realise the final stage of the vision, including opportunities to secure naming rights for the museum’s four principal galleries.

David Purcell, President of ISRA, concluded the formal program with a vote of thanks, acknowledging the years of dedication invested by Professor Ozalp, the architects, volunteers, donors and supporters.

He described the Museum of Islamic Art Australia as a lasting investment in Australia’s social cohesion and cultural confidence at a time when institutions that build understanding are needed more than ever.


Community support

The evening was made possible through the support of principal sponsors The Tax Factor and Theorem Consulting, together with MetroStrata, Hikma Legal, Australian Universal Federation, Awqaf Australia, Salaam and Think Studio, whose contributions helped bring the landmark event to fruition.

As guests departed following the silent auction and musical performances featuring Ottoman oud, ney and guitar, there was a palpable sense that they had witnessed more than the unveiling of a building.

They had witnessed the emergence of a new national cultural institution—one that seeks to preserve the artistic legacy of Islamic civilisation while enriching Australia’s multicultural story for generations to come.