The Story Begins: Launch of the Museum of Islamic Art Australia

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On Sunday 26 October 2025, the Museum of Islamic Art Australia (MIAA) hosted a landmark evening at the Novotel Parramatta, bringing together community leaders, artists, academics and supporters to unveil the vision for Australia’s first museum dedicated to Islamic art. Titled The Story Begins, the event marked the public announcement of the museum site, the unveiling of its official logo and the presentation of its long term cultural and educational aspirations.

The evening opened with a welcome from the Islamic Sciences and Research Academy (ISRA), the institution leading the project in partnership with Charles Sturt University. Guests were reminded of ISRA’s longstanding commitment to education and community engagement, setting the context for the museum as a natural extension of this work.

A recitation from the Qur’an was followed by an address from Mehmet Ozalp, founding visionary of MIAA, who outlined the need for a dedicated institution to preserve, study and celebrate Islamic artistic heritage within the Australian context. He emphasised the museum’s role as both a cultural destination and an educational hub for future generations.

A highlight of the program was a panel discussion on Islamic Art in Australia: Understanding Global Art in a Local Context, moderated by Professor Ozalp and featuring Dr Nur Shkembi, Artistic Director and Curator of MIAA, alongside acclaimed multidisciplinary artist Khaled Sabsabi. The discussion explored the evolving presence of Islamic art in Australia, the importance of representation and the opportunities the museum will create for artists, researchers and communities.

Following the Maghrib break, guests returned for a musical performance by kanun player Tarik Hussein, setting the tone for the evening’s ceremonial announcements. The official reveal of the museum’s future site at 99 Parramatta Road, North Granville marked a historic milestone for the project. Attendees also witnessed the unveiling of the museum’s visual identity by designer Aliyah Quadan, symbolising the beginning of a new cultural institution for Australia.

The program included presentations from project partners RP Infrastructure, who will oversee construction, as well as the announcement that the Sydney Muslim Writers Festival will be hosted at the museum in the future, signalling the site’s role as a broader cultural precinct.

The evening concluded with reflections and a prayer by Ibrahim Abu Mohammad, whose dua marked a meaningful and spiritual close to a historic gathering.

The Story Begins marked not only the launch of a museum, but the beginning of a long term vision to establish a permanent home for Islamic art and culture in Australia. The event demonstrated strong community support and set the foundation for the museum’s development, future programs and national significance.

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