The "Golden Ink: A Journey through Arabic and Islamic Manuscripts” is a flagship travelling exhibition in collaboration with McGill University – Canada. The exhibition, which celebrates the richness, inherent beauty, and global impact of Arabic and Islamic manuscript heritage, will be on view at Qasr Al Watan from 7 October 2025 for six months, and then travelling to Montreal, Canada, in January 2027.
Treasures from the Abu Dhabi Libraries' collection will be showcased alongside notable contributions from McGill University, Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and other esteemed UAE private collections. Curated pieces from Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and UAE private collections will be exclusive to the Abu Dhabi edition, granting unique access to local collections.
The exhibition promises an exploration of the intellectual and artistic legacy of the Islamic world, assembling a rare selection of manuscripts across disciplines such as science, literature, religion, art, and philosophy.
Curated with academic rigor and visual storytelling, the exhibition will educate and engage a diverse spectrum of audiences, from local communities and visitors to scholars and students. For those eager to explore further, a richly illustrated exhibition catalogue offers an extended journey into the themes and treasures of the show. It features in-depth insights into the manuscripts and their cultural significance and also opens with a foreword by Professor François Déroche, the esteemed Chair of the History of the Qur’an Text and Transmission at the Collège de France and a leading voice in the field of Arabic codicology and paleography. Visitors can expect immersive displays, bilingual object labels, digital interactives, and public programmes featuring a series of hands-on heritage workshops designed to make manuscript heritage accessible and engaging.
Upon the conclusion of its six-month residency in Abu Dhabi, the exhibition is slated to travel to McGill University, Montreal, in January 2027. This marks the second iteration, continuing its pivotal mission of fostering cross-cultural dialogue and underscoring the universal value of Arab and Islamic manuscript traditions.
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