McGill Libraries Launches Ancient Manuscripts Exhibit in Abu Dhabi

McGill Libraries has partnered with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) to unveil an exhibition dedicated to ancient Islamic manuscripts, titled “Golden Ink: The Art and Legacy of Islamic Manuscripts.” The exhibition aims to celebrate the profound artistic and intellectual contributions of Islamic culture and will be showcased from October 2025 to April 2026 in Abu Dhabi before moving to Montreal in the winter of 2027.

Timed to coincide with the Abu Dhabi International Conference on Manuscripts, this exhibition highlights rare manuscripts, including significant pieces from McGill’s own collection. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore centuries of Islamic traditions through intricate calligraphy, exquisite illumination, and detailed lithography.

Showcasing Rare Treasures

Among the notable items featured in the exhibition is an 8th-century Qur’an folio written in Kufic script, a microcalligraphy manuscript where devotional phrases form intricate designs, and a vibrant 1839 atlas that reproduces the maps of the 10th-century geographer al-Istakhri. These selections reflect a rich tapestry of Islamic art and knowledge.

“The selection process for the pieces was a wonderful exercise that allowed both organizations to rediscover our respective collections,” said Anaïs Salamon, Head of McGill’s Islamic Studies Library and co-curator of the exhibit. “We aimed to take visitors’ breath away with visual beauty and perfection.”

The collaboration between McGill and DCT Abu Dhabi emerged from connections fostered by the Friends of the Libraries. Both institutions view “Golden Ink” as the start of a promising relationship, with aspirations for future exhibitions in different cities.

Logistics and Preservation Challenges

This exhibition marks a significant milestone, as it is the first occasion that McGill’s rare manuscripts have left the university since their acquisition. “This is not a simple loan,” noted Guylaine Beaudry, Dean of Libraries at McGill. “The logistics and the thousands of questions that arise require substantial support from our administration, legal, and security teams.”

Transporting rare and fragile manuscripts across continents involves rigorous conservation checks before, during, and after travel. Each item is packed with care and displayed in museum-quality cases that maintain controlled temperature and humidity. To minimize light exposure, pages will be turned throughout the exhibition.

“Preserving these materials is a collective responsibility,” Salamon emphasized. “It’s particularly meaningful to bring these works back to their region of origin, even temporarily, and allow those whose history is intertwined with these pieces to engage with them.”

Future Engagements and Opportunities

When the exhibition relocates to Montreal in 2027, McGill Libraries plans to engage new audiences through educational programming, cultural events, and collaborations with other institutions. To facilitate this, they are inviting donations to help procure custom display cases and other materials essential for ensuring the safety and accessibility of these rare manuscripts.

“By bringing these very rare manuscripts to Abu Dhabi and then home to Montreal in 2027, we’re sharing McGill’s collections with the world, creating opportunities for discovery and dialogue,” Beaudry remarked. “This project exemplifies the remarkable potential that arises when institutions and communities unite.”

The “Golden Ink” exhibition promises to be a significant cultural event, enriching the understanding of Islamic heritage and fostering cross-cultural connections.