The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has accepted a request by the Afghan government to include the western city of Herat among world cultural heritage sites. The city of Herat, with many historical sites and heritages, especially from the Islamic period, has always been one of the main destinations for foreign tourists in Afghanistan. Over the past two decades, renovation work has been done on a series of sites in Herat with the help of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF). There are several prominent sites in the city, including the shrine of Saint Khawja Abdullah Ansari, also known as Qal'ah-i Ikhtiyaruddin fort.  “We are very happy that the activities that were carried out by the Aga Khan Foundation in recent years paved the way for Herat to be registered among the world heritage list,” said Arash Bostani from AKF.

The Resident lists an exhibition at the Aga Khan Centre as a main attraction in London in July 2021. Making Paradise is a new group exhibition exploring the concept of Eden through Islamic garden design at the Aga Khan Centre. The show brings together 19 international multimedia artists, each of whom will present an interpretation of the concept of Al-Jannah – the Garden of Eden, or Paradise in Islam – and will feature digital reproductions of classical miniature paintings from the Aga Khan Museum’s permanent collection alongside other depictions of elements associated with Paradise. The central focus of the show is a silent fountain, designed by renowned Islamic garden designer Emma Clark. From this will spring a bespoke paper-cut installation of organic forms, created by American artist Clare Celeste Börsch. The exhibition will also feature an installation of birdsong and nature sounds.