WATCH: Inside look at Toronto’s Aga Khan Museum

WATCH ABOVE: The Aga Khan Museum lets Global News take an advance tour before opening later in the month

TORONTO – The Aga Khan Museum is one of a kind in North America, and Global News has your first look inside the walls of Toronto’s newest attraction.

The museum is dedicated to Islamic art, an important chapter in the history of human civilization and art.  But it also aims to exemplify the ideals of pluralism and diversity, in much the same way as the city it now calls home does.

“When the question of where to set up the museum came about, I think Toronto was identified as a place where the ideas of the museum would resonate the best,” said Aga Khan Museum Director & CEO Henry Kim.

The museum is just part of a massive complex.  Across from the building, on the other side of a serene public park, sits an Ismaili Centre, a place for reflection, spirituality and engagement.

It has taken four years since ground was broken for the museum to be ready to host Toronto with the doors now officially opening Sept. 18.

“This is a museum of the art of the Muslim world. But what it’s here for is to show people the connections across time and across cultures,” said Kim.

Designed by architect Fumihiko Maki, the entire building is considered a work of art which plays with shadows and natural light throughout the day.

The museum that bears his name is an initiative of His Highness The Aga Khan — spiritual leader to the world’s Ismaili Muslim community.

“His Highness takes a very passionate interest in architecture. So this building is part of the excellence in architecture he’s been involved in for the last 50 years,” said Kim..

With files from Zaffrin Pira