The second great historical lesson to be learnt is that the Muslim world has always been wide open to every aspect of human existence. The sciences, society, art, the oceans, the environment and the cosmos have all contributed to the great moments in the history of Muslim civilisations. The Qur’an itself repeatedly recommends Muslims to become better educated in order better to understand God’s creation. Our collection seeks to demonstrate the openness of Muslim civilisations to every aspect of human life, even going so far as to work in partnership with intellectual and artistic sources originating in other regions.
— Closing Address by His Highness the Aga Khan, at the “Musée-Musées” Round Table
Louvre Museum – 17 October 2007
Ismailimail 
That is a brilliant excerpt from the speech, particularly the sentence:
“The Qur’an itself repeatedly recommends Muslims to become better educated in order better to understand God’s creation.”
I have discovered that the phrase “God’s creation” is a loaded phrase, pregnant with deeper meaning. Other quotes and excerpts that refer to “God’s creation” can be found here:
http://gonashgo.blogspot.com/2008/04/347quotes-and-excerpts-from-aga-khan-iv.html
LikeLike