Hawzah News Agency –Co-produced by the Musée du Louvre and Réunion des Musées Nationaux – Grand Palais, these exhibitions highlight the connections between France and the Islamic world. It looks back at over thirteen centuries of history from cultures including Arab, Turkish, Indian, Iranian, Asian and North African. The 18 exhibitions in 18 cities are taking place throughout France, in venues ranging from museums to multimedia centres, libraries and cultural spaces.

Over 180 works in total will be shown to the public, including an 11th-century lamp from a Jerusalem mosque and a candlestick from the Saladin era recounting the life of Jesus, signed by an artist from Mosul. Along with the medieval and historical items, each exhibition will also feature a piece of contemporary artwork.

“The idea is to show that Islam has been part of French cultural heritage since the Middle Ages,” says Yannick Lintz, the head of the Musée du Louvre’s Islamic department, which is providing 60 of the pieces for the exhibitions.