New IAMM show explores how trade routes, Islam shaped region’s cultural legacy

A manuscript titled 'Dala’il al-Khayrat' from the Malay Peninsula dated Feb 14, 1771. It is part of the 'Oceans That Speak: Islam And The Emergence Of The Malay World' exhibition, which opens on Dec 13 at IAMM in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: IAMM

Dive into the era of maritime trade at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) in Kuala Lumpur with its upcoming exhibition, Oceans That Speak: Islam And The Emergence Of The Malay World.

Running from Dec 13 to June 15, 2025, this exhibition takes visitors on an insightful journey through the rich cultural exchanges of the Malay world. It revisits how the Malay Archipelago became a key hub for global maritime trade and intellectual exchange, shaping the spread of Islam and leaving a profound cultural and artistic legacy.