Professor Sir Nasser D. Khalili is a world-renowned scholar, collector and philanthropist. His mission is to use the power of art and education to foster peace and unity worldwide.

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About David

Professor Sir Nasser D. Khalili is a world-renowned scholar, collector and philanthropist. His mission is to use the power of art and education to foster peace and unity worldwide.

Khalili Collections

Since 1970 Sir David has assembled, under the auspices of The Khalili Family Trust, eight of the world’s finest and most comprehensive art collections.

Khalili Foundation

Over the past three decades, the Khalili Foundation has been a global leader in promoting interfaith and intercultural relations. The Foundation has supported and driven a number of internationally recognised projects that use the power of art, culture and education to bring people together.

“You are a man who works for dialogue and peace”

Comment made by President François Hollande on the occasion of awarding Prof. Khalili the Rank of officier in the Ordre national de la Legion d’Honneur at the Elysée Palace, 11 April 2016

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“I wish to thank one of our most dynamic UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors, Professor Nasser D Khalili, for his passion and unfailing commitment to the values of heritage. He has spent considerable time and effort safeguarding Islamic heritage and is now the custodian of the largest group of objects related to the Holy City of Makkah.”

Irina Bokova, Director-General, UNESCO Holy Makkah, A Celebration of Unity (First, 2017)

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“Our role is to promote the common good in society and solidarity among the peoples. In our troubled times, interfaith harmony and cooperation couldn’t be more important, which is why Professor Nasser D Khalili, the famous Jewish collector, scholar and preserver of Islamic art and culture, was honoured with papal knighthoods from Popes St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI for his work in the pursuit of peace, education and culture amongst nations.”

Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, Honorary President, Dignitatis Humanae Institute, Vatican Holy Makkah, A Celebration of Unity (First, 2017)
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“Professor Nasser D. Khalili is not only a prominent art collector of international standing but also an outstanding scholar and benefactor, incidentally custodian of the greatest collection of objects related to Makkah and the Hajj. He has also been championing interfaith dialogue between the Abrahamic faiths for decades.”

Baroness Valerie Amos, Director of SOAS, University of London Holy Makkah, A Celebration of Unity (First, 2017)
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“The Khalili collection of Meiji are of Japan is only comparable as acknowledge by many scholars and museum directors, in terms of quality and size to the collection of the Japanese Imperial family.”

Dr. Helena Gagarina, General Director Moscow Kremlin Museums. Extract from the forward of the catalogue, Beyond Imagination Treasures of Imperial Japan from the Khalili Collection 19th to Early 20th centuries, July 2017
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“It would be impossible to create such a collection today, even with the ultimate time and funds.”

Gregory Irvine, Senior curator, Japan, Asian department, Victoria and Albert museum, London, UK. Extract from the forward of the catalogue, Beyond Imagination Treasures of Imperial Japan from the Khalili Collection 19th to Early 20th centuries, July 2017
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“The Khalili collection of Hajj and the Arts of Pilgrimage (700–2000) ranks in importance alongside the collections of the Topkapi Saray Museum in Istanbul, and includes major objects, many of which are unique and irreplaceable and have no parallel in any other collection, private or public.”

Edward Gibbs, Chairman, Sotheby’s Middle East and India, July 2014
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“He’s an unparalleled Art Collector.”

Ernest Veen, Director of De Nieuwe Kerk and Hermitage Amsterdam, December 2010

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