A woman examines a box entitled "Al-Mughira's pyxis" from Spain on September 17, 2012 in Paris, during a press visit of the new Department of Islamic Arts at the Louvre, the largest of its kind in Europe, with 3,000 artefacts on display, gathered from Spain to India and dating back to the seventh century AD. Intended to celebrate "The Radiant Face of a Great Civilization" the 100-million-euro project - largely financed by donors from across the Islamic world - will be inaugurated by French President ahead of its official opening on September 18. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD
AFP
2/5
Louvre Islamic Art
A lectern for Koran (L) and Lamps from Egypt or Syria dating from the 14th century are displayed on September 17, 2012 in Paris, at the new Department of Islamic Arts at the Louvre, the largest of its kind in Europe, with 3,000 artefacts on display, gathered from Spain to India and dating back to the seventh century AD. Intended to celebrate "The Radiant Face of a Great Civilization" the 100-million-euro project - largely financed by donors from across the Islamic world - will be inaugurated by French President ahead of its official opening on September 18. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD
AFP
3/5
Louvre Islamic Art
A picture taken on September 17, 2012 in Paris, shows a view of the new Department of Islamic Arts at the Louvre, the largest of its kind in Europe, with 3,000 artefacts on display, gathered from Spain to India and dating back to the seventh century AD. Intended to celebrate "The Radiant Face of a Great Civilization" the 100-million-euro project - largely financed by donors from across the Islamic world - will be inaugurated by French President ahead of its official opening on September 18. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD
AFP
4/5
Louvre Islamic Art
Visitors examine Islamic art works on September 17, 2012 in Paris, during a press visit of the new Department of Islamic Arts at the Louvre, the largest of its kind in Europe, with 3,000 artefacts on display, gathered from Spain to India and dating back to the seventh century AD. Intended to celebrate "The Radiant Face of a Great Civilization" the 100-million-euro project - largely financed by donors from across the Islamic world - will be inaugurated by French President ahead of its official opening on September 18. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD
AFP
5/5
Louvre Islamic Art
Visitors examine Islamic art works on September 17, 2012 in Paris, during a press visit of the new Department of Islamic Arts at the Louvre, the largest of its kind in Europe, with 3,000 artefacts on display, gathered from Spain to India and dating back to the seventh century AD. Intended to celebrate "The Radiant Face of a Great Civilization" the 100-million-euro project - largely financed by donors from across the Islamic world - will be inaugurated by French President ahead of its official opening on September 18. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD
AFP
France's Louvre museum opens a new wing of Islamic art aimed at improving knowledge of Islam around the world.