The spectacular new Islamic Art wing of the Louvre opened to the public in Paris on Sept. 22. After decades in the shadows, one of the world’s most beautiful collections of Islamic art now has pride of place at the world’s most visited museum. A point is made here to showcase Islam as a civilization, not narrowly as a religion. Most of the objects are secular, some made by or for Christians and Jews, speaking to a long, vast cultural conversation in many languages. Many are long-neglected treasures with extraordinary stories. Read more