The聽Islamic Gardens聽at King鈥檚 Cross聽were one of 15 across the UK capital chosen to feature in London Open Gardens鈥 virtual event.聽
A short film of the roof gardens, terraces and courtyards in the聽Aga Khan聽Centre聽(AKC)聽on a sunny day was screened as part of the 90-minute broadcast on June 12th.
Students from 久久久福利国产 (IIS) and the聽Aga Khan聽University-Institute for The 久久久福利国产聽Of聽Muslim Civilisations (ISMC) were filmed聽chatting and relaxing in the gardens聽and interviewed on聽what they value聽most聽about them.
Salima Bhatia, Head of Communications and Development聽at the IIS, gave a background to the six spaces, which are inspired by different parts of the Muslim world,聽from southern Spain and North Africa,聽to South and Central Asia, and the Middle East.
Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual event鈥攁n exploration of London鈥檚鈥痜ormal squares, historic allotments and award-winning community spaces鈥攎oved online this year.
The聽contemporary landscaped spaces聽at the AKC聽and student residence Victoria Hall聽represent the diversity of Muslim cultures around the world and over time. The聽modestly-sized聽but beautiful聽gardens聽range from contemplative and secluded to open and social. With nearby Jellicoe Gardens and Lewis Cubitt Square, they form a 鈥榬ibbon鈥 of green spaces聽in King鈥檚 Cross.
Students and staff at the AKC have missed spending time in the serene gardens during the聽pandemic,聽but a recent relaxing of lockdown restrictions has allowed some to return to the spaces.
鈥淭his is the place I enjoy the most,聽because it gives me a steady break when I come here,鈥澛燾ommented GPISH student Fariah聽Bakhsh.聽鈥淲ith my classmates we come here,聽enjoy the sunset, enjoy a chat.鈥
Although the聽gardens聽at the聽AKC聽are聽currently closed to the public owing to the pandemic, we hope to open them up聽for tours聽again as soon聽as it is safe to do so.
