The Islamic Art Museum (I AM), to be established in the historic Saraje Building in the heart of Tirana, is envisioned as a flagship institution dedicated to safeguarding, studying, and presenting Islamic material and intellectual heritage in Albania and the wider Mediterranean world. Designed as both a research center and public museum, the project seeks to connect historical craftsmanship, manuscript culture, and devotional arts with contemporary curatorial practice and public learning.

A decisive milestone occurred on 17 September 2025 at the International Workshop organized by the Konak Institute. On this occasion, Edi Rama publicly announced that the Sarajet building will serve as the permanent site of the future Museum of Islamic Art and formally affirmed the Government’s cooperation with the Konak Institute in its establishment. The Prime Minister’s presence and endorsement elevated the project to the level of national cultural commitment, affirming that Islamic heritage constitutes an integral dimension of Albania’s historical and civic identity.

The workshop convened a distinguished and internationally recognized assembly. Among those in attendance were Blendi Gonxhe; Princess Vittoria Alliata di Villafranca, noted Italian publisher and cultural figure; Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, Director of the Venice Biennale; Dr. Bilal Badat, an internationally prominent curator of Islamic art; Prof. Ardian Isufi and Prof. Edison Ceraj of the Academy of Arts in Tirana, both leading voices in Albanian contemporary art and theory; Dr. Doan Dani, historian and research fellow at the University of Montreal; Besnik Sinani, Director of the Konak Institute and Lecturer at the University of Tübingen; and Imam Saimir Ismaili, collector and steward of the emerging museum collection. The session was moderated by architect Mimi Kotorri, a specialist closely engaged with the museum’s architectural and conceptual development.

The architectural vision was presented by Rotterdam based architect Jesús Hernández, proposing a sensitive restoration of the historic Sarajet structure alongside a purpose built adjacent facility. The design integrates conservation ethics with contemporary museological standards, incorporating archival storage, research spaces, conference facilities, and galleries for rotating exhibitions. Conceived as an open and accessible campus, the ensemble aligns with international benchmarks for preservation, education, and public engagement.

The breadth of attendance, spanning state leadership, international cultural figures, curators, scholars, artists, and religious representatives, underscored the project’s interdisciplinary and transnational significance. The workshop did not merely outline a building project; it articulated a coordinated cultural vision in which Albania’s Islamic artistic heritage is preserved, critically studied, and institutionally anchored for future generations.