Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) hosted "The Tatars – Muslims in the Republic of Poland" exhibition that was open to public from the 11 April 2017 until 31 April 2017. This exhibition was a collaborative effort between the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Kuala Lumpur.
The exhibition “The Tatars – Muslims in the Republic of Poland” highlighted the interesting subject and important history of the Muslims community in Poland. This exhibition, shared with the public selected photographs, historical documents and accounts that narrates the history and the origins of Tatars starting from their early settlements in the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania during the 14th century ; the era of Grand Duke Vytautas, up to the modern day Muslim community in Poland. It also highlights the involvement of Tatars and their important role in the military since the 14th and up to the early 20th century. The visitors will also trace their history during the World Wars of the 20th century. The exhibition panels display important archival images and documents which secure a sense of understanding about the Tatars, the Muslims, an integral part of the Republic of Poland.
In conjunction with the exhibition, a special lecture entitled ‘Islam and Relationship with the Muslim lands in Poland: A Short Historical Survey from 900 until current times’ was delivered by Prof. Dr. Ataullah Bogdan Kopanski during the launching. In this lecture, Prof. Kopanski will bring the audience to the stories of the origins of Tatar Muslims and their settlements in Poland, their contacts with Islamic powers such as the Golden Horde, the Ottoman and the Mamluks, the role of Tatar troops that took part in military actions in Poland from 15th to early 20th centuries and the Muslims in Poland in the modern times.