It’s a vibrant south-east Asian capital teeming with futuristic glass skyscrapers and low-lying Malay, Islamic and Chinese architecture, punctuated by bright green spaces.

The 'Oceans That Speak' exhibition at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia runs until June 15, featuring programmes like a Jawi workshop, talks on Malay traditional boats, and sessions with researchers.

1. Masjid Raya Sultan Ahmad Syah This historic mosque, built during the rule of Sultan Ahmadsyah, is a beautiful example of traditional Malay-Islamic architecture.

As a scholar of Islamic art and architecture, Heba Mostafa feels she is in the perfect spot as she joins the Faculty of Arts & Science at the University of Toronto this year. “I’m Canadian, so coming ...