“This stands in contrast to tourist images of the city, which often focus on the large population and the ‘mass humanity' one encounters in China's capital. I wanted to focus not so much on the city itself, but on residents and their way of life, and images by people who live and work in Beijing.”

Since the Hajj exhibit began, the British Museum has been praised for fostering cultural diplomacy, acknowledging the role of Islam in British public life, and attracting new audiences to a cultural venue. In addition to tracing the history of the pilgrimage, the exhibit explains the purpose of the Hajj in Islam and the Muslim beliefs that inform the many rituals.

The event began with a short address by US ambassador who welcomed and informed the crowd about a cultural exchange programme between musicians of both countries. Thus far, Noori, Zeb and Haniya have travelled to the US to perform, while US artists are also expected to perform in Pakistan.

Rock music first developed in the United States in the 1950s and has evolved into an art form that celebrates the American value of free expression. Rock music also gives young people a voice with which to express themselves. The program is part of the U.S. Department of State’s ongoing cultural exchange programs.

Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News was quoted as saying that the soap operas have increased the country's influence abroad, especially in the Balkans and the Middle East, furthering the so-called soft power of Turkish diplomacy.

“This is what I like, we are sitting here in my gallery in former East German ground, former Russian land and I now have visitors from all over the world and the theme is peace, togetherness, freedom, anti-racism. I feel when I have such tools and I have such guests here, like you, that my work makes sense.”

Shared identity is unsustainable without incorporating culture and sports under the European umbrella, and football might prove to be one of the highest hurdles to jump on the road to Europeanization.