His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, inaugurated the exceptional museum dedicated to the life and work of the Prophet Muhammad (SallalLahu alayhi wa salam). This high place of knowledge and spirituality, unique in West Africa, offers an unprecedented immersion into the Siira through modern technologies, allowing visitors to understand better the Prophet’s heritage and the depth of His message of mercy, justice, and peace.
A proud WTN Tourism Hero Mouhamed Faouzou Deme explained that this museum is a new travel and tourism attraction in the Senegal capital and the first of its kind in West Africa due to cooperation between Senegal and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The museum in Dakar is the result of an agreement between the Senegalese authorities and the Muslim World League to make the capital a center of knowledge and Islamic heritage.
Mouhamed Faouzou Deme supports Gloria Guevara from Mexico to cammaign for UN-Tourism Secretary General. Gloria was a top advisor to Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Minister, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, a former WTTC CEO, and someone who sees Africa at the forefront of world tourism.
Mouhamed explained that construction began in August 2023. After 18 months of intensive work, the museum will open its doors on the esplanade located between the Grand Théâtre National and the Museum of Black Civilizations in the heart of Dakar.
Senegal is a center for French speaking Africa, and a fast growing travel and tourism destination.
Prestigious architecture and collections
Designed to blend tradition and modernity, the building features architecture inspired by the great Islamic civilizations. It opens onto a vast esplanade adorned with Quranic calligraphy and symbols representative of Islam.
The museum houses several interactive and immersive spaces, including:
- A permanent gallery dedicated to the life of the Prophet Muhammad, from his birth in Mecca to the spread of Islam.
- A collection of rare historical objects and manuscripts, including ancient writings, precious artifacts and faithful reproductions of pieces belonging to the prophetic era.
- A multimedia space where virtual reality immerses visitors in the settings of 7th century Arabia.
- A research and documentation center dedicated to Islamic history and civilization, with digital archives accessible to academics and researchers.
- A conference room where colloquiums, screenings, and temporary exhibitions will be organized.
A project with strong diplomatic significance
The museum’s inauguration on Thursday, February 27, 2025, was under the presidency of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the Senegalese head of state, in the presence of government representatives and diplomatic, customary, and religious authorities. This event will consolidate bilateral relations between Dakar and Riyadh and recognize Senegal’s importance in the Islamic cultural landscape.
The museum aims to be a vehicle for interreligious dialogue and the promotion of knowledge, reflecting the country’s role in transmitting Islam in West Africa. It aims to attract thousands of visitors, researchers, and worshippers worldwide, making Dakar a must-see destination for religious tourism.
