By Dawan Africa - Reporter
Ethiopia, 20 December 2025 — Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Temesgen Tiruneh, has praised the role of the Bilal al-Habashi Museum in documenting Islamic history in Ethiopia, during a visit to the museum in Addis Ababa.
In a post published on his official Facebook account, Tiruneh said the museum’s founder, Bilal Habashi, established the cultural institution to serve as a living record of the Islamic presence in Ethiopia from its earliest beginnings to the present day. He stressed that Islamic history is an integral and inseparable part of Ethiopia’s national heritage.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted the museum’s significant historical and cultural value, pointing out the scarcity of institutions in Ethiopia dedicated to preserving and presenting Islamic history in such a comprehensive manner.
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He explained that the museum’s exhibits clearly reflect Ethiopia’s history from the time of the first Hijra to the modern era, recalling that the country was home to several companions of the Prophet, produced prominent Islamic scholars, and contains important Islamic artefacts and treasures.
Tiruneh also highlighted the institution’s social role, praising its contributions to youth training and empowerment, support for vulnerable communities, promotion of research and development, and the provision of housing initiatives for young people, describing these efforts as having a deep and lasting impact.
He said the Bilal al-Habashi experience represents a living model of how cultural initiatives can be transformed into effective tools for community development beyond immediate objectives, calling for the protection of this historical legacy and continued support for the museum and its initiatives to empower youth and preserve Ethiopia’s Islamic heritage.
