In 2001, the aspirations of five men in Addis Ababa led to the creation of a foundation dedicated to preserving Islamic heritage. This foundation, named in honor of Bilal ibn Rabah al-Habashi—the first African to embrace Islam and its inaugural mu’azzin—was established to safeguard and celebrate the rich Islamic history of Ethiopia.
Among the five founders, one distinguished figure stood out: Ustaz Mohammed Jamal Gonafer. Born in 1962 in Dessie, Wollo County of Jibbruck, Ustaz Mohammed witnessed the neglect of Islamic rituals and the preservation of religious artifacts and manuscripts in his hometown. This neglect spurred him into action. Despite having no money, his passion drove him to begin collecting donations from worshipers and supporters to realize his vision of establishing a foundation.
Ustaz Mohammed was soon joined by four prominent Ethiopian scholars from Addis Ababa University: HassenKawo (PhD), Idris Mohammed (PhD), Ahmed Zekaria (Asst. Prof.), and HassenSeid (PhD). Their combined efforts, coupled with the support of other like-minded stakeholders, strengthened the mission to preserve Islamic history in Ethiopia.
RELATED POSTS
In 2001, their efforts culminated in the formation of an association. This vision continued to evolve, leading to the establishment of the Bilalul Habashi Museum in 2018. According to Ustaz Mohammed, one of the museum’s goals is to collect and showcase Ethiopia’s Islamic cultural and religious artifacts, offering visitors a glimpse into the country’s rich Islamic heritage.
Mohammed emphasized that the Bilalul Habashi association distinguishes itself by focusing on community welfare services and the preservation of Islamic history in Ethiopia, rather than offering purely spiritual services. “We have been engaging in community services aimed at alleviating the conditions of individuals and communities across the country,” he told The Reporter Magazine.
Since its inception, the Bilalul association has remained apolitical and has refrained from accepting external funding. Instead, it focuses on humanitarian support for the elderly, destitute children, and others in need. “We have never taken any compensation or salary,” Ustaz Mohammed said. “As it is a taboo in my religious belief, I have never even taken a glass of water that comes from the institution.”
With over 50 employees, including board members and the management team, the Bilalul Habashi Museum stands as a testament to the preservation of history and support of its community. Mohammed noted that the institution symbolizes the resilience of civilizations, ensuring that the stories, traditions, and rituals of past and future generations are maintained.
Manuscripts and Artifacts
The museum’s collection includes ancient books on parchments authored by renowned Islamic scholars, numerous writings recounting the history and development of Islam in Ethiopia, cultural tools, and photographs of prominent Islamic figures, among many other treasures.
Nestled in Addis Ababa’s bustling Mekanisa neighborhood, the Bilalul Habashi Museum offers visitors a journey through time, showcasing not only its cultural artifacts but also its involvement in community development activities. The museum owes its existence to the dedication of the founding members, volunteers, and the generous support of donors.
Ustaz Mohammed highlighted that while the Museum has collected numerous artifacts and manuscripts, much more remains to be achieved. He stressed the importance of gaining people’s trust to collect historical heritage. “People have to believe in the work you do to donate their belongings. Over the years, we have earned the trust needed for people to give us artifacts, and manuscripts in their possessions” he said.
Over the years, the Museumhas emerged as a cultural beacon and community cornerstone, attracting dignitaries, foreign diplomats, scholars, students, and researchers. Ethiopian Airlines, under a bilateral agreement, has spotlighted the museum as a must-visit destination, showcasing Ethiopia’s rich Islamic heritage. The museum was visited by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Phd.), giving it a morale boost to carry on.
Community Impact and Future Aspirations
Established in 2018, the Museum offers a diverse array of services spread across seven floors. The ground floor is a hub of activity, featuring a modern gymnasium, a garment training center for aspiring tailors, and a leather products training sector.
The first floor houses a fairly well-stocked library, offering a haven for students and the public alike. The second to fifth floors are dedicated to well-designed rental apartments for both local and international residents, while one wing of the sixth floor boasts a fully equipped multi-purpose hall.
Ascending to the seventh floor, visitors discover the museum’s crowning jewel: a state-of-the-art videography and photography training center. This facility, equipped with the latest technology, has graduated nearly 70 professional videographers and photographers after a rigorous six-month course and currently trains 21 students.
A significant portion of the foundation’s resources is dedicated to education. Since its inception, the institution has enrolled over 900 students across all educational levels, providing comprehensive support, including medical care, meals, and financial aid.
In addition to supporting orphans and destitute children, the association runs the Daletty School, which charges minimal fees and offers scholarships to students who cannot afford their education. Currently, the school supports over 1800 students, guiding them from lower grades to PhD levels.
The foundation’s commitment extends beyond education. It collaborates with Alert Hospital to provide rehabilitation services for addicts and individuals with mental illnesses. These efforts have been recognized with various certificates of appreciation from multiple organizations.
Hussen Aman, an advisor to the museum, highlighted that the founders of the Foundation had already earned respect for their charitable work before the museum’s establishment. But they had to join forces in order to realize their shared vision of setting up an Islamic center, he said, adding that they knew they had to involve stakeholders and supporters of the cause, which they did. The Museum’s compound has become a vital source of income, enabling the museum to sustain itself financially while the welfare foundation operates independently.”
Hussen emphasized that the founders played a crucial role in gathering artifacts and manuscripts related to Islamic rituals from across the country, leveraging their influence to build the museum’s collection.
While the museum already serves as a repository of Ethiopia’s Islamic heritage, Ustaz Mohammed envisions a future where the museum continues to grow. As people donate more artifacts and manuscripts, these treasures will be meticulously cataloged, curated, and displayed to educate and inspire generations of visitors.
