Celebrated each May 18th, this year’s International Museum Day theme, “Museums for Education and Research,” highlights the role of these cultural institutions, which number 3,000 across the Islamic world, in advancing education, scientific research and heritage preservation.

On this occasion, which has been celebrated worldwide since 1977, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) calls upon its Member States and the world to strengthen the role of museums in education and research and to engage youth and students in heritage preservation. ICESCO’s call stems from its belief in the significance of museums to humanity, as they feature its intellectual treasures, preserve heritage, and convey cross-generational constructive messages.

ICESCO reiterates its unwavering support for museums across the Islamic world, bolstering their status as beacons of education and awareness-raising. This is achieved through the provision of technical support and training to museum professionals, and by fostering cooperation and exchange of expertise and knowledge between museums to amplify their role in achieving sustainable development and safeguarding the cultural heritage of the Islamic world.

Driven by a deep-seated belief in museums’ significance to the collective memory of Islamic world countries, ICESCO launched several initiatives in the field. These include the publication of the “Museums of African Region” in 2021, hosting the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization in its headquarters since 2022, and issuing a guide on the protection and valorization of museum exhibits in the Islamic world in 2023.

ICESCO currently supports a pioneering project geared toward green transformation and the use of clean energy. The project involves converting heritage sites and museums in Egypt to solar energy, a sustainable alternative that does not affect the environment and contributes to achieving sustainable development goals.