The Saudi National Museum is preparing to inaugurate the “Hijrah exhibit: In the footsteps of the Prophet” at its Riyadh headquarters by the end of the week following the current one. This is the Kingdom’s first and one of the most essential cultural exhibitions. It demonstrates an unwavering commitment to cultural heritage preservation and improving intercultural communication and interaction. It is being held in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and several local and international cultural institutions. The exhibition will be on display in Riyadh for six months. Then, it will move to Medina and subsequently to various countries worldwide. This exhibition sheds light on the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It aims to provide a one-of-a-kind cultural experience by exploring the nation-formation process that resulted from a significant event in Islamic history. From the migration of the Prophet from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE to the present day, where there are over 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide. The exhibition features 14 interactive stations depicting the noble journey of the Prophet, with a collection of artifacts and archaeological discoveries displayed in an unprecedented manner. In addition, a documentary and a book will tell the story of the great migration. The exhibition delves into various subjects covering various aspects of migration, a global social and cultural phenomenon. It accomplishes this by providing a historical account of the Prophet’s journey. The challenges encountered during the journey will also be emphasized. The exhibition includes prominent exhibits and engaging artworks reflecting the importance of migration through relevant artifacts. Other artistic collections focus on migration, showcasing historical documents that contain the stories and personal accounts of migrants.

The exhibition’s visitors can expect an engaging and educational experience. Various interactive activities, workshops, and seminars await visitors for the exhibition’s duration. The Saudi National Museum is keen on showcasing migration through different creative and informative methods and tools. The exhibition’s success can be attributed to the extensive work and research carried out by Atiq Al-Biladi - God rest his soul- and Prof. Abdullah Al-Kady. These experts delved into past migration narratives and employed a combination of fieldwork and traditional literary research methods. A comprehensive and in-depth vision of migration stories has been achieved by gathering information from various sources. This information has been presented objectively and innovatively. In a remarkable three-year feat, a dedicated group of over 70 researchers and artists have created an extraordinary visitor experience. Through their relentless efforts and specialized skills, they have each made significant contributions, culminating in a genuinely one-of-a-kind achievement. The collaborative efforts of the Saudi National Museum and the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture “Ithra” have been successfully reflected. All these shared efforts aim to explore and highlight the Prophet’s migration in a modern manner and present it to the public in a way that links the past with the present. It also aims to close the knowledge gap in the Prophet’s migration, featuring its profound cultural heritage that has its roots in the Arabian Peninsula, exhibiting its historical and civilizational significance, entrenching its value in Islamic history, and fostering local content creation.