Sundey , November 02, 2025 {HMC} Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday attended the grand opening of Egypt’s new Grand Egyptian Museum, the world’s largest archaeological complex dedicated to a single civilization.
The ceremony, held at the foot of the Giza Plateau, was inaugurated by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and attended by delegations from 79 countries, including 39 led by kings, princes, and heads of state and government.
The launch featured a musical performance in one of the museum’s courtyards, with the iconic pyramids serving as a dramatic backdrop.
During his visit, President Mohamud is expected to highlight the historic and cultural ties between the peoples of Somalia and Egypt, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral relations.
The vision for the Grand Egyptian Museum dates back to the 1990s, when then–Culture Minister Farouk Hosni proposed creating an open museum complex connecting the pyramids, the Sphinx, and surrounding temples. Former President Hosni Mubarak laid the foundation stone in 2002, and site preparation began in 2005, though construction stalled for several years.
Work resumed in 2014 under President Sisi, who expanded the project into what is now the largest museum dedicated to a single civilization in human history. Between 2017 and 2023, Egypt completed construction, digital infrastructure, exhibition design, and service facilities, leading to trial operations in October 2024.
Located just two kilometers from the Giza Pyramids, the 490,000-square-meter museum offers visitors panoramic views through a five-story glass façade aligned with the height of the Great Pyramid. The complex also houses more than 100,000 artifacts, including the complete collection of King Tutankhamun’s treasures.
The project, estimated to have cost around $1 billion, was financed through two Japanese loans totaling $800 million, along with contributions from the Egyptian government, donations, and international partnerships.
Sourcew Hiiraan Online
