Saudi Arabia has revealed plans to build a world-class Islamic museum. The details of the project were released on 25 April as part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 document.

In the document, the kingdom stresses its importance in the history of Islam, with Mecca being the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed, and Medina being home to the first Islamic society.

Commenting on the proposed museum, the document says: “We will build an Islamic museum in accordance with the highest global standards, equipped with the latest methods in collection, preservation, presentation and documentation. It will be a major landmark for our citizens and visitors, where they will learn about the history of Islam, enjoy interactive experiences and participate in cultural events.”

It is not yet clear where the museum will be built, but it is part of a broader drive to accommodate more religious visitors to the kingdom. It seeks to increase the number of umrah pilgrims from 8 million to 30 million a-year.

More museums and cultural attractions are planned. “We will establish more museums, prepare new tourist and historical sites and cultural venues, and improve the pilgrimage experience within the kingdom,” says the Vision 2030 document.

In 2010, a contract to build a cultural centre on the site where oil was first struck in Saudi Arabia was awarded to the local Saudi Oger. Known as the King Abdulaziz Centre for Knowledge & Culture, the estimated SR2bn ($533m) scheme involved building five interconnected buildings housing exhibition halls, a museum, a mosque, a library, a cinema, an auditorium and a theatre to accommodate 1,000 visitors.