Shaykh Mustafa gained international acclaim for his Beyond Bilal: Black History in Islam lecture series, which explored the deep-rooted relationship between Islam and Black History, the legacy of contemporary African Islamic Scholarship, its role in the International Relations of the Muslim World, and the vital role of Female Scholarship in the West African Islamic Tradition. He presented this lecture series at over 30 universities across three continents, including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, and Yale.

The success of Beyond Bilal led to its adaptation into a book, which became an Amazon bestseller within the first month of its release. This success prompted an American and European book tour, during which Mustafa was hosted and interviewed by various scholars at academic and Islamic institutions, such as Imam Omar Sulaiman of Yaqeen Institute, Shaykh Mikaeel Ahmed Smith of Qalam Institute, Shaykh Suhaib Webb of the Islamic Center of New York University, and Professor Shadaab Rahemtulla of Edinburgh University, where the book is currently part of the educational curriculum.

Expanding on his research and scholarship, Shaykh Mustafa authored Islam and the Making of the Modern World, a thought-provoking exploration of Islam’s impact on global history. In this book, he challenges dominant Eurocentric narratives and highlights how Muslim civilizations have shaped science, culture, trade, and politics. From the enduring legacy of the Roman Empire and its relationship with the Muslim Caliphate to the oral traditions of West Africa and the scholarly exchanges of Al-Andalus, the book delves into the intellectual brilliance of the Islamic Golden Age alongside the geopolitical legacies of the Crusades and the Ottoman Empire. It also examines how crucial events, such as the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, were informed by both Islamic and anti-Islamic dynamics. Through these historical insights, the book offered a fresh perspective on the interconnectedness of global civilizations and the enduring impact of Islam on the modern world. Within 48 hours of its release, Islam and the Making of the Modern World became the #1 Amazon bestseller in the History of Islam category, further cementing its significance in contemporary historical discourse.

Shaykh Mustafa Briggs has made significant contributions to the understanding of Islamic history and scholarship, particularly in relation to Black history and the role of African scholars in the Islamic tradition. His work continues to inspire and educate people worldwide, bridging cultural and historical gaps through his lectures and writings

Participants should book “Multi-city” flights to Banjul (BJL), The Gambia and arrive by late afternoononwards on Saturday, January 17. For travelers from the US, this would mean departing from your city of origin on Friday, January 16 (or earlier depending on connecting flights and cities). Participants should plan on departing from Dakar (DSS), Senegal on January 26. During the tour, we will make our way from The Gambia to Senegal by private A/C bus, canvassing several important cities and locales in these countries.

Bayan’s tours are focused on providing a well-rounded experience featuring scholarly knowledge, cultural exposure, recreational activities, and free time. Most tour groups are multi-generational and diverse in nature. In addition to historical and contemporary sites of interest, the itinerary includes visits to mosques and other places of worship to accommodate the religious needs of group members. Our group size tends to be in the range of 20-30 participants from North America and beyond. Participants are able to get to know one another and develop bonds of friendship and camaraderie that can last a lifetime. By participating in a tour, you are helping sustain and advance Bayan’s mission as a non-profit educational institution.

The registration deadline is September 1st (or earlier if capacity is reached, at which point registration will be closed). A completed registration form and deposit of $1000 USD per traveler is required to officially secure a spot in the tour group. After the deadline or closing of registration, deposits shall become non-refundable. Participants who request to cancel their booking after the closing of registration will be given the option to apply their deposit to a Bayan tour within the next 12 months only.

An invoice for the balance due (reflecting any applicable discounts) will be emailed to registered participants around the time of the deadline or closing of registration. The remaining balance shall be due upon receipt of invoice. Timely payment must be received for us to confirm hotel rooms, coordinate transportation and complete related bookings. Balance payments received by us cannot be refunded, due to the payments being transmitted to our local partner agency for bookings (which cannot be recouped by Bayan Tours), nor can these funds cannot be applied to a future tour. Participants who are uncertain about their ability to join a tour after having paid the deposit and balance should secure travel insurance should it become necessary to drop out for any reason and seek redress for airfare and tour costs through the policy.

Bayan’s tours are open to participants who wish to join from anywhere in the world. However, the majority of participants tend to be from the United States. Citizens of the USA, Canada, UK and EU member states do not require a visa to enter Senegal. However, US nationals do need to obtain a visa for Gambia which can be purchased on arrival. The cost is around $110 USD.

Our group will be transported from site to site in a tourist bus or series of large vans, depending on circumstances. In different cities and historical sites, there will be a fair amount of walking on level ground, and in some places there may be a few flights of steps. The guides will aim to take into account the differing abilities and health conditions of group members and regulate the pace and intensity of the tour accordingly. However, participants should expect to walk roughly 10,000 steps each day (about 5 miles in aggregate).

We will often have traditional Western African food from The Gambia and Senegal, as well as some international cuisine. Domoda is the national dish of Gambia, a peanut stew made with or without meat. In Senegal we will have maafe, a dish made with tomato and peanut butter sauce or bassi-salte which is a traditional stew. Dishes often feature jollof rice, stewed meat or fish, and vegetables. Popular beverages include bissap, made from hibiscus flower, and a type of coffee called café touba. All food served will be halal.

Yes, all participants who have completed their full payment will receive a detailed information packet that includes descriptions of the cities and sites to be visited, the daily schedule, currency exchange, local prayer times, electrical adapters, weather, what to pack, and more.

We encourage participants to be fully vaccinated with at least one booster shot for all who are eligible to receive these shots. We do not expect to mandate masking during the tour, but we encourage masking whenever possible and according to each individual’s comfort level. For example, when visiting crowded areas, it may be best to wear a mask. General sanitary practices should be maintained at all times, such as washing hands with soap, using sanitizing gels and wipes, and maintaining a reasonable distance between individuals.