The building housing the Kelantan Islamic Museum is itself a significant historical artifact, dating back to 1902. It was originally built as the official residence of the first Menteri Besar of Kelantan, Dato' Perdana Menteri Paduka Raja Haji Nik Mahmud bin Haji Wan Ismail. Because of its deep association with religious scholarship, the building was famously known as Serambi Mekah (The Veranda of Mecca). From 1914 to 1954, it served as the home of the renowned Madrasah Muhammadi, one of the most important centers for Islamic education in the Malay Peninsula, producing many prominent religious scholars. In 1991, after extensive restoration, the state government officially converted the structure into a museum. Today, it stands as a testament to Kelantan's identity as a hub of Islamic learning and heritage, chronicling the arrival and spread of Islam in the region.