A snake temple. A dead poet’s home. Ancient rock art. The Arabian lion. These are
just some of the treasures of Arabian heritage that have been destroyed,
threatened, or forgotten by the incessant march of modernity – or simply lack
of awareness.
اضافة اعلان
In
parts of the Arabian Gulf, however, heritage is finally getting its due.
For
decades, natural, historical, and archaeological sites were not a priority in
the Middle East, especially in countries that had economic, political, and
security instability. Not surprisingly, important sites have been neglected,
destroyed by conflict, looted, and even built over.
Of
the 1,199 sites on the
UNESCO World Heritage List,
just 93 – 8 percent – are in Arab states – the lowest of any region.
Part
of the reason is bureaucracy. It takes a lot of paperwork and proper
documentation to have one’s heritage added to UNESCO’s international list. Many
worthy sites are never recognized, as insufficient information makes
verification impossible.
Yet
political will is also an essential ingredient to cultural preservation. In
several Gulf states, that inclination has arrived.
In
recent years, Gulf states, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,
have put significant energy into pushing for the preservation and recognition
of places and traditions. National heritage-related celebrations – such as
festivals for Saudi coffee and exhibitions for Emirati and Omani handicrafts –
highlight the importance of regional culture far beyond national borders.
A
particularly important milestone in these efforts was celebrated in September
when Saudi Arabia registered its first UNESCO natural heritage site, the
Uruq Bani Ma’arid Reserve.
“The
inscription of the reserve on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the first
natural heritage site in the Kingdom contributes to highlighting the importance
of natural heritage on a global scale and reflects the outstanding value of the
reserve,” said Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, the country’s
culture minister.
Encompassing
the western part of the Rub Al Khali, or Empty Quarter, the greatest expanse of
windblown sand on Earth, the Uruq Bani Ma’arid protected area is rich with
desert landscapes and wildlife habitats. It is home to iconic desert animals
including the Arabian Oryx and the Arabian Sand Gazelle.
Another
milestone came this month when the popular traditional dish
Harees was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list for Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman. Made with wheat,
meat, and ghee, the creamy dish is represented in folk stories and poetry.
Securing
a UNESCO listing is important for many reasons. First, it helps ensure
international recognition, which means more tourism, better legal protections,
and conservation support from the World Heritage Fund. Listing also helps with
reconstruction or rehabilitation. Many important sites in
Syria and
Iraq, for instance, are dependent on the attention international
recognition affords.
“The inscription of the reserve on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the first natural heritage site in the Kingdom contributes to highlighting the importance of natural heritage on a global scale and reflects the outstanding value of the reserve,”
Being
listed doesn’t guarantee safekeeping. Recent demolitions tied to construction
near
historic Cairo’s City of the Dead,
a site listed since 1979 as “one of the world's oldest Islamic cities,” have
drawn
local and international condemnation.
Egypt had asked for “revisions” to the boundaries of historic Cairo so the city
could carry on with demolitions. The issue is still under heated discussion.
The
country’s rationale – construction in the name of progress – is incredibly
short-sighted. The story of a nation and its heritage is embodied in its
artifacts, physical and figurative. Protecting them should be the rule rather
than the exception.
Many
recognize this. International museum repatriations are accelerating amid
demands for the return of treasures looted or stolen by colonizers of African
and Arab states.
To
be sure, much work remains. Thefts at museums and galleries around the world
have resulted in national treasures ending up at auction, sold for millions to
private collectors.
In
one particularly egregious case, a Ni'isjoohl memorial pole, a hand-carved
totem pole dating to the mid-19th century, was stolen in 1929 from a Canadian
Indigenous community and sold to the Royal Scottish Museum (now the National
Museum of Scotland). Fortunately, in that case, the artifact is now
back with its rightful owners in British Columbia.
Yet
many other looted artifacts remain in the hands of thieves.
Perseveration
and promotion of heritage, in all its forms, needs champions at the grassroots
and national levels. Without supporters, cultural artifacts will disappear with
time.
In
some cases, a legend is all that is left. The lost city of Ubar, also known as
Iram of the Pillars, was said to be a towered city from thousands of years ago
of wealth, jewels, incense, and gold. Mentioned in the Quran and retold in the
timeless tales of One Thousand and One Nights, Ubar was said to have been
destroyed by God, toppled by strong winds, and buried in the sand.
Excavations
and archaeological finds over the years have placed the legend of Ubar in
different locations; these include modern-day Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and
the desert of the Rub Al Khali.
For
now, Ubar remains a myth, lost in the sands of time. Our more tangible heritage
doesn’t need to suffer the same fate.
Rym Tina Ghazal is an editor-in-chief
of a cultural magazine, a peace and cultural ambassador, a thought/youth
leader, documentarian, lecturer, and author for young readers. X: @Arabianmau
Disclaimer:
Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Jordan News' point of view.
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