JEDDAH, 5 September 2005 -- Saudi Arabia's tourism chief yesterday blasted Madinah municipal authorities for demolishing part of the historic Hejaz railway and asked them to give a convincing explanation for the wrongdoing.
Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT), said that the demolition of the Hejaz railway bridge in Madinah was an unacceptable mistake.
"We are still awaiting a convincing explanation from the Madinah Municipality on the circumstances and reasons that led to the razing of the railway bridge and why they decided to demolish it," he told Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News.
"Destruction of historical sites and antiques are unacceptable," he said and praised Saudis for protesting the destruction of the railway bridge. "These are signs of cultural progress," he said about the protests.
He also underscored the National Guard's efforts in preserving the Kingdom's heritage by holding the annual Janadriya festival and constructing a heritage city in Janadriya, some 45 kilometers north of Riyadh.
The Madinah Municipality recently razed the Aqiq Bridge, which was part of the railway, drawing outrage from both historians and residents. The bridge suffered structural damage during last year's floods.
The Hejaz railway was originally built in 1908 to transport pilgrims from Damascus to Madinah on their way to Makkah for the Haj.
The SCT said it was not informed about the municipality's decision to destroy the bridge. "Municipalities have no authority to destroy any antiques or historical sites," Prince Sultan said citing instructions given by Crown Prince Sultan, Interior Minister Prince Naif and Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Prince Miteb. "The government issued an order four years ago preventing demolition of any historical sites," he pointed out. He praised the Kingdom's efforts to renovate some of the historical sites including the old government palace in Riyadh. "There is also a plan to renovate Old Jeddah."
Prince Sultan said the commission was surprised to hear reports of the bridge being demolished, adding that the government had spent SR24 million to renovate the facility five years ago. "I have personally inspected this railway flying over it at a low level. Most parts of this railway are far from residential areas," he pointed out.
The SCT chief also disclosed that the antiquities agency was planning to develop the destroyed site into a museum. He emphasized SCT's plan to renovate the whole Hejaz railway as well as some historic forts. "We have heard that the bridge's stones have been preserved, so it could be reconstructed," he added.
"Saudi Arabia is replete with historical sites and cultural monuments," he said and emphasized the importance of highlighting the Kingdom's humane and cultural roles. He insisted that decisions to destroy an antique site should not be taken by a municipal official. He said all antiquities and historical sites would be brought under SCT's authority shortly. He disclosed the commission's plan to renovate old villages as part of its efforts to promote handicrafts and create more jobs for Saudis. There are some 1,000 tourist sites in Madinah, with Islamic monuments representing about 50 percent. Several prominent personalities including former Shoura Vice Chairman Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef and Shoura member Dr. Ayed Al-Radadi have called for the protection of historical sites in the Kingdom.
The SCT has set out a strategy to develop the historical sites in the region including the Nabatean city of Madain Saleh in Al-Ula as well as the battlegrounds in Badr, Uhud, Khandaq and Khaibar. The 20-year strategy aims at promoting the Madinah region as one of the leading tourist centers in the Kingdom. It includes development of coastal areas in Yanbu on the Red Sea to establish tourist resorts and recreation centers.
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News
Arab News 2005
