RIYADH, 13 May 2004 — The government is formulating new laws to preserve historical monuments and other sites of archaeological importance as well as to encourage the spread of museums across the country.
 
The move, promoted by the Supreme Commission for Tourism, is intended to end the destruction of scores of historical and Islamic sites which could be developed as tourist and cultural attractions.
 
Prince Sultan ibn Salman, SCT’s secretary-general, appointed an international agency last week to draw up a four-year strategy to develop museums and to package and promote the country’s wealth of antiquities for the tourist market.
 
“Efforts have already been intensified to develop important historical sites and to merge the Deputy Ministry of Antiquities and Museum with the SCT from next fiscal year,” said Professor Saad Abdul Aziz Al-Rashid, deputy minister for antiquities at the Ministry of Education.
 
Professor Al-Rashid expressed his concern over the destruction and decay of old architectural and Islamic monuments and sites. However, the sheer size of the country was part of the problem, he said.
 
“Geographically, the Kingdom is so big that it is not possible for us to look after a relatively low-value historical site. We can’t put obstacles also in the development of the country.”
 
The issue of destruction of historic sites was recently raised in a lecture organized by the UK-based Barakat Trust, a charity that promotes the study and awareness of Islamic art and architecture.
 
Asked about the situation in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, Professor Al-Rashid said attempts to preserve the cultural heritage in the two cities are a particularly difficult task, because the priority “is to carry out expansion to accommodate an ever-growing number of pilgrims.” However, he added that future plans, including the preservation and development of historical sites and monuments, “will be governed by the new laws.”
 
Professor Al-Rashid said eight excavation teams had been working in different parts of the Kingdom last year and some 20 archaeological projects were currently being undertaken. Dr. Khaleel Ibrahim Al-Muaikel, head of archaeology at King Saud University, said the university has also started an excavation at Al-Oula region, where pre-Islamic materials including pottery have been found. The findings there are expected to shed new light on the history and heritage of the Arabian Peninsula in general and Saudi Arabia in particular. 

M. Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Arab News

© Arab News 2004