Four museums get SCTNH approval

MAKKAH: Four museums in Makkah have received recognition from the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) for their rich collections and popularity among visitors.
License to the museums — Al-Salam, Islamic Dinar, Human Heritage and Al Amoudi — means a big boost and all kinds of assistance, local media reported Saturday.
Meanwhile, two more museums are being licensed because the value of these institutions are being much appreciated by society.
The state’s concern over Saudi heritage and its civilizational dimension, within the national framework announced lately, will result in a qualitative leap forward and the way relics are being displayed and museums conserved.
The aim is to restore heritage sites and rehabilitate museums and artifacts in a manner that will contribute to comprehensive economic development and preserve the Kingdom’s cultural dimension by enhancing connection between citizens and the national heritage.
Work is underway in the program of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to preserve the cultural heritage of the Kingdom through 10 ways — preserving Islamic historical sites, establishing and rehabilitating museums and heritage sites in various governorates, operating and maintaining museums and heritage sites, preserving urban heritage sites and developing heritage villages, registering and protecting heritage, heritage search and excavations, programs and activities of museums and heritage sites, and developing artifacts and traditional industries.
Preserving heritage had problems of a special kind that were represented in the cultural thought mixed with a strict religious stand. However, the campaign led by the SCTNH addressed the issue and removed doubts.
These efforts were supported by the Council of Senior Scholars and visits by SCTNH President Prince Sultan bin Salman to the commission’s headquarters helped the launch of the project to preserve traditional sites for future generations.
These efforts help preserve national culture and support its integration. They also have economic returns for the Kingdom through tourism. Some heritage sites are now attracting more tourists and are no more empty and deserted.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman recently visited Al-Masmak historical museum and toured its various departments. He also reviewed exhibits that have been developed by the SCTNH.
“Read your history, visit this museum. Visit Al-Masmak and other landmarks of this ancient land. Our young men should recognize this unity, which is based on Islamic doctrine,” the king commented during the visit.