JEDDAH, 16 November 2005 — Old Jeddah is a popular destination for local and international schools conducting field trips on history. Connecting students with the past is part of school curriculum in many Jeddah schools.

“They (the schools) certainly know it is an entertaining and educational trip for their students,” said Sami Nawwar, an architect responsible of the preservation of Old Jeddah.

In the last six months, he said the municipality has arranged about 55 field trips.

Although some schools prefer taking their students to theme parks, others choose to send them to Makkah, Madinah and to historical places in Jeddah.

May Abdulilaah, a 12th grader at a private school, said that it is better to tour these places with a guide.

“Seeing the place while learning about it always helps to remember the facts,” May said.

Nawwar told Arab News that when a school arranges with Jeddah municipality for a trip, a program is tailored for the students according to their age.

Tours for undergraduates and high-school student may last two to three hours, but tours for younger students are shorter. Tours include a brief, informative seminar on Jeddah’s history and background.

Nawwar says many students are amazed by what they learn about the city’s history. Students also enjoy a tour of Old Jeddah and its four famous neighborhoods.

Guides introduce students to workmen continuing age-old trades and take them on a visit to Naseef House, Jeddah’s oldest, and the recently discovered water foundation from the Mameluke Era (1382-1517 AD).

“It was exciting to meet all those old workmen and hear stories from them,” said Rayyan Salih, a 9th Grader at a private school. “I’ll probably start looking for more information about its history. I’m sure I’ll never have enough.”

Before the end of the tour, students are invited to have a traditional meal where they get a chance to discuss their visit.

“Some students suggested that they wanted to be part of it and participate to help keep their history, culture and traditions alive,” Nawwar said. The idea of having an association in which young Saudis can help enliven old Jeddah, as Nawwar said, is being considered by the municipality.

In the meantime, students touring Old Jeddah will continue to get a chance to experience the Kingdom’s rich history in a way that will not soon be forgotten.