An exploratory tour of monuments and places of historic interest in several GCC countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, was recently organised by the World Monuments Fund (WMF).
The ‘Monumental Journey Tour’, came as part of efforts to establish an official presence and representation as well as strengthen the fund’s presence in order to support heritage projects around the gulf.
A 45-strong delegation was led by the fund’s president and chief executive, Benedicte De Montlaur. Notable attendees included WMF board member Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa and Arab countries representative Dr Elie Flouty.
This tour marked the beginning of a stronger WMF presence in the region, coinciding with the increasing interest in Arabic heritage issues, its preservation and integrating it into economic, tourism and social development plans.
WMF, which celebrates its diamond jubilee this year, has been focusing on Arab countries for 60 years. The organisation has made ‘significant contributions’ to the preservation of tangible heritage and has carried out around 68 projects in 13 Arab countries since the mid-1990s.
“We can now say that the World Monuments Fund has an official presence in our region, which is rich in world heritage sites,” said Dr Flouty. “We will work with all Arab governmental and non-governmental entities and international institutions to safeguard our ancient heritage.
“The WMF is currently active in 14 sites across various Arab countries and collaborates with both governments and local communities to implement these projects, providing funding and expertise.
“Our mission is to save the most threatened landmarks, whether from war or climate change.”
The delegation at AlUla
Among the most significant initiatives is the World Monuments Watch, a list of endangered sites issued every two years, which includes 25 places.
The 2025 list includes three sites from the region – the historic urban fabric of Gaza, the Jewish heritage in Debdou in Morocco and the water reservoirs (Majels) in the Old City of Tunis.
The delegation’s tour in the GCC included several stops, starting in Kuwait. They visited the Americani Cultural Centre where they were received by Dar Al Athar general supervisor Al Islamiyyah Shaikha Hessa Al Sabah.
They also visited the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, where renowned expert Dr Mohamed Al Rumaihi discussed the history of Kuwait and its major economic and social milestones. Other stops included the Soof Centre for Spinning and the Grand Mosque, designed by architect Mohamed Makia.
While in Bahrain, the delegation visited Muharraq and the Unesco World Heritage-listed Pearling Path, the Bahrain National Museum and several houses within the Shaikh Ebrahim Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research.
They also visited Bahrain Fort and its museum, the Dilmun Burial Mounds, a Unesco World Heritage site, and also had a special visit to the Rashid Al Khalifa Foundation for the Arts in Riffa.
In Saudi Arabia, stops included the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, the Old City of Jeddah, and the home of architect Sami Angawi. They also visited Medina and its major religious landmarks and concluded their visit to AlUla, a site rich in human heritage, natural and cultural landmarks.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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