Azerbaijan’s Shusha hosting 12th meeting of Islamic World Heritage Committee PHOTO  

The 12th meeting of the Islamic World Heritage Committee (IWHC) is currently taking place in Shusha, Azerbaijan, as part of the celebrations for Shusha being designated the Culture Capital of the Islamic World for 2024.  

During the event, Aydin Karimov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for the Shusha district, welcomed the participants and expressed his wishes for a successful conference, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.  

Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), had his address delivered by Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture and Communication Sector. In his remarks, Zinelabidine emphasized ICESCO’s commitment to supporting efforts to preserve the Islamic world’s heritage.

This includes a series of publications aimed at identifying endangered archaeological sites and cultural elements, as well as efforts to add more historical sites to the Islamic World Heritage lists, which currently feature a total of 637 sites and cultural elements. Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Saadat Yusifova, also spoke at the event, highlighting the various challenges facing heritage preservation, particularly conflicts and wars.

She underscored that safeguarding this heritage is essential for the benefit of future generations.   In his address, Mohammed Al-Aidarous, Chairman of the Islamic World Heritage Committee, expressed gratitude to the Republic of Azerbaijan for hosting the meeting.

He noted that the gathering would address several significant issues impacting the Islamic world’s heritage, aimed at supporting its restoration and preservation. Webber Ndoro, Head of ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Center, outlined the Center’s strategic vision and priorities for the next two years, along with key programs and activities.

Experts from the Center presented various documents and reports detailing the finalization of the Islamic World Heritage Portal, emphasized the Center's partnerships, and showcased major publications planned for 2024. 

The meeting also included discussions on member states’ nomination files for historical sites and cultural elements to be inscribed on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List. Additionally, participants reviewed the vision and activities of ICESCO’s Heritage Center, presented its upcoming publications for 2024, and addressed the significant challenges facing the Center.

By Naila Huseynova