His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, President of SCTA, pointed out that the importance of Antiquities and Heritage lies in its essential role in the formation of citizen's identity and affiliation to his history and civilization, as well as promote patriotism and pride for his homeland, especially so, when Saudi Arabia is a land of various civilizations over the ages, which have left an influential presence in the field of culture and science throughout its history. His Royal Highness in this regard, referred to the intention of the SCTA to create a paradigm shift in people's opinion about the antiquities and architectural heritage.

HRH was speaking at the Abdul Maqsood Khoja’s weekly intellectual ‘Salon’ (Ethniniat) at a special ceremony held in his honor on Monday, December 21st, 2009, in Jeddah, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Salman. HRH the President of the Commission, in his speech pointed to the importance of the cultural dimension of the Kingdom because it represents the religious, historical, political and economic values through the ages.

SCTA President reiterated that the recovery of national relics has become a national issue and an official priority, adding that the Commission so far has been able to recover more than 10,000 ancient pieces, and the efforts were underway to recover a number of other antiquities.

HRH had also pointed out that this blessed land is rich with a large number of important archaeological pieces, as well as it was the scene of many important events throughout the history. He stressed that the antiquities preservation is a national responsibility and the responsibility of each and every individual. "National antiquities today are protected and no one is allowed the destruction and sabotage of them. We respect the people's enthusiasm, and we seek guidance of the scholars in this pursuit," he said. HRH spoke of the importance of correcting misconceptions through education and development efforts by various associations, as well as giving full attention to the monuments, because they are an important part of history.

HRH Prince Sultan, in his speech said that the SCTA during its early stages of development was keen to take the views of all parties concerned and especially those who were opposed to the development process. "Our work in the SCTA is cooperative and solidarity, we used to invite and discuss with many people through the development plans for the antiquities and museums sector, and I personally talked with university administrators and other persons in order to know who oppose the development of relics in the Kingdom. We invited them and sit with for deliberations on the issues, as we were not closed for ourselves, hence to seek the opinion on all issues has been our goal. The antiquities do not belong to any one entity, but it belongs to all. We must all participate in its preservation," he added.

HRH explained that the Government has taken a tough stance toward the Islamic monuments' deformity which was confirmed by a Royal Decree on 20/04/2008. It also enjoys considerable support from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, HRH Crown Prince and HRH the Second Prime Minister, as well as follow-up of the SCTA, the thing that is expected to end the violations against the Islamic monuments. SCTA was also assigned to conduct the full survey on the Islamic sites in Mecca and Al Madina, in addition to stopping all forms of violations against the Islamic sties including mosques, as well as SCTA was mandated to work with the authorities concerned in this regard, especially for mosques of religious, spiritual, architectural and historical importance. On the other hand the government is working to reduce the incorrect practices by opening up such sites for visitors as well as providing appropriate evidence to inform visitors on the proper practices. It was proven that, antiquities sites if neglected will lead to incorrect practices.

HRH said that the SCTA deals with the issue of Islamic monuments in accordance with Islamic law as legislation this country is based on, which the leadership of the country is keen to apply. He stressed the keenness of the Commission to propogate correct information so that these sites will not be used as shrines.

HRH said, SCTA with respect to urban heritage, does not represent itself, but represents the government. It also does not work alone in this regard, but it works with the full participation by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Interior and other ministries. Therefore, maintaining the architectural heritage is not a concern of the SCTA alone, but it is a national issue. "The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince are the main supporters of this issue that inspires us to preserve the architectural heritage, taking into account, that urban heritage is a source of inspiration for our history and which has an important role in the unification of the Kingdom in addition to its role as an important economic as a source. There is no dividing line between the development of urban heritage and the preservation of monuments. So, we are proud of our programs in the Kingdom to have a support systems to preserve the architectural heritage, such as the regulation of new antiquities, which contains many articles on architectural heritage, as well as the Royal Decrees and the directives of the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs on the protection of heritage sites from abuse," said HRH.

The President of SCTA disclosed that the Commission in its first meeting wanted to establish an independent body for Culture and National Heritage and the antiquities to cooperate with SCTA in this respect. There was another option to give the full authority on the antiquities for the comprehensive redevelopment until the government reaches an appropriate decision in the future. "A decision was made on it and was annexed to SCTA, and then we were able to put a national plan. We are sparing no effort, and our vision towards it contains new dimensions. We have paid attention to this important point as seemed no one was concerned about it, that Saudi Arabia at the international level has four central positions. First as the important religious destination for Muslims all over the world as the place of the Two Holy Mosques, secondly, its economic importance, and the thirdly the growing political importance of the Kingdom, because this country throughout its history, since the era of its founder, all its political stances were indicating to its strong presence as a major player in the critical issues of the world, " HRH added.

“The fourth dimension which was not able to serve our country was, civilization and heritage which is unknown across the world. The world doesn’t know that Arabian Peninsula someday was running the economy of the world, and it was the land of civilizations and history, and a country of trading routes. Its politics and great events had changed the history’s course. If someone believes that this dimension doesn’t affect other areas, that mean he doesn’t know that such things are correlated to each other. Saudi Arabia in recent times has been invited to the G20 meeting, as well as it has been receiving invitations to participate in the relevant issues of developing human beings, because of its importance for the planning of the future of humanity," said HRH.

Our national heritage should be given special attention as a great deal of it was affected due to negligence, aggression for its ancientness. This dimension should be given sufficient attention at the present time. We are not an accidental country in the history; rather today in the Kingdom, wherever you look, your eyes will capture its antiquity, history and heritage. We are not a coincidence in the course of history, or our emergence into the future is a fluke. We were and we are still and will continue to be the leaders of humanity, as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said, "We must restore our leading role in shaping the future through the restoration of our role in the field of science and innovation.”

He added, "We look forward to the antiquities through a comprehensive vision, and there are many dimensions that do not have enough attention, one of which is urban heritage. For example, in Jeddah, all people know to what extreme this city is suffering with regard to its urban heritage in its historical areas. We have suffered immensely since the time of Prince Majed bin Abdul Aziz, so as not to lose the Jeddah’s historical areas. I am living and residing in Riyadh, but in tuth half my heart is left in Jeddah because I lived for a long time in Jeddah.”

HRH expressed his dissatisfaction with the successive events that the Jeddah’s historical area had passed through, where houses in the historical area were 900, and now last 300 of them remain, as most of them were burnt down a week ago. We notice a clear slowdown about what should have been already achieved in the city of Jeddah, although we have already submitted the site to register in the Architectural Heritage list. There is no doubt that we were able to register the first archeological site in Saudi Arabia in the International Urban Heritage List; it was not a surprise to have registered this site, the surprise is that Saudi Arabia has registered only one site so far. The registration of the sites will be done after many years of hard work, as happened with the steps of registration of Madain Saleh, which took us four years in order to submit its certificate of UNESCO last year. The file of Jeddah’s historical area has already been submitted to UNESCO last year, and the voting is expected after two years. HRH reiterated that the national heritage is not the sole concern to the SCTA, but is a source of concern for everyone in this country.

HRH explained that the Kingdom will witness this year, with special attention of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness Crown Prince (May God protect them), the first exhibition of the recovered relics in the Kingdom. He pointed out that, this is the first time in the history of the Kingdom to hold a national exhibition of a group of Saudi relics, which had been recovered over the past few years.

HRH added that “government’s directives, with the affirmation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, that SCTA to recover - and it’s doing so -thanks to God- all national relics that were smuggled outside the Kingdom by all possible means. We are working hard for recovering these relics which will be displayed in the forthcoming exhibition; in this respect we have also returned relics to a friendly country in the recent times”.

HRH added, "The issue of antiquity recovery had become a national issue, and an official issue. There are more than 10,000 pieces of relics which were recovered from outside the Kingdom, and work is underway to restore many others relics. HRH indicated that there is close cooperation in the field of tourism security with the Ministry of the Interior, as well as ongoing follow-up of the Interpol."

"Urban Heritage in the past was not allocated to a specific authority to take care, which prompted the government to pay great attention to it through the appointment of SCTA to oversee this. SCTA is working to preserve the history and heritage sites, as well as rehabilitation of them in line with the government's concern about the antiquities and architectural heritage, which are of historic importance and civilization dimensions. SCTA is persistently working to bring them to the citizen as well as making them aware of its importance," said HRH.

HRH pointed out that the Kingdom is witnessing a historic turning point in the field of heritage conservation in urban areas. In this regard, His Royal Highness referred to the establishment of the Jeddah center development company, saying "This site on which we have worked on and moving to work on it for many more years will witness a new phase for converting it into an important heritage of international standard. We are working on a number programs in the field of architectural heritage, where we face significant challenges, and we expect, given the badge assigned to the Commission from other ministries on urban heritage, to see many important projects to emerge."

HRH noted that the Commission started to implement many programs and plans for development and preservation of urban heritage as well as protection of it from neglect and destruction and invest in its cultural and economic potentials. SCTA started in cooperation with a number of government agencies to execute important projects in this area marked with deliberate planning and development, as well as contributed to the maintenance of the heritage of the towns and villages to shed light on their historical values as well as highlighting their residents’ role in building and unifying the country.

HRH noted that the SCTA was keen that its entire executive projects to escort with media; social and cultural programs to increase awareness among government officials and local communities towards the importance of maintaining the urban heritage, which is considered as an important economic resource. Besides, there is a comprehensive development of the historic Palaces in the era of Saudi State. 90% of which were repaired to be transformed in to the cultural centers, museums and event venues to recall the national positive spirit. As well as connecting citizens to the great history of their country, and introducing the youth to Join the glorious history of this great country, which was consolidated in spite of cultural and geographic differences.

HRH further stated that, SCTA is currently working on the project of Heritage Village with the limited budget allocated by the Credit Fund, which will provide funding to the Citizens for the restoration of sites in urban areas. Also funding of the first 3 or 4 of cooperative societies will be announced during the current month. "We are working on a range of museums that will be established in the historic palaces owned by the government," HRH said and added, “We have carried out 80% of the buildings restorations in villages and provinces, and turned them into lived sites that can hold various events.”

HRH on the other hand revealed that the Commission is currently working on an integrated program to establish a new company in collaboration with the private sector to develop heritage hotels. He added ,"The time has come for the Kingdom to start the journey of sustainable urban heritage. From this point, I invite the private sector to start developing a series of heritage hotels, in this regard that Dubai is the best example of the success of this type of hotel where the highest income has reached them.”

HRH indicated that, with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and on to a formal request from the French President Jacques Chirac, when the Commission has held the Louvre Gallery in Riyadh two years ago, a first exhibition of ancient treasure of Saudi Arabia will be opened in the Louvre Gallery in July during the peak visitor time. Noteworthy that Louvre will bear all exhibition’s expenses. He added that there are more than 8 applications of high-profile international exhibitions that like to host the kingdoms 'relics, as well as bear all the exhibitions expenses.

HRH indicated that, with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and on to a formal request from the French President Jacques Chirac, when the Commission has held the Louvre Gallery in Riyadh two years ago, a first exhibition of ancient treasure of Saudi Arabia will be opened in the Louvre Gallery in July during the peak visitor time. Noteworthy that Louvre will bear all exhibition’s expenses. He added that there are more than 8 applications of high-profile international exhibitions that like to host the kingdoms 'relics, as well as bear all the exhibitions expenses.

Prince Sultan has pointed out that, the Kingdom will host in April the next first Conference of the Architectural Heritage in the Islamic world. He added that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has immediately approved the conduction of the conference in the Kingdom. "This conference will not include scientific papers only, or ornate speeches alone, but will be full of live conferences, touching people’s concerns, in which all schools will participate in a full day called ”Heritage Day”. It will include school contests, and participation of universities, as well as dozens of international experts, while the national municipalities, will host the distinguished international counterparts.

HRH said that the Commission gives serious consideration to museums, as it currently holds a comprehensive reform and development of national museums. Work is under way to establish five new museums across the Kingdom. SCTA also is working on the final phase for the establishment of the seven major museums as well as working due to the government's guidelines for the establishment of two major museums one of them is a museum for Islamic and national heritage in Jeddah in Al Khozam Palace in addition to an international museum for Holy Qur’an will be established in Al Madina on international standards.

The President also stated that, SCTA so far has licensed more than 70 private museums in the Kingdom. Allocation of the financial support ted for private museums will begin soon from many banks that are cooperating with SCTA in this respect, such as Centennial Fund, National Bank, Saudi Credit and Saving Bank, Abdul Lateef Jameel Group Program, etc. SCTA is also working on a training program in the management of museums and sites heritage.

HRH indicated that, SCTA is about to sign an agreement with the Ministry of Education in order to create a major shift during the three years increasing awareness among students on the importance of antiquities and their preservation in order to realize their historical significance and cultural dimension. In addition to activating the role of museums and monuments in the minds of students so as to create a generation capable of adoption of the relics' issues as well as contribute to conservation efforts. That includes visiting urban heritage sites and museums so that it will not take 15 years to preach the antiquities’ preservation. HRH added that, we want to lift antiquities out of its dark abyss; we would like national monuments to be known and open to the people, and not just be a property of SCTA or any other authority. Bringing out the civilization dimension of antiquities to our sons and daughters in schools is a necessary issue and not just an entertainment.

HRH emphasized that, for many considerations, the first target of tourism in the Kingdom is the Saudi citizen, and most important reason for this is economic power that is lost abroad. Also the Saudi citizen is one of the top five nations who spend for tourism internationally. Yet, the Saudi tourist has very little information about his country. HRH added that, “Rehabilitation of our national heritage and antiquities is not an act of luxury, and must not be seen as such, rather it is a serious and important issue. This heritage will not be mentioned in the annals of history, if left uncovered or left to plundering. “Unfortunately we are still undeveloped nation in terms of preserving the architectural heritage and monuments,” HRH added.

Prince Sultan said, SCTA considers rural tourism as an important alternative to retreat that the agriculture sector is witnessing in the Kingdom. He stressed on the importance of rehabilitation of museums in rural areas and smaller villages, in order to revive and attract people to visit them instead being forced to visit these places.

HRH said, “The Architectural Heritage is spread all over the Kingdom as an evidence of an ancient civilization, as well as the broad participation of our ancestors in building our country, which makes these sites worth a lot of care, and perhaps most important is the site of Jeddah historical area, which I like to call "historic" and not as the ‘old area’. I hope that each and every one of us will call it a "historic", because such a description involves its position of highest value, and avoid calling it "old". This area is favorite to us, and such a description of it as "old" is linked to the meaning of contempt and derision.”

Abdul Maqsood Mohammad Khoja, in his speech on the occasion said, “The successive civilizations that our homeland has witnessed over the history date back to more than 5.000 years. This rich history deserves to be put under a specialized umbrella.” He said, “Antiquities in the Kingdom continues to fight since a long times to return to its deserved position, equivalent to its position in the civilized world. Although we are seeing positive progress in this journey, but to keep track of time in the field of modern science and tourism and antiquities needs more efforts. It's nice to see the tourist groups tour around our country to visit our antiquities as often happens in other countries. This is an important tributary, bearing in mind that there are many countries, exploiting tourism, yet are least developed in the tourism potentials, compared with our rich heritage as well as religious connotations, and verdant civilization."