Riyadh, September 27, 2023, Assistant Minister of Culture Rakan bin Ibrahim Al-Touq recently stood in for Saudi Arabia's Minister of Culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, at the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World. This significant event, which took place in Qatar from September 25 to 26, was organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and hosted by the Qatari Ministry of Culture. The overarching theme of the conference was "Renewing Cultural Work in the Islamic World."
The conference brought together ministers of culture, ICESCO members from Islamic nations, and representatives of regional and international organizations deeply invested in cultural affairs. In his address, Assistant Minister Al-Touq conveyed the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to bolstering the Islamic cultural sector, preserving its prominent position on the global cultural stage, and contributing to the discourse surrounding the fundamental aspects of the Islamic world.
He emphasized that the essence of the Islamic world transcends mere cultural and enlightening values. It encompasses its rich history, civilization, and its substantial contribution to humanity's heritage, as well as its academic and economic allure. The initiatives and programs announced by Saudi Arabia underscore the dedication of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to support endeavors that benefit the Islamic world and safeguard its cultural achievements.
During the conference, Al-Touq introduced the Culture Index in the Islamic World project, a collaborative effort with ICESCO. This project aims to activate a memorandum of understanding signed by the Ministry of Culture and ICESCO during the 23rd session of the Conference of Arab Culture Ministers. The Culture Index in the Islamic World will monitor and document the cultural landscape's evolution and achievements, enhancing it through a set of cultural indicators organized into four primary pillars: culture for economic development, culture for environmental sustainability, culture for social progress, and culture for diversity and openness.
Additionally, Al-Touq unveiled the Paths of Hajj program, a cultural initiative that links the Hajj routes from various parts of the Muslim world to and from the Two Holy Mosques through historical mosques. This program's objective is to compile comprehensive files and databases to identify and classify mosques, heritage sites, and historical locations along the Hajj routes. It will support conservation efforts and the protection of these sites while bolstering sectors related to pilgrimage activities.
Assistant Minister Al-Touq's participation in the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving, promoting, and enriching the cultural heritage of the Islamic world, fostering an environment of cultural growth, and celebrating its invaluable contributions to global civilization.
