SCTA President: "Historical Jeddah Festival" marks an important phase in the State s interest in the heritage of the Kingdom
Almasalla Arab Travel Portal News – His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, President of SCTA, in a recent statement stressed the importance of Jeddah Historical Area Festival which is due to be launched next Thursday, 16th January, describing it as a transitional point of an important phase and a turning point for the State s interest in the care of the national heritage.
HRH termed it as a testament to the great interest that Jeddah municipality had enjoyed because of its history and significant contributions of its glorious people in the building of the Kingdom, especially that this festival is featuring Jeddah’s authentic values, which were genuine components of Jeddah Historical Area in the past and have contributed to its durability through the time.
"This festival will create a significant jump in the efforts of the owners of the historical area and the private sector after the release of momentous decisions by the state, in addition to the ongoing government projects in the region, which is expected to contribute to the registration file of the Historical Area in the World Heritage List of UNESCO in 2014," HRH added.
The President of SCTA in his statement on this occasion further stated that, Jeddah historically area has always enjoyed the attention of the State ever since it was visited by late King, King Abdul Aziz Al Saud in 1925, and he took one of its houses as a dwelling place for 10 years, and a place near Al Hanafi Mosque as a prayer place and Diwan.
State’s gracious attention towards Jeddah Historical Area has continued in the reigns of former King Saud and King Faisal, during which service networks were laid out and the necessary public facilities were established, in addition to issuing the antiquities regulation in 1972 which guaranteed the later preservation of Jeddah Historical Area. During the reigns of King Khalid and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahad bin Abdul Aziz, the Historical area saw the launch of a number of initiatives including the issuance of the "Protection regulation" which created a defense line in light of the rapid urban expansion.
The Historical Area has also enjoyed the support of late HRH Prince Majed bin Abdul Aziz, former Governor of Makkah province who launched a major project for the development of the Historical Area.
In the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, the Historical Area enjoyed support of HRH Prince Abdul Majed bin Abdul Aziz as his efforts had been crowned by the project of King Abdul Aziz for Preservation of the Historical Area, which was announced in 2003.
HRH President of SCTA in his statement also highlighted the efforts of the State for preservation and development of Jeddah Historical Area through issuing a set of resolutions including its approval for registration of the Historical Area in UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and allocating necessary funds for the restoration projects in the Area.
HRH President of SCTA, on the other hand, referred to the great attention and support paid by HRH Prince Khalid Al Faisal, Governor of Makkah and former Head of Supreme Committee of Jeddah Historical Area Development, to all activities and programs related to the Historical Area.
HRH expressed his appreciation to the efforts of HRH Prince Mesh’al bin Majed, the Mayor of Jeddah municipality and Head of the Organizing Committee of the Festival for his persistent follow up to the works and efforts related to the Historical Area.
HRH also extended his special thanks to His Excellency, the Secretary General of Jeddah municipality and his staff who have made great efforts within the project of development of the Historical Jeddah and in the organization of its heritage festival.
HRH further stated that, the time of negligence has come to an end in Jeddah Historical Area. He stressed the importance of cooperation of all relevant authorities to bring about the goals of the developmental projects which will contribute to bringing to life the national heritage and present it as a major tourist and cultural attraction element in the Jeddah city.
HRH President of SCTA at the end of his statement referred to the Historical Area Festival as one of the distinguished festivals in terms of its idea and events. He commended the Historical Area people and the owners and praised their interaction with the festival and festival’s preparations which is planed to be turned into an annual festival through which SCTA in collaboration with the Jeddah municipality, seeks to put it on the shortlist of the important and major tourism events in the Kingdom.
