Saudi Arabia Cooperates with Hawass to Unearth its Monuments

By: Ali Abu-Dashish

CAIRO, Dec. 11 (SEE)- Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Chairman of the National Commission for Tourism and National Heritage in Saudi Arabia, has announced the establishment of 33 museums at a cost of 5 billion riyals, within the heritage project of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in addition to cooperation with Former Minister of Antiquities Dr. Zahi Hawass to kick start unleashing the Kingdom’s monuments.

This came during the meeting of the Arab Ministers of Tourism at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina on Tuesday in the presence of Dr. Inas Abdel Dayem, Minister of Culture and Dr. Rania El-Mashat, Minister of Tourism. 

Prince Sultan pointed out that archeology is one of the most important tourism sectors in the world. In addition, developed countries have become interested in engaging cultural heritage to be part of economic growth.

“Alexandria is the homeland of culture, civilization and history, and that the convening of the conference inside the walls of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina shows that civilization and culture are the future of peoples of the world,” added Prince Sultan.

Attendees were received by Dr. Mustafa El-Feqi, Library Director, in the presence of Ahmed Aboul Gheit, General Seceretary of the Arab League, Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, and a number of ministers of tourism and culture in the Arab countries.