Sharjah Institute for Heritage hosts the scientific meeting of 'Traditional Arab Architecture'
The Sharjah Institute for Heritage organized on Wednesday the coordination meeting for the heads of scientific teams working on the Encyclopedia of Traditional Architecture in the Arab World. The meeting brought together a distinguished group of experts and academics from over 20 Arab countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Mauritania, Sudan, and others.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and Head of the Encyclopedia’s Supreme Scientific Committee. Also participating were Dr. Zineb Kandouz Gherbal, the encyclopedia coordinator, and Abubakr Al-Kindi, Director of the Institute. The meeting was moderated by Dr. Muna Bounama, Director of the Content and Publishing Department at the Institute.
The agenda of the first day included an introduction to the encyclopedia and its content, the working mechanisms, and the timeline for completion. It also featured a review of the current stage of the project and the launch of the first volume, which covers the methodological and descriptive introduction. The experts also discussed current challenges and the most effective ways to overcome them.
Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam stated:
"This meeting represents a fundamental step in the journey of joint Arab work. The Encyclopedia of Traditional Architecture in the Arab World is one of the pioneering Arab projects adopted by the Institute, aiming to preserve architectural heritage and safeguard the memory of place. Traditional architecture is not just buildings — it is a reflection of our identity and culture. Our efforts today reaffirm our commitment to documenting this legacy for future generations."
He added:
"The holding of this meeting with the participation of an elite group of experts and specialists reflects our keenness to enhance scientific cooperation in the field of architectural heritage and highlight Sharjah’s role as a hub for culture and knowledge, and a platform for preserving Arab identity."
He also praised the valuable scientific work carried out by the scientific committee and the research teams composed of scholars and academics from across the Arab world.
Abubakr Al-Kindi affirmed that the meeting reflects Sharjah’s position as a scientific and cultural center, contributes to documenting joint research efforts, and strengthens the role of experts in showcasing the architectural identity of the Arab nation.
The second day of the meeting includes three discussion sessions:
The first covers aspects of traditional architecture in the UAE and the Arabian Gulf.
The second reviews architectural heritage in the Levant.
The third discusses patterns of traditional architecture in North Africa.
The Encyclopedia of Traditional Architecture in the Arab World is considered a memory archive for the preservation of Arab architectural heritage. It is a significant initiative by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage aimed at documenting Arab architectural heritage, preserving its terminology, vocabulary, elements, and components from loss and extinction — especially in a time when the memory of the past is beginning to fade in many parts of the world.
The scientific teams of the encyclopedia include a select group of experts and academics specializing in architectural heritage.