Media Center

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the Sharjah Institute for Heritage inaugurated the activities of the Second Heritage Conference on Wednesday morning under the theme “Folk Heritage through the Eyes of Others.” The opening took place at the Arab Heritage Center of the Institute at University City in Sharjah, in the presence of Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam, President of the Institute and the Conference, Abu Bakr Al-Kindi, Director of the Institute, along with a distinguished group of researchers, experts, and academics from inside and outside the UAE, representing more than 20 Arab and foreign countries.

The two-day conference features over 40 scholarly contributions from experts and academics, discussing manifestations of folk heritage as seen by others, through research papers, panel discussions, and specialized workshops.

In his opening speech, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam said:
“We are inaugurating the second edition of this conference under the theme ‘Folk Heritage through the Eyes of Others’. This title places on us the responsibility of reflecting on how our heritage has been perceived by others over the centuries, whether through the writings of travelers, studies by orientalists, or foreign documents.”

He added:
“The conference does not aim merely to showcase these perspectives, but to deconstruct, analyze, and reread them from a critical scholarly viewpoint—questioning and balancing what was fair and what was neglected, while exploring the contexts in which such mental images were created.”

Al-Musallam stressed that folk heritage forms a bridge for human dialogue and a platform for cultural intersections:
“Heritage is not a static past; it is alive in the consciousness of peoples and is a source for deeper understanding of both self and the other. Through this event, we present our folk heritage as a subject of reflection, interaction, and openness.”

He expressed his appreciation for the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, saying:
“His Highness’s sponsorship of this conference reflects a firm belief in the importance of safeguarding collective memory, promoting cultural dialogue with the world, and affirming Sharjah’s status as an international reference for heritage and cultural diversity.”

He continued:
“Under His Highness’s leadership, Sharjah has given great importance to translation as a civilizational and intellectual bridge, and as a platform for cultural exchange among peoples. Today, we revisit how our folk heritage has been treated in orientalist writings, academic studies, and artistic works, in order to understand how the image of Arab heritage was formed in the consciousness of others, and to present it anew with renewed scholarly awareness that reinforces the standing of our culture globally.”

Continuous Efforts

Abu Bakr Al-Kindi emphasized that organizing the conference is part of the Institute’s ongoing efforts to enhance cultural and intellectual interaction around Arab folk heritage, highlight its presence in the awareness of others, and develop tools for its safeguarding and documentation. He said:
“The conference reflects the Institute’s commitment to supporting scientific research and international cultural partnerships that contribute to protecting heritage and passing it on to future generations, while reaffirming Sharjah’s role as a global platform for dialogue and understanding among different cultures.”

Responsibility

Dr. Saif Al-Badwawi, the Conference’s Person of Honor for this year, affirmed that preserving heritage is a fundamental pillar of national identity. He said:
“Heritage strengthens our belonging to the homeland and inspires us to work, give, and contribute. It is not just a past to be narrated, but lessons and insights that illuminate our path to the future.”

He addressed young people, saying:
“They must realize that by serving heritage, they are serving the homeland in the broadest sense. Abandoning roots weakens identity and dissipates values.”

Directions and Goals

Dr. Mouni Bounaama, Director of the Content and Publishing Department at the Institute and Coordinator of the Conference, said:
“This conference clearly reflects the Institute’s orientation towards making a meaningful impact at both the scholarly and heritage levels, by addressing topics that uncover the cultural commonalities shared by the world’s heritage.”

He added:
“The new edition sheds light on the image of the East in the Western mirror, through an in-depth reading of Western travel writings and the perceptions and judgments they contain, with the aim of fostering dialogue and understanding with the other—not through imposition, but through cultural bridges.”

He stressed that the conference contributes to reinforcing Sharjah’s role as a knowledge hub for intercultural dialogue, and reflects a renewed awareness of the importance of cultural foresight in building relations among peoples. It serves as an intellectual platform for exploring representations of identity in Western consciousness and an opportunity to correct stereotypes with precise scholarly approaches.

Exhibition

Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam, accompanied by Abu Bakr Al-Kindi, inaugurated the exhibition held alongside the conference under the theme “Our Heritage through Their Eyes.” The exhibition was opened at the Arab Heritage Center at University City in Sharjah.

The tour began with the first section, “The Emirates in Western Memory,” where guests viewed early Western writings about the coast (the present-day United Arab Emirates) spanning five centuries, including material connected to the history and heritage of the state in all its elements.

This section features the coast in Western maps and records, eyewitness accounts of visitors, Emirati heritage in travel books, aspects of traditional life, adornment and dress, traditional crafts, camel races, falconry, palm trees, heritage houses, diseases and epidemics, irrigation channels, fishing, pearl diving, shipbuilding, and portraits from the Emirates reflecting aspects of life in earlier times.

In the second section, “The Arabian Gulf through Foreign Eyes,” Al-Musallam and attendees explored visual material including maps, images of cities and ports, landmarks, remnants, and scenes from past centuries.

The tour concluded with the third section, “The Charm of the East through Western Eyes,” where visitors explored paintings by travelers and orientalists depicting the Arab world, highlighting different aspects of Arab societies over centuries.

The exhibition library includes the “Travelogues of Western Travelers” and their abundant sources, which formed rich scientific resources documenting features of Eastern life, its knowledge, treasures, and symbols.