Editorial

New frontiers for tourism and peace

A well known writer wrote at the beginning of the 20th century that we have discovered all corners of the world; what is left now is to work out the details. A hundred years later, I think his judgement is still valid. Almost every inch of the globe has been mapped and photographed. We now have satellites that are studying the geological layers of the earth. We have also been travelling to outer space reaching the furthest frontiers. But what is really left now is finding out not the geographical details but the human dimension. We really need to get to know each other and use travel as a means of doing so. We still have cultural and economic divisions. There are great misunderstanding and injustices around the globe giving rise to violent actions. What humanity should be working towards is one peaceful world based on justice and high ethical values. People from rich, Western countries, are still going on holiday to places characterised by poverty and injustices and they come home praising these destinations because they had good holidays on the beaches under the shining sun. Others come to Western countries,(2)

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Contents

In this Issue

Tourism Prospects

Tourism and the constitution

Through our participation in international travel and tourism exhibitions, and from our personal experience of travel in most Arab and European countries during the past 58 years, we have developed a vision of an enlightened form of tourism, which guarantees future benefits for the countries visited. Tourism means freedom, democracy, and industrial, economic and social development for a country and its people. It is also a factor in resolving differences between nations and eliminating all forms of extremism. God said: "Ô men! We created you of a male and a female, and We made you nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. "(Al-Hujurat/13). The development of the constitution usually relates to aspects of general policy, such as the separation of and limits of power and the rights of the individual but does not approach the scientific(6)

International Tourism

fair of Islamic countries

well as tourism boards and the private sector, will participate in the event which aims at presenting Islamic countries as one of the oldest and largest tourist destinations, with attractions from all religions and centuries. The Islamic World covers a massive geographical area with diverse environments, cultures and civilisations. The fair also aims at encouraging inter-Islamic tourism and fostering the growth and development of local economies. Islamic Tourism is the media partner of the fair; it was, and continues to be a pioneer in publicising the Islamic World and its heritage, tourist attractions and religious sites through in-depth features and analysis. The magazine is published in four languages: Arabic, English, French and Spanish and will soon be published in German. It also has a website in all four languages, which is updated weekly.(8)

Ronda in Spain

The land of legends, bandits and museums

RONDA, Spain - DNA scientists have recently announced that the bones in the massive Seville cathedral are, in fact, just as Sevillians have claimed all along, those of Christopher Columbus. Allegedly. There are a few other countries, the most vocal being Cuba and the Dominican Republic, who remain unconvinced, claiming they have the remains of the famed explorer. So poor soul Columbus must have either died several times or his skeleton is scattered here… and there…and there. Throughout the southern region of Andalusia, several other "glamour cities" contain the burial sites of historical and(10-14)

Iraq

Continuing state of war threatens cradle of civilizations

Iraq is a country of firsts: the earliest villages and cities, writing, poetry, epic literature, temples, codified religion, armies, warfare, world economy and empire. Tragically it is also the first entire country to be designated an 'endangered site' by the World Monuments Fund (WMF). "Decades of political isolation, a protracted war with Iran and, more recently, the conflict begun in 2003 have put Iraq's extraordinary heritage at grave risk", said WMF President, Bonnie Burnham. "Widespread looting, military occupation, artillery fire, vandalism and other acts of violence are devastating Iraq. By focusing attention on imperiled sites, the WMF helps bring local communities,(16-18)

Madain Salih

Open air museum narrates the history of acient peoples

The term Al-Hajir or Al-Hajr, is the name of a city mentioned by Yakout Al-Hamaoui, in his dictionary. It means "quarantine" in Arabic. It can also mean 'reason' or 'forbidden'. Al-Hajr, designates the houses of Thamoud in Al- Qora valley, between Madina and Sham (Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon). Al-Hajr was known as Madain Salih, Salih village or Adal. Location Al-Hajr is 22 km to the northeast of Al-Ala. It is a famous historical site because of its location on the former trade route joining the south of the Arabian Peninsula and Bilade Al- Sham. Its peoples included the Thamoud, who, according to the Koran, rejected the message of Prophet Salih and killed the camel God sent them(20-22)

A tour of Yemen's historical cities

The National Institute of Hotels and Tourism in Sana’a invited Islamic Tourism to take part in a one week scientific trip to survey the country’s tourist attractions. The journey was organized by a flourishing travel agency, which provided us with a land cruiser. Thirty training and hotel specialists and technical and administrative staff from the National Institute of Hotels and Tourism, went on the grand tour, which was financed by the European Union largely responsible for the establishment of this distinguished institute.(24-28)

International Tourism

versus Terrorism

International tourism is an industry that lives on personal contacts and has a message: to enable and facilitate a face-to-face intercultural dialogue. A successful tourism industry needs political stability, peace, security, and the potential for dialogue between different groups of people without mental or physical restrictions. Terrorism against tourists and in tourist destinations aims, among other things, to prevent intercultural contacts and dialogue. It seeks to hinder a possible, better and deeper understanding of the "others". Terrorism against tourists in general is either a politically or a culturally motivated act.(30-32)

Ouarzazate

Star studded celestial display by night ...

The Moroccan National Tourist Office is inviting night owls to view a star-studded celestial display. Abdelghani Ragala, the tourist office’s Canadian director, says those visiting southern Morocco will be certain to see stars appear in droves after the sun sets in a part of the world that has sparsely populated expanses that see little of the artificial light that makes constellations hard to spot in urban environments. "There are a million stars," he says. "It’s the most beautiful spectacle of light." But much of the region’s appeal is also firmly rooted on the ground. Among southern Morocco destinations is Ouarzazate, found some 220 kilometres from better-known Marrakech, the cornerstone of interior Morocco’s tourist trade(34)

Dana

Astronomy night with Jupiter

was invited to visit Dana nature reserve in south Jordan. The Barriya-Jordan, of the Royal Association for the Protection of Nature, in collaboration with the Jordanian Astronomy Society arranged an evening with Jupiter. For just a Euro, I took the bus to the town of Al-Tafilah. It is the same road that is taken by pilgrims to Mecca and banners inform travellers that a sincere Hajj has its reward in paradise". After two hours we arrived at Al-Tafilah, then travelled to the reserve of Dana, where we saw the tomb of a companion of the Prophet, Al-Hareth Ben Umair Al-Azdi, who was his messenger. After reading sourate Al-Fatiha we continued towards Arromanah camp-site in the reserve of Dana.(36)

Antalya

Sun, sea and the rest is history

Popular with Germans and Russians the Turkish Mediterranean coast between Fethiye and Alanya now increasingly attracts UK holiday makers. In the bustle of Antalya's commercial city, is a compact maze of narrow streets in the old walled area of Kaleici rising steeply from an attractive harbour. Boat trips start at Ł5 for two hours. You can swim from the rocks or shingle beach a couple of miles from the centre, but if sandy beaches are your first priority then Side or Alanya should be considered. For me the prime attractions of Antalya are the breath taking sweep of the Lycian mountains soaring 10,000 feet, and Kaleici, where ancient Ottoman buildings with overhanging balconies have been converted to smart comfortable hotels, restaurants and shops, complementing parks, mosques and the remains of a triple arch commemorating a visit by the Emperor Hadrian in AD 130. The Archaeological Museum, close to the(38)

Brunei

New exciting diving destination

The island of Borneo is fast becoming one of the world’s "must dive" destinations, due to its location in what can be described as the "epicenter" of marine bio-diversity. Although the more popular diving spots in Borneo are in the string of islands along Borneo’s east coast off Malaysian Sabah and Indonesian Kalimantan in the Sulu and Celebes seas, the diving community is now turning its sights towards the northern shores of Borneo along the South China Sea. Brunei Darussalam, the oil rich Sultanate better known for its pristine rainforests and traditional Malay culture, is now keen to position itself alongside its better known neighbors to offer the diving community new and exciting waters to dive. The same way that Brunei’s rainforests are left in a pristine state due to the country’s wealth and lack of need to exploit natural resources other than oil and gas, Brunei’s(40)

Beijing International

Tourism Exhibition

A luxurious reception was held in Beijing’s Palace of Congresses, in honor of the ministers and secretaries of tourism, and the exhibitors and participants in the Beijing International Tourism Exhibition, 2005. We feasted on the local cuisine and enjoyed folkloric dances and popular artistic performances, all excellent examples of the rich Chinese culture. The organization could not be faulted and illustrated the eagerness of the organizers to ensure the fair was a success. The inauguration took place on June 22nd, under the flags of the participating countries, music and the release of colorful balloons.(42-44)

Qingdao International tourism exhibition 2005

Qingdao, one of China's most famous tourist destinations, is on the coast facing both Korea and Japan. Its tourist facilities include hotels and shopping and leisure centres. The local inhabitants are well off and have played a vital role in the general orientation aimed at making China the world's top tourist destination. Qingdao is not shy about promoting itself. The Qingdao International Tourism Exhibition, held between 16th - 18th June at the International Exhibition Center, revealed the region's secrets and attractions. This exhibition was more local than(46)

Pyramids

Treasures and Traffic

From my Hilton Hotel room I looked at the Egyptian Museum in Taharir Square, Cairo; but crossing the road appeared hazardous, and a car taking three times as long was relatively safer! A good place to start sightseeing, the museum sets the historical scene with a wealth of Pharaonic, Islamic and Byzantine treasures. The Hall of Mummies is a realistic display of the achievement of 3,000 years or more of preservation of once great kings. Even teeth and hair are recognisable. Most popular the Tutankhamun corridor and galleries show to full advantage the 1,700 items found by Howard Carter in the young King's tomb. Marvel at the way it all fitted together from the gold plated outer case the size of a garage to the solid gold coffin, fabulous mask, jewelled throne and much, much more. I have always been thrilled by the story but to actually see the seemingly endless collection in pristine condition was the highlight of my visit.(48-50)

Ramadan with an Algerian taste

All night festivities in houses...

Moslems have unique ways of celebrating the month of Ramadan. Government officials are eager to publicise their celebrations and encourage the media to tell the world about the festivities. This is what Abdul-Ali Tayr, General Manager of the National Office of Algerian Tourism, did when he strongly insisted that a delegation from Islamic Tourism visit his country in Ramadan so we could see how the Algerian people celebrate this holy month. The choice of timing was excellent. My companion, Yassa Abdul-Nasser and I, journalists who were observing the fast, started our day before six in the morning and finished after midnight. Our aim was to visit six Algerian Wilayas (districts) very distant from each other in one week. The highlight of the tour were two Iftars (sumptuous meals at the end of the fast ) with Algerian families in Biskra and Tlemcen.(54-56)

Iraqi Kurdistan

The newest frontier in cultural tourism

Kurdistan Iraq or Iraqi Kurdistan or plain Kurdistan - whatever you call it, its a political statement couched in historical, geographical terms, and in past and future claims for influence and autonomy. In this area it is not easy to stand aside from politics past and present: the recent history of repression and violence is too raw to be ignored by any visitor. Tourists must be sensitive to the suffering of the Kurds – in the area many people stand on a mountain of grief - and behave circumspectly. I have visited Mosul, Erbil and much of Iraq but as a first time visitor to this region, on a mission to research the possibilities for the development of tourism, I was a little uncertain about what to expect.. Under the Saddam regime it was not encouraged to explore this area in its entirety.(58-68)

Al-Moustansiriya

The oldest Arab-Islamic university

Iraq is a country with a rich, unique Islamic heritage. During the time of the Abbasids, it ruled the Islamic world and was in the forefront of culture and learning. . Al-Moustansiriya School is part of this proud heritage. The school clearly illustrates the interest of the Abbasid caliphs in science and scholarship. Situated to the east of the Tigris, in the heart of Baghdad, Al Moustansiriya, is an exemplary Arab-Islamic university. In the 7th century Hegira (13th(70-74)

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Saudi Arabia

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Brunei