The Islamic world has a very rich heritage of traditional arts and handicrafts in the fields of architecture, calligraphy, arabesque, geometric designing, book binding, miniature and ornamentation, carpets, Al-Sadu and kilim, Mushrabiyyah, stucco colored glass, traditional costume and other master craft items.  The creative genius of Muslim artisans continues to refine and perfect a set of standard skills, techniques and compositions which were handed to them from earlier generations who had their impact far beyond the places of their origin.  However, the modern world has yet to reach a real understanding of these arts; this is due partly to its preoccupation with the materialistic development, and partly to our own neglect in projecting the heritage.  Although there are some prompts to restore old styles and designs and to organize various specialized exhibitions, such few sporadic attempts have had little impact.  There is thus an urgency for initiating an international activity in order to address the issue and establish a level of worldwide understanding and drawing attention towards craftspeople and their fine works in order to promote, encourage and respect them as they are a basic factor in conserving the Islamic cultural heritage and assure its sustainability.

Emphasizing the importance of highlighting this heritage, the Supreme Commission of Tourism in Saudi Arabia and the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), Istanbul are jointly organizing the first International Congress on Tourism and Traditional Handicrafts under the patronage of HRH Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.  The Congress will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 16-23 Shawal 1427H corresponding to 7-14 November 2006.  The Congress will be accompanied with various activities such as a special exhibition with stands displaying the traditional crafts of each Islamic country. These stands will form a craft village of the Muslim world that will display not only the craft items but artisans as at work with the tools and techniques used for producing those masterpieces.  Each country will send two master artisans to participate in this exhibition.  The accompanying activities will also include live performances by artisans of the Muslim world along with a variety of other activities such as:

Provided Activities:

*    Exhibition of masterpieces of traditional crafts from all over the Islamic World,

*    Exhibition of publications, albums and photos of traditional handicrafts of the Muslim world,

*    A traditional handicraft bazaar of the participating countries accompanied by live performance of artisans as at work,

*    International Award for the craft innovators in the Muslim world.

This Congress is the first of its kind; it will discuss tourism, cultural, and heritage aspects.  It will also discuss the ways and means for ensuring a better employment of the traditional handicrafts sector in the tourism field, and explore the potential revenues that can be obtained by connecting the tourism sector to the traditional heritage and handicrafts.  Means for protecting and promoting handicrafts through available channels will also be discussed.

The idea of the Congress partially focuses on the possibility of restoring some heritage sites and utilizing them as specialized handicraft villages, to provide artisans with suitable display areas.  This is to connect tourism with handicrafts by giving life to the architectural monuments through the artisans who will produce and display their traditional masterpieces to the tourist and the local customer.  Such a progress will ensure a continuation of a developing movement and benefit different sectors of the community.

This is in addition to studying some experiences of certain countries which proved to be successful in restoring and utilizing heritage buildings, and were capable of attracting tourists and always listed on the agenda of the tourist visits.

The Congress will discuss all issues related to the tourism and handicrafts sectors, the present state of traditional handicrafts in the Islamic World, various traditional handicraftsأ¢â‚¬â„¢ styles, designs, raw materials, techniques, and means of development.  The Congress will also discuss the shortage of qualified artisans and the impact of Islamic traditional designs on European art.

Experts in traditional handicrafts, tourism, and marketing will be invited to the Congress; in addition to concerned research specialists, centers and organizations from inside and outside the Muslim world.   They will be invited to discuss the existing status of traditional handicrafts and tourism, examine the methods applied in the related countries, and discuss future objectives to be achieved within the coming decade.

The Congress will provide a unique opportunity for policy makers, planners, officials working in the sector and experts of tourism and handicrafts to meet and exchange experiences and relevant points of views.  They will have the chance to discuss the obstacles facing such approach in the Islamic world, in an effort to set a stable practical policy to develop traditional handicrafts sector due to its importance in terms of culture, economy, tourism, and heritage.