International Conference on Protecting the Cultural Heritage of the Muslim World

This book contains the papers that were presented at the International Conference on “Protecting Cultural Heritage of the Muslim World” which was coordinated by ircica in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the OIC and ISESCO (Rabat) in İstanbul, on 1-2 November 2017. The conference brought together specialists working in the area of heritage preservation and/or in heritage projects in countries and with international organizations. Safeguarding of heritage sites and monuments at all times, conserving and reconstructing heritage properties affected by war, and boosting international collaboration in support of restoration and preservation, were discussed at length under all their aspects relating to the Muslim world. Exchange of information and experiences was a major feature of the conference. The working sessions addressed the following themes, among others: national policies and international instruments aiming to protect and promote Islamic cultural heritage – best practices, assessment of outcomes, ways of improvement; education for heritage preservation; role of museums in the preservation of cultural heritage; management of cultural heritage preservation – a possible strategy to protect and promote cultural heritage and its implementation mechanisms; protection of cultural heritage in Muslim countries in situations of conflict at the request of their governments; advancement of cooperative action for the protection of cultural heritage in al-Quds and Palestine; rebuilding cultural heritage in zones of war and conflict. 14 presentations in English and 10 in Arabic are brought together in the book. The İstanbul Declaration, which consists of an elaborate set of recommendations adopted by the conference, is also included.