An European expert on Islamic Andalucian history has commended the UAE diligent efforts to preserve, maintain and develop its indigenous heritage and its generous support for international tangible and intangible human cultural heritage organisations.
‘The UAE lends its national heritage special care and priority as an integral ingredient of its past and future inspired by the famous word of the late founding father Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan ‘ Whoever has no past, has neither present nor future’, Ada Romero Sanchez, an expert on Arabic, Islamic and Semitic studies and Andalusian history at the University of Granada, said in an interview with WAM.
Sanchez, a former Spanish history and manuscripts at Dar Al Hekma College, Jeddah, said the UAE doesn’t only safeguard and maintain its local heritage but is also offering substantial, sustained financial contributions to the international organisations and universities specialising in heritage.
She hailed H. H. Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council member and Ruler of Sharjah, as one of rare Arab rulers who have passionate interest in world heritage and pledged generous assistance which contributed in carrying out the first phase of a Thagra major heritage initiative in Granada. Shaikh Sultan also built a mosque in Garnada, the first worshiping house to be build in the historic city since the 16th century.
Sanchez gave last week a lecture at Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Ramadan culturtal Majlis on the priceless Islamic manuscripts in the legacy of al-Andalus.
She termed the idea of hosting lectures at the Majlis of His Highness Gen. Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, contributes in heightening awareness of an array of major issues the human communities are facing today.
According to her, the Majlis serves as an ideal platform for exchange of ideas on these topics.