The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has formalized a strategic partnership with the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS), ushering in a shared dedication to advancing and preserving the archaeology, cultural heritage, and Islamic history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.The signing was attended by RCU’s Executive Director of Archaeology, Conservation and Collections, Dr Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani and KFCRIS’ Assistant Secretary-General Ibrahim Al-Deghaither, with the esteemed presence of RCU CEO Amr AlMadani and the KFCRIS Secretary-General, HRH Princess Maha AlFaisal.The partnership envisions the dynamic sharing of resources, including the loaning of culturally significant artifacts for pivotal exhibitions and providing advanced research tools and digital archives. It aims to create a robust conduit for scholarly exchange to deepen the understanding of AlUla’s rich historical narratives and facilitate access to a wealth of knowledge, thereby enhancing academic and cultural pursuits across the kingdom.
The agreement also includes initiating capacity building programs that will foster the exchange of expertise in documentation, research, and the preservation of museum collections, promoting professional growth in heritage conservation.Integrating KFCRIS’s comprehensive archaeological collections into the partnership, including Islamic artifacts, manuscripts, personal items from King Faisal’s collection, and a unique array of coins, will further enhance the scope of this initiative.KFCRIS also brings to the table its distinguished database, the oldest in the kingdom, representing a treasure trove for researchers and historians alike.Furthermore, RCU will feature select pieces borrowed from KFCRIS in two specially curated exhibitions, promising to bring the narrative of AlUla’s ancient trade and historical information about AlUla.The collaboration, RCU said, aligns with its aspirations to position AlUla as a pre-eminent centre of knowledge and KFCRIS’s storied tradition as a custodian of regional history. It aims at enhancing research capabilities, conservation methodologies, and public engagement with the kingdom’s heritage, propelling AlUla onto the world stage as a hub of cultural diplomacy and scholarly pursuit.The exchange of knowledge and expertise between RCU and KFCRIS is a strategic move towards achieving Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 cultural goals, aiming to fortify the country’s standing as a guardian of heritage, a statement said.
Reflecting on the significance of this partnership, Dr Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani said: “Joining forces with KFCRIS epitomizes our dedication to safeguarding and celebrating our cultural heritage. This is more than a partnership; it’s a promise to future generations that we will preserve the narratives that have shaped our civilisation.
“By sharing knowledge and resources, we are laying the groundwork for AlUla to emerge as a cultural lighthouse, illuminating the importance of heritage conservation across borders.”
