Culture Minister Participates in Rebuilding Palestine’s Cultural Sector Conference
Madrid
The Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication, and Relations with Parliament, and Government Spokesperson participated in the international ministerial conference held in the Spanish capital, Madrid, to address the protection and recovery of the Palestinian cultural sector.
In his speech, the Minister emphasized that protecting and preserving Palestinian heritage is a shared moral and humanitarian responsibility, as it is an integral part of global heritage. He called for intensifying international efforts to preserve the cultural memory of the Palestinian people.
He added that the meeting goes beyond discussing a cultural issue specific to a particular people; rather, it embodies the defense of the right of all peoples to preserve their cultural memory and protect their heritage as an integral part of our collective human legacy.
He explained that holding the conference now underscores that culture represents the last line of defense for the dignity of peoples, and that an attack on heritage is an attack on humanity itself and on its right to preserve its identity and history.
He reviewed Mauritania’s efforts in heritage preservation, which receives special attention from His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani. The President has made the protection of cultural identity and the safeguarding of historical legacies a strategic priority, alongside supporting just causes and preserving the shared heritage of humanity.
He emphasized that Palestine represents one of humanity’s most ancient societies, the cradle of divine revelations, and a crossroads of cultures, owing to its abundance of religious, archaeological, and historical sites that have, throughout the ages, formed a global cultural legacy that has contributed to the enrichment of our collective history.
He noted that Palestinian heritage is currently facing unprecedented threats due to ongoing conflicts and attacks, particularly in the Gaza Strip. He highlighted the severe damage documented by UNESCO and relevant agencies to archaeological sites, places of worship, libraries, and cultural centers, as well as the risks threatening elements of intangible cultural heritage.
The Minister emphasized that the targeting of Palestinian heritage goes beyond the destruction of historical landmarks; it is an attempt to erase collective memory and undermine cultural identity. He stressed that protecting this legacy is a collective responsibility, requiring the solidarity of the international community to preserve one of the most important components of our shared human heritage.