Al-sharjah: Al-Sharjah Institute for Heritage yesterday inaugurated the coordinating meeting of the heads of scientific teams for the Encyclopedia of Traditional Architecture in the Arab World. The two-day event brings together experts and academics from more than 20 Arab countries spanning from the Atlantic to the Gulf, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Mauritania, Sudan, among others.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the meeting was chaired by Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam, Chairman of al-Sharjah Institute for Heritage and head of the Encyclopedia’s Supreme Scientific Committee, alongside Dr. Zainab Kandouz Gherbal, the project coordinator, and Abu Bakr Al-Kindi, Director of the Institute.

The opening day’s agenda included an introduction to the encyclopedia, its objectives, methodology, and timeline, in addition to reviewing the current progress of the project and launching its first volume, which focuses on methodological and descriptive frameworks. Participants also discussed existing challenges and ways to overcome them.

Dr. Al-Musallam described the project as a landmark initiative in joint Arab cultural cooperation, stressing that traditional architecture is more than just buildings, it embodies identity and cultural heritage. ‘Our efforts today reaffirm our commitment to documenting this legacy and preserving it for future generations,’ he said.

For his part, Abu Bakr Al-Kindi emphasized that the meeting reflects al-Sharjah’s position as a scientific and cultural hub, while also strengthening collaborative research efforts to highlight the architectural identity of the Arab world.

The second day will feature three panel sessions: the first addressing aspects of traditional architecture in the UAE and the Gulf, the second focusing on urban heritage in the Levant, and the third examining architectural patterns in North Africa.

The Encyclopedia of Traditional Architecture in the Arab World is one of al-Sharjah Institute for Heritage’s flagship initiatives, aiming to safeguard Arab architectural heritage by documenting its terminology, elements, and components, thereby protecting the collective memory from erosion and loss.