Arab culture ministers conference wrapped up [Archives:2004/796/Local News]

Arab culture minister 14th conference was held on December 1-2 in Sana'a chaired by Yemeni Minister of Culture Khaled Al-Rowaishan. Under the theme “The role of the Arab culture in preserving identity: Palestine as a model,” the conference was organized by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism in coordination with Arab Education, Science and Culture Organization (AESCO).
The opening session of the conference was attended by Prime Minister Abdul-Qader Bajammal who confirmed the importance of joint Arab cultural work.
Many speeches were delivered at the session by Jordanian Minister of Foreign Culture, chairwoman of the 13th cycle of the conference. She said the Arab culture is part of the overall human culture, emphasizing that we should keep up with recent developments without harming our cultural distinctiveness.
Al-Monji Bu-Snina, General Director of the AESCO, indicated that the conference comes to crown one year full of cultural activities in the 2004 Arab Cultural Capital, Sana'a. He also explained the efforts of the AESCO in protecting the Arab culture among which is a mammoth project of an encyclopedia of Arab and Muslim scholars and scientists, authored by some 2000 experts, professors, and scientist from different universities and educational institutions in the Islamic world.
Another speech was delivered by the representative of the Secretary General of the Arab League.
Mr. Al-Rowaishan, chairman of the current cycle of the conference, stressed the importance of creating necessary means to make possible the activation, monitoring, and following up the application of the conference's recommendations.
He also called on all Arab cultural leaders to replenish the Iraqi libraries, suggesting that every Arab country send 25 thousand newly published books to Baghdad libraries.
The conference approved the recommendations set forth by the permanent committee. They covered many issues including promoting Arabic in order to enhance the national identity and enriching the language with the introduction of information and communication technology.
The conference has come out with recommendations intended to counteract Israeli attempts to erase the Arab and Islamic identity of the city of Al-Quds. They urged the AESCO to intensify media activity on the Palestinian Cause, focusing on the threats posed by Israel to the Arabic essence of Al-Quds and exposing the racist practices of Israelis against the Palestinian people to the international community.
The conference approved the next cycle's theme to be “Arab culture and the information community,” and that it be held in Masqat, Sultanate of Oman.
The conference honored Abdulaziz bin Su'ood Al-Babautain, Director of Al-Babutain Cultural Establishment, for his exertions in supporting the Arab culture and patronizing talented and creative people.
The conference discussed a plan of comprehensive political and cultural integration in the Arab region.
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