Iraq and Saudi Arabia collaborate to restore ancient Hajj route

BAGHDAD, January 8 — The Iraqi Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Saudi Heritage Authority, has developed a plan to restore a historic Hajj route.

The Darb Zubaydah initiative is part of an effort to nominate the route for UNESCO’s World Heritage List, making it the first cross-border nomination.

Iyad Hasan Abdul Hamza, Director-General of Maintenance and Conservation of Antiquities, stated in an interview with Al-Sabah newspaper that plans involve close cooperation with relevant stakeholders, including the Governor of Najaf, Dr. Majid Al-Waeli, who appointed his advisor, Hussein Al-Shibli, to be part of the working team.

The collaboration aims to complete the nomination process and preserve archaeological sites along the route.

Abdul Hamza emphasized the close cooperation with ministries such as electricity, oil, housing, reconstruction, municipalities, public works, water resources, and the tourism authority. The initiative aims to restore buildings, wells, and pools within the nominated sites, including Umm Al-Qurun, Sharaf, Altalhat, and Al-Aqabah.

The development further aims to enhance tourist appeal, improve road networks, provide services, and prepare the sites to receive visitors and researchers from various disciplines.

According to Abdul Hamza, Iraq conducted two workshops, one in Bahrain in collaboration with the Regional Center and another in Saudi Arabia, to discuss the project. Both parties agreed that Iraq would restore four stations, while Saudi Arabia would work on the remaining nine stations along the route.

Upon completion, the nomination file will be submitted to UNESCO, and experts from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) will assess the project. If there are no objections, a vote will be taken for its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Darb Zubaydah route, with a historic length of approximately 1,400 kilometers from Kufa to Mecca, played a significant role in the Hajj and trade during the Islamic era. It was constructed during the Abbasid Caliphate in the year 786.