What is the Islamic World heritage List

The Islamic World Heritage List

The Islamic world conceals a rich, dense, eclectic cultural diversity, which makes it remarkable and unique and constitutes instruments of social cohesion, artistic and economic resources. The protection and conservation of the cultural and natural heritage of the Islamic world is one of the main objectives of ICESCO’s action. Its action is reflected in its effort to promote this heritage as well as the maintenance of the values that contribute to the unity of this group which is called the Islamic World.

The Islamic World Heritage List represents tangible and intangible cultural heritage that must be preserved and enriched for transmission to subsequent generations in the Islamic World. It includes :

  • The tangible cultural heritage: sites, monuments, museum and archaeological holdings, buildings of outstanding aesthetic value, various cultural goods and products of arts and handicrafts.
  • Intangible cultural heritage: it includes customs, traditions, oral expressions, knowledge, skills, arts and traditional games, and their bearers.
  • Natural heritage: It covers all natural spaces of outstanding value at the aesthetic or historical level, which constitute reserves to preserve animal, plant, environmental and mineral biodiversity.