A special committee of artists has been formed to protect and preserve some of the city's most beautiful monuments damaged by environment and negligent citizens. Jeddah has several monuments designed by Saudi and international artists. Mayor Dr. Hani Abu Ras decided to form the committee to preserve the artistic, historical and monetary value of Jeddah's monuments and to turn the city into one of the most beautiful in the world. This would be a dream come true for Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region. “The artistic works of Henry Moore, Abdul Slam Eid, Abdul Haleem Ridhwi to mention but few, deserve to be preserved and protected,” said Abu Ras. Yassir Azhar, the committee's coordinator, Director of the Culture and Arts Department at Jeddah Mayoralty and secretary of the artistic and consultative committee in charge of Jeddah monuments and landscapes, said committee would consist of renowned Saudi artists. One of the primary goals of the committee is to protect the monuments from erosion and keep them clean of garbage left behind by some picnicking citizens, Azhar added. “This is an artistic and consultative committee that focuses on developing Jeddah's monuments and landscapes into the future.” The artists of the committee have started carrying out their tasks and already added aesthetic artistic touches to some walls and monuments and even suggested the construction of new monuments to add more beauty to Jeddah's landscape, especially the part overlooking the sea, according to Azhar. “Another task of the committee is to keep these monuments clean and shining and free from dust and garbage especially following weekends. The monuments will be given the full attention of the committee as recommended by Mayor Abu Ras and they will receive the same attention as other monuments around the world.” “Many monuments have been removed from their places in order to facilitate some development projects. For example, the famous Corniche monuments which carry poetry about Jeddah written by Jeddah poets like Papa Tahir and Ahmad Qandeel were removed but they are all kept in a safe place and are in good condition.” Jeddah is seeing major, unprecedented developments, Azhar added. __
