Shafi and Al-Mammar mosques in south Jeddah, and restoration work has already begun, Prince Sultan Bin Salman, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has said. Prince Sultan told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that the process of registering Historical Jeddah with UNESCO was taking more time than usual. The prince said that Historical Jeddah, regardless of whether it gets registered by UNESCO or not, is important and remains a historical place. “The most important thing (for us) is to preserve this important area and take care of it as citizens,” he said. Four UNESCO experts are working with the SCTA to complete the process and register the area as an urban heritage in the next two years, Prince Sultan pointed out. The prince has visited Historical Jeddah in the past and met with Dr. Hani Abu Ras, Mayor of Jeddah. Abu Ras has called Jeddah a precious jewel that needs to be preserved. Prince Sultan lauded the Jeddah Mayoralty's efforts in preserving historical sites. “The SCTA is working in 12 sites to preserve (Jeddah's) urban heritage. There is coordination between all governmental departments,” Prince Sultan said.
