Saudi Arabia has retrieved from abroad some 19,000 artifacts and historical items reported stolen or missing, said Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission of Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).
The commission is looking for some other stolen antiquities and is in touch with Interpol and the Ministry of Interior to bring them home, Prince Sultan told Sabq e-newsletter.
Interestingly, some of the missing items were found with those who were living in the Kingdom and worked with Saudi Aramco or other companies, he said.
Referring to the importance of Islamic sites, he said the SCTA has set up an advisory committee consisting of key Islamic scholars to care for important sites such as Jabel Al-Nour and Jabel Uhud. The program works under the umbrella of the King Abdullah Project for the Preservation of Heritage, he said.
Regarding the expansion works in the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and their impact on archaeological and historical sites, the SCTA chief said the government of the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is keen to protect such sites as they are part of Islamic history. King Abdullah is not only supportive of such a drive but takes personal interest in reports related to archaeological sites submitted by governorates and municipalities, he said.
He said the SCTA and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs had signed a deal to care for the historical mosques. In this context, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has developed two historical mosques in Jeddah at his own expense whereas many sites are undergoing renovation, he said.
The prince said that besides government initiatives, citizens must also play a prominent role in protecting archaeological sites.