Kuwait city: Acting Assistant Secretary-General of the museum and monuments sector at Kuwait's National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), Mohammad bin Redha, emphasized the significance of preserving and developing Failaka Island as a cultural, natural, educational, and tourist landmark that mirrors Kuwaiti identity and supports its inclusion on the World Heritage list.
According to Kuwait News Agency, bin Redha, in a statement on the sidelines of a scientific symposium titled "Christian Archaeological Sites in Eastern Arabia: Towards a Shared Heritage," expressed that Kuwait's participation underscores its commitment to highlighting Failaka's exceptional historical value. The symposium was held from September 13-14 by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities.
Bin Redha noted that there are ongoing efforts to showcase the island's heritage and prepare for its inclusion on the UNESCO Tentative List, following a 2018 recommendation by ICOMOS. He highlighted that Failaka Island contains archaeological layers that span over 4,000 years, covering the Bronze Age through Hellenistic, early Christian, Islamic, and modern periods.
He further explained that collaborations with local and international partners are underway to develop a comprehensive nomination file that preserves the island's authenticity and global significance. Kuwait was represented at the symposium by NCCAL official Engineer Khuloud Al-Khashram and Head of the French-Kuwaiti Archaeological Mission Julie Bonneric.