Quick verdict: what the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society does
The Saudi Heritage Preservation Society, also known as “We Are Our Heritage,” is a regional charitable organization focused on preserving Saudi heritage and presenting it locally and internationally.
The detail that sets it apart: UNESCO registered it in 2019 as an international non-governmental organization in the heritage field, making it the second Saudi non-governmental organization registered with UNESCO and the first Arab organization in that field.
Society at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Established | 2009 |
| Registered locally | 2010, with the ministry now known as Human Resources and Social Development |
| UNESCO registration | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Riyadh |
| Branches | Jeddah, Jazan, Najran, Yanbu, al-Ula, al-Ahsa |
Objectives of the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society
The society positions itself as an active driver in preserving Saudi heritage, raising awareness of its national value and putting it to use. In practice that means education, enrichment for students and specialists, and the inventory and documentation of heritage elements so they can be passed to later generations.
It works in partnership with civil and governmental bodies rather than alone, which is why its output often appears alongside that of the Heritage Commission and the Ministry of Culture.
Mandates the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society carries
Its mandates cover supporting research centers specializing in heritage, preserving heritage with citizen participation, and turning it into a contributor to tourism. It backs group and individual handicraft projects so they become economically viable products, a theme visible in Aseer Province handicrafts and the handicrafts of Al-Jawf Province.
It also works with partners on private museums and the upkeep of artistic and heritage collections, runs restoration projects on heritage and historic landmarks, issues publications, and organizes conferences, seminars, workshops and training courses.
UNESCO files and intangible heritage
The society has prepared files for Saudi intangible heritage elements registered with UNESCO. Falconry was registered in 2012, the Najdi Ardah in 2015, and Arabic coffee together with the majlis in the same year. The Mizmar followed in 2016, al-Qatt al-Asiri in 2017 and the date palm in 2019. Sadu weaving and Khawlani coffee beans were registered in 2020, and al-Bisht al-Hasawi in 2021.
The full inscriptions are searchable in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage lists. For the Saudi side of that story, see Saudi intangible cultural heritage at UNESCO and the musical detail in Ardah rhythms and drum patterns.
The 2023 to 2025 strategic plan
On October 30, 2022, the society launched a strategic plan for 2023 to 2025 built on a vision of preserved, sustainable heritage passed between generations. Its updated mission describes an organization dedicated to managing heritage and building the capacity of sector workers with national expertise and international standards.
Four values anchor the plan: professionalism, initiative, communication and cooperation. Programme strategies emphasize modern documentation technologies, comprehensive management of cultural and natural heritage, and the registration and management of creative cities. Operational goals focus on administrative performance, human resources and financial development.
Heritage sites that benefit from this kind of documentation include Nassif House in Jeddah and Al-Qassar heritage village in Farasan.
Final verdict
The society matters most as a documentation and file-building body. Government commissions build and regulate, while this organization records, trains and nominates. Both are needed, and the UNESCO registrations are the clearest proof of its output.
