Special Issue on the First International Conference on Tangible and Intangible Heritage

Abstract

Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, who created man and taught him eloquence. And peace and blessings be upon the noblest of prophets, our master Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.

Ladies and gentlemen, each according to their position and rank... It is my pleasure and honor to stand in respect and appreciation for you for answering the invitation and joining us in this scientific gathering, and for some of you enduring the hardship of travel.

At the outset of my remarks, and by way of establishing the historical significance of this day (May 5), I would like to congratulate myself and all of you on World African Heritage Day. We all take pride in the fact that the Kingdom of Germa in southwestern Libya is the first independent civilized state in the African desert. I also congratulate myself and all Libyans, and we celebrate Libya's accession last November to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage at the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference, thanks to the efforts of His Excellency Minister Dr. Moussa Al-Magariaf, Chairman of the Libyan National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. A salute of appreciation to him.