In this episode of Hwar AlMadar, we dive into the deep history and cultural significance of Waqf – a traditional Islamic system for endowments – with special guests Raja Khalidi and Farah Abushullaih. Together, we discuss the roles of their respective institutions – the Khalidi Library and Ithra – in preserving Islamic heritage. The conversation explores the operational aspects of Waqf, the historical context of their collections, and the ongoing efforts to maintain and share Islamic cultural heritage with the world. The episode provides a rich narrative on the legacy of Islamic art, the impact of cultural preservation, and the unique challenges faced by custodians of these timeless treasures.
In this episode of Hwar AlMadar, we dive into the deep history and cultural significance of Waqf – a traditional Islamic system for endowments – with special guests Raja Khalidi and Farah Abushullaih. Together, we discuss the roles of their respective institutions – the Khalidi Library and Ithra – in preserving Islamic heritage. The conversation explores the operational aspects of Waqf, the historical context of their collections, and the ongoing efforts to maintain and share Islamic cultural heritage with the world. The episode provides a rich narrative on the legacy of Islamic art, the impact of cultural preservation, and the unique challenges faced by custodians of these timeless treasures.
00:00 Introduction
01:22 Understanding Waqf: A Historical Perspective
04:28 The Role of Ithra and Its Cultural Impact
06:17 The Khalidi Library: A Legacy of Knowledge
11:29 Preservation and Cultural Legacy
22:27 Engaging the Youth: The Future of Cultural Heritage
28:43 The Nineties Manuscript Project
29:09 Challenges of Managing a Public Institution
31:15 Digitizing the Library Collection
32:14 Redefining the Library's Mission
33:26 The Role of Perpetuity in Library Management
36:28 Divine Obligation and Community Impact
38:22 Evaluating Success in Museum Exhibitions
40:17 Historical Artefacts and Their Stories
51:22 The Significance of Islamic Art
56:36 Final Thoughts
Farah Abushullaih is the Head of Museum at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). She holds an MA in Museum Anthropology from Columbia University in New York, USA, and a BA in International Business and Intercultural Communications from Aston University in Birmingham, UK. Abushullaih joined the Ithra team in 2012 and worked as Lead Curator of the Great Hall exhibition space. During her time at Ithra, Abushullaih led the launching of a number of programs and initiatives that support the development of the Kingdom’s creative sector and provide a platform for cross-cultural engagement. With her team, she curated and developed several local and international exhibitions in collaboration and partnership with distinguished institutions. She has led bringing global art to the Kingdom, and in 2021 introduced the first immersive art exhibition that addresses the topic of sustainability in KSA.
Connect with Farah Abushullaih 👉 https://instagram.com/farah.abushullaih
Raja Khalidi was the Research Coordinator at MAS (2016-Nov 2019). He worked at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) from 1985 to 2013, and was the Coordinator of its Program of Assistance to the Palestinian people from 2000 to 2006. He spent his last five years at UNCTAD as the head of the Office of the Director of the Division of Globalization and Development Strategies, which led UNCTAD’s response to the global economic crisis and its participation in the G-20 process. He was also a consultative member of the Welfare Association (Taawon), a founding member of the Family Relief Fund in Palestine (Geneva), and a member of the MAS Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2013.
Hosted by Mikey Muhanna
Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu
Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊