Dubai urges people to be part of ‘Heritage Fingerprint’ campaign

posted on 02/09/2012: 1075 views

In an aim to intensify efforts to involve large numbers of residents in preserving UAE's culture and traditions, the Architectural Heritage Department of Dubai Municipality has asked people to be a part of its ‘Heritage Fingerprint' campaign.

The body has also asked members of the public to come forward with their suggestions to preserve heritage through the Dubai Municipality website.

Through this drive, the department aims to involve at least 50,000 Emiratis in pledging their commitment toward preserving their heritage.

The fingerprint initiative was launched earlier this year on International Heritage Day and hundreds of people, including the youth, have pledged their commitment.

The civic body is distributing pamphlets to people across various segments of society and the campaign has also taken off through social media websites.

"The initiative is aimed to disseminate and promote the values, concepts, customs and traditions of the country with the purpose of preserving the national identity, heritage and tradition as well as to spread awareness such as loyalty, pride, leadership, good manners and promote community values,” said Rashad Mohammad Bukhash, who heads the Architectural Heritage Department.

"It is also aimed at strengthening the Arabic language as well as introducing the areas of heritage and architecture, notably Shindagha area, which includes houses of architecture,” he said.

The pledge involves five things — avoiding using non-Arabic words while speaking Arabic, wearing national dress, using elements of traditional architecture in houses, visiting historic sites and museums in the UAE and participating in national celebrations and traditional events.

Through the initiative, the civic body aims to convey the importance of preserving their tradition and also make people feel proud of their heritage so they can carry it forward.

Bukhash said the idea is to keep the traditions alive and bring forth values, wisdoms, costumes and traditions afresh to the younger generation.

"Preserving the heritage is not only about conserving the traditional items and buildings. We need to have awareness and feeling to carry our traditions with us. The Heritage Fingerprint will contribute toward spreading that awareness and generating this feeling in the hearts of all Emiratis,” another official said. – Gulf News

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