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UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage announced today, Wednesday, the addition of several new cultural traditions from Arab countries to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
As the opening of the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in New Delhi.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El Enany underlines the vital role of living heritage as a pillar of cultural diversity.
This year’s inscriptions highlight a broad spectrum of living practices, from ceremonial garments and community gatherings to culinary traditions and wedding rituals, reflecting the region’s diversity and the role these customs continue to play in daily life.
Established in 2008, the list aims to ensure better protection of cultural heritage and to promote its significance. This year's list is being compiled at a general session taking place in New Delhi until Saturday.
Morocco’s iconic caftan was added to the list as a symbol of art, identity and traditional craftsmanship.
The inscription underscores the garment’s centuries-old techniques, design aesthetics, and continued role in Moroccan cultural ceremonies.
A traditional Moroccan garment characterized by elaborate embroidery, fine fabrics, and artisanal tailoring, worn in ceremonies and passed down as part of the country’s textile heritage.
Kuwait succeeded in registering the diwaniya, a traditional gathering space that serves as a cornerstone for social dialogue, community connection, and cultural transmission.
The practice reflects longstanding Gulf traditions of hospitality and consensus-building.
A communal gathering space where men meet to discuss social, political, and cultural issues, serving as a longstanding forum for dialogue, hospitality and community cohesion in Kuwaiti society.
Jordan’s inscription of the Al Mihrass tree highlights the knowledge, skills and ceremonial practices associated with this unique species, long revered for its role in community rituals and ecological heritage.
A culturally significant tree associated with local rituals, knowledge and seasonal practices, valued for its role in community gatherings and symbolic traditions.
A culturally significant tree associated with local rituals, knowledge and seasonal practices, valued for its role in community gatherings and symbolic traditions.
Iraq’s popular Ramadan game Al Muhaibis, a social practice rooted in hospitality, cooperation, and festive spirit, has been officially recognized.
The tradition, passed down through generations, brings together entire neighborhoods in a communal celebration.
A popular Ramadan social game in which two groups compete to guess who is hiding a ring, fostering cooperation, hospitality and neighborhood bonding.
Egypt registered koshary, the beloved daily dish, and the practices surrounding its preparation and consumption. The inscription emphasizes how koshary reflects social diversity, urban culture, and shared food traditions in Egyptian life.
A widely consumed Egyptian dish made from rice, pasta, lentils, chickpeas and tomato sauce, representing everyday urban food culture and shared culinary practices.
Yemen celebrated the inclusion of the Hadrami Dan gathering, a poetic and musical form that brings communities together through rhythmic recitation, collective singing and cultural storytelling.
A poetic and musical tradition in which participants chant, sing and recite collectively, strengthening social ties and preserving oral heritage in Hadramawt communities.
A major multinational nomination, led by Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Arab Republic and the United Arab Emirates, secured the inscription of the bisht, men’s traditional abaa, recognizing the fine craftsmanship, skills and social practices associated with producing and wearing the garment.
The bisht remains a symbol of dignity, authority, and ceremonial tradition across the region.
The making of the traditional men’s cloak known as the bisht, involving skilled weaving, hand-stitching, and ornamentation, and worn on official, religious, and ceremonial occasions.
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