Praise be to God, and may blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of God, our Master and Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and his family and those who follow him. Now then:

It is not hidden from any wise and prudent person that national heritage is a fundamental factor in understanding the nature of the development of societies and a clear indication of how society was formed, how it was, and subsequently how we became what we are today. Therefore, caring for heritage is an important reason for studying the past, understanding the present, and anticipating the future.

Heritage is closely linked to the past and is never disconnected from it. It clearly reflects the character of a nation and its national identity. The people of every society take pride in their heritage and the glories of their ancestors and consider it an important link in the chain of building their character, especially if their heritage is linked to their religion and faith, which shape the features of their religious and national identity.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, by the grace of God, contains many historical landmarks and religious monuments, as it is the cradle of revelation, the source of the message, and the beacon of guidance for all people. On its land lived the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, who spread the religion to all people until God took him. He had fulfilled the trust, conveyed the message, and advised the nation. God removed the affliction through him and left us on the straight path, its night like its day. The matter of religion continued to be spread from this blessed country until its successful rulers adopted the Qur’an and Sunnah as the constitution of their rule.

If nations take pride in the legacy of people who have passed away and were not believers, then we take pride in the legacy of the Master of Messengers. If nations take pride in one or two of their great men, then we are more deserving of pride in the countless constellation of scholars, poets, men of letters, researchers, thinkers, students and great men who have filled the ears of this age throughout the ages. But if nations take pride in their great men who lived at a certain period, then we are more deserving of pride in our great men whose lineage has not ceased and the wombs of our women have not been barren until now from producing their likes (offspring from one another). The goodness in this nation continues and will not cease, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: (Goodness is in me and in my nation until the Day of Resurrection).

God has blessed this blessed and wise country with a leadership characterized by firmness and determination, represented by my master, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him and keep him as a treasure for us and grant him health and wellness, and my master, his faithful Crown Prince, His Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, may God grant him success and guide his steps.

I say: God has blessed this country with a leadership determined to showcase its historical heritage to the people of the Kingdom in particular and to the world in general. It has not lost sight, for a moment, of the glories, exploits, virtues, monuments, landmarks and heritage that this country enjoys, of which it has the right to be proud to the world, to boast to the world and to boast to the entire world.

This was clearly evident to all through a clear strategy, confident and steady steps, and an integrated vision, “Vision 2030.” Based on the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ program for the care of cultural heritage, tireless efforts and unwavering determination were made to revive national, Arab, Islamic, and ancient heritage sites, and they were registered on the World Heritage List, and services were provided and access to them was facilitated for all. This is the clearest evidence of the Kingdom’s deep heritage, and it is a witness to the effective role and distinguished position of this country throughout its extended history.