Efforts to include Darb Zubaida on World Heritage List

INA - NAJAF

The Governor of Najaf, Al-Ashraf Majid Al-Waeli, announced on Monday, the existence of efforts and endeavors to include Darb Zubaydah, one of the most important historical pilgrimage routes, on the World Heritage List.

“The local government in Najaf is keen to activate the tourism reality and include the antiquities in the governorate, including the ancient Kufic pilgrimage route and the so-called Darb Zubaydah on the World Heritage List in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities," said Al-Waeli to the Iraqi News Agency - INA.


He explained, “Several meetings were held, in which we received two teams of consultants from UNESCO, where they reviewed the archaeological sites, and all requirements were provided for the team to work . The local government is communicating with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, as there is cooperation and joint procedures with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in this regard.”

“Darb Zubaida route is distinguished from other archaeological sites in terms of antiquity and location,” he noted, pointing out that “the local government is working hard to include it on the World Heritage List.”
He highlighted, "the technical aspect is within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, and staff with specializations concerned with this aspect were selected, as coordination with them lies in providing a good work environment, administrative and security support."