2nd Heritage Conf. explores economy in Western travel writings

The session included contributions from His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Institute, Dr Hamdan Al Derai, Dr Laila Meziane from Morocco, and Dr Ghanem Al Humaidi from Qatar. The session was moderated by Aisha Al Hussan.

During the session, the speakers affirmed that the writings of Western travellers serve as an important reference for studying the history of Gulf societies, offering detailed accounts of economic and social conditions, despite being marred by colonial and cultural biases.

They pointed out that a critical reading of these texts helps to deconstruct the stereotypical images that prevailed about the region and contributes to restoring a more balanced narrative of the local past.

Al Musallam’s Reading of Cursetjee’s Vision of the Gulf

His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam presented a paper titled “Cursetjee’s Journey to the Gulf”, in which he reviewed the book “The Land of the Date”, documenting the author’s journey from Bombay to Basra in 1916–1917, during the First World War and the growing British presence in the Gulf.

He explained that the book offers a detailed description of ports, inhabitants, customs, and myths, yet reflects a biased colonial viewpoint, necessitating its analysis within a broader political and cultural context.

Meziane: Moroccan Maritime Heritage

Dr Laila Meziane, presenting her paper via Zoom, addressed “European Representations of Moroccan Maritime Heritage”, focusing on how the Moroccan coast was portrayed in European sources between the 16th and 20th centuries, while highlighting modern digital methodologies used to document this heritage.

Qatar in Western Travel Writings

For his part, Dr Ghanem Al Humaidi discussed “Qatar Through the Eyes of Travellers”, exploring key aspects of social and cultural life in Qatar as portrayed by travellers, merchants, and missionaries. He touched on themes such as pearl diving, hospitality, and tribal society.

The Gulf Coast and Postcolonial Transformations

Dr Hamdan Al Derai shed light on “The Economic and Livelihood Patterns in the South-Eastern Arabian Peninsula”, referring to the transformations in the role of Arabs as trade intermediaries following the dominance of the British East India Company.

Heritage Conference: A Platform for Cultural Dialogue and Knowledge Exchange

This session forms part of a series of academic and cultural events held during the Second Heritage Conference, with the participation of a select group of researchers and experts from various countries. The aim is to discuss the image of Arab folk heritage through the lens of others and to highlight Western representations of this heritage in travel and orientalist literature.

The conference continues over two days, featuring special exhibitions, book signings, and knowledge-based encounters that contribute to fostering cultural dialogue and the exchange of expertise between heritage enthusiasts from both East and West.