Local Projects Related to Islamic Cultural Heritage

Artist and curator Sarah Al Abdali explores Arab culture and Islamic philosophy through painting, ceramics, and woodwork. A master’s graduate of the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, she researches Hejazi material culture and exhibits internationally, including at the British Museum and Islamic Arts Biennale. 

Born in Mecca and raised and educated in Riyadh. 

He founded SAMAYA Investment in 1420 AH (1999 CE). SAMAYA is a fully integrated, innovative media organization specializing in exhibitions, museums, media production, and events, dedicated to developing cultural and media projects. To date, it has delivered hundreds of exhibitions and dozens of events, conferences, and celebrations for a wide range of clients.

He has led landmark initiatives in Medina, including the Qur’ān Museum, the Architecture of the Prophet’s Mosque exhibition, the Safā and Marwah Gardens Museum, the Peace Museum project, and the Ghamāmah Museum project. In Mecca, his projects include the Ḥirā Cultural District, the Jabal Thawr Cultural District, the Jabal Omar Museums project, as well as over ten other distinctive museum and exhibition ventures across the Kingdom.

Tayeb Al-Tayeb was born in Jeddah and currently serves as Director of the Qasr Al-Zaher Museum in Mecca and Acting Director of the Tariq Abdul Hakim Museum in Jeddah, both under the Saudi Museums Authority. He brings extensive leadership experience across the cultural, educational, and community-development sectors.

During his tenure at the Ministry of Culture, Al-Tayeb played a pivotal role in establishing the Agency for National Partnerships and Development and personally oversaw more than 280 projects and initiatives. He has also held senior and advisory positions in education, communications, labor, and social development.

Al-Tayeb holds advanced academic credentials from McGill University in Canada and the George Washington University in the United States.

Ebtisam Alwehaibi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Languages and Translation from King Saud University, as well as a certification in Cultural Heritage Resource Management from the Sharjah Institute for Heritage. She also holds several leadership certificates from IMD, ECADE, and HEC Paris.

She currently serves as the Director General of Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Heritage Commission under the Ministry of Culture. Alwehaibi is a board member of both ICOM and ICOMOS Saudi Arabia, in addition to being part of UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage Experts Network and the 2030 Leaders Group.

Through her advisory and professional roles, Alwehaibi leads national efforts to safeguard Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage. She oversees strategies for research, documentation, protection, and planning, and organizes training workshops that support capacity-building. She also mentors and empowers the next generation of heritage leaders by participating in initiatives that foster innovation and leadership in the field, reflecting her ongoing commitment to preserving cultural identity and promoting cultural diversity locally and internationally.