Document Type : Viewpoint/Editorial
Author
Faculty of Cultural Materials Conservation, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Architectural heritage, as a historical, cultural, and identity-defining asset, is currently facing extensive and escalating threats more than ever before. This heritage not only reflects the past and human civilizational achievements but also plays a fundamental role in shaping collective identity, social cohesion, and the cultural continuity of societies. Nevertheless, systematic destruction caused by wars and armed conflicts, gradual degradation resulting from climate change, extensive damage from natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and storms, as well as poor planning, managerial negligence, and improper interventions, have exposed a significant portion of the world’s historical and architectural monuments to the risk of annihilation or irreparable harm. The architectural heritage of Islamic countries, stretching from Andalusia in the west to Southeast Asia in the east, constitutes a rare and unparalleled treasure of art, culture, technical knowledge, and historical experience. This heritage encompasses prominent religious, educational, and governmental edifices, historical urban and rural fabrics, public spaces, as well as traditional construction systems and indigenous technologies developed over centuries. These monuments clearly reflect the cultural, religious, and social values of the people in Islamic lands, illustrating the creative interaction between humans and their environment, climate, and natural resources.In recent decades, unfortunately, a large number of invaluable architectural monuments in Islamic countries—including Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Libya, and even Iran—have either been completely destroyed or are under severe threat. The destruction of architectural heritage in these regions is not merely the loss of buildings; rather, it signifies the eradication of historical memory, the weakening of cultural identity, and the disruption of historical continuity within societies. Therefore, safeguarding this heritage is not solely a specialized or national duty, but rather a shared responsibility at the regional and international levels. Given the foundational role of architectural heritage in strengthening identity, solidarity, and cultural dialogue in the Islamic world, organizing scientific and specialized conferences in this field is an undeniable necessity.Emphasizing the invaluable monuments and sites of the Islamic world, the International Conference on “Architectural Heritage at Risk” seeks to create a scientific platform for scholars, researchers, conservation experts, and cultural managers to convene. It aims to analyze the current situation, exchange experiences, and provide practical and scientific solutions for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of this shared treasure.The International Conference on “Architectural Heritage at Risk” was held on October 19–20, 2025, in collaboration with the Rab’-e Rashidi Scientific, Cultural and Historical Complex, the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Tabriz Islamic Art University. During this conference, following the peer-review process of the submitted full papers, 16 articles were selected for oral presentation. Additionally, from the total submissions, 18 papers were forwarded for publication in scientific-research journals approved by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, while the remaining accepted papers were published in the conference proceedings. This conference represents an effective step toward raising awareness, strengthening scientific collaborations, and drawing global attention to the imperative of protecting the endangered architectural heritage of the Islamic world.
