Rabat: On May 4, the ICESCO headquarters in Morocco hosted the inaugural presentation ceremony of the 'ICESCO-Azerbaijan Natavan Excellence Award,' jointly established by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and ICESCO. The ceremony was held as part of the international conference on 'Managing Heritage in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations in the Islamic World.'
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the award, founded in 2025 and named after prominent Azerbaijani poet Khurshidbanu Natavan, aims to promote best practices in preserving and managing tangible cultural heritage. The 'Natavan Heritage Excellence Award' highlights Azerbaijan's dedication to national values and humanism, while promoting its literary and cultural legacy. Presented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and ICESCO, the award pays tribute to the poet's legacy and contributes to the preservation and promotion of Garabagh's rich cultural heritage.
The event was attended by Director-General of ICESCO Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik; Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center Anar Alakbarov; and Princess Dana Firas of Jordan, President of Petra National Trust and Vice President of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
The biennial 'Natavan Heritage Excellence Award' is presented in individual and project categories to initiatives in ICESCO member states focused on preserving tangible heritage. This year, 54 applications were shortlisted, and the international jury selected the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee (Palestine) as the project category winner for its efforts in safeguarding cultural heritage in the Old City of Hebron/Al-Khalil.
In the 'Individual Category,' the winner is Iraqi national Ayoob Thanoon, Founder and President of the Mosul Heritage Foundation. He exemplifies 'heritage continuity' in heavily damaged urban heritage environments in the Islamic world, focusing on restoring identity and social cohesion in a post-conflict, multiethnic context.
Anar Alakbarov, Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, highlighted cooperation between Azerbaijan and ICESCO, including joint projects under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024 in Shusha. He noted that Shusha, known for its multiculturalism and tolerance, was named ICESCO's 'Capital of Culture in the Islamic World' for 2024. He emphasized the significance of the 'Natavan Heritage Excellence Award' within ICESCO in 2025 and praised President Ilham Aliyev and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, ICESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva, for their roles in advancing cooperation with ICESCO.
Alakbarov emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage in the Islamic world amid ongoing global conflicts. Participants were informed about projects by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Azerbaijan and abroad, including restoration efforts in Garabagh and East Zangezur regions, as well as international initiatives in Africa. Within cooperation with ICESCO, educational projects have been carried out in Burkina Faso and other countries.
During the event, an Azerbaijani carpet honoring Khurshidbanu Natavan was presented to ICESCO by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Princess Dana Firas, a jury member of the 'Natavan Heritage Excellence Award,' stressed its importance amid growing threats to cultural heritage during conflicts and described the award as a timely initiative to promote experience-sharing, awareness, and best practices.
Salim bin Mohammed Al Malik emphasized that conflicts have damaged or destroyed hundreds of cultural heritage sites, with over 27 World Heritage properties under serious threat. He highlighted ICESCO's assessment mission in Garabagh, where more than 120 sites were inspected, and noted a similar upcoming mission in Syria. He also stressed ICESCO's cooperation with Azerbaijan and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Hani Al-Hayek thanked the organizers for selecting the Hebron restoration project as a winning initiative and for supporting its implementation. The first recipients of the award also expressed gratitude to ICESCO and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for the attention given to the projects and for establishing the award.
Guests later visited the Sultan Qaboos Library at ICESCO and a photo exhibition showcasing restoration projects in conflict zones. The exhibition featured images of restored historical, cultural, and religious monuments in areas formerly under Armenian occupation, as well as projects by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Garabagh.
On the sidelines of the conference, Anar Alakbarov met with Salim bin Mohammed Al Malik to discuss future joint projects in Azerbaijan and other countries.