Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage took part in the 27th International Council of Museums (ICOM) Conference, “ICOM Dubai 2025,” hosted in Dubai from 11 to 17 November. Held under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Societies,” the event saw broad international participation from cultural institutions, museums, experts, and heritage specialists from around the world.
Through its pavilion at the accompanying exhibition, the Center showcased its key achievements in preserving human heritage and restoring manuscripts, in addition to introducing its cultural initiatives that have extended to more than 50 institutions in 30 countries worldwide. It also highlighted the services it provides to researchers and those interested in heritage studies.
Visitors to the pavilion were presented with samples of original manuscript leaves damaged due to poor preservation, along with explanations of the treatment and restoration methods applied by the Center’s Preservation and Conservation Department. The Center also displayed a selection of book covers it produces, decorated with historical seals from various eras, including the Ottoman, Safavid, Qajar, Mamluk, and Almohad periods. The exhibit further included a collection of original manuscripts on literature and poetry, as well as rare printed works held by the Center.
Dubai’s selection to host the 27th ICOM Conference marks a significant milestone, as it is the first city in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia to host the event since the founding of the International Council of Museums in 1946. The conference is held every three years.
This year’s gathering brought together more than 4,500 museum experts and cultural leaders from around the world, along with over 100 exhibiting institutions, further cementing Dubai’s position as a global platform for cultural dialogue and a central hub for advancing the future of the museum sector.
