The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) is scheduled to showcase 14,000 artifacts and relics recovered from abroad at an exhibition at the National Museum in the capital. The exhibition of rare Saudi antiquities will coincide with the inauguration of the Janadriya Festival this Wednesday, said Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, President of the SCTA. The exhibition, he said, shows the great care being given by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to the invaluable artifacts recovered by the commission from within and outside the Kingdom. In a statement, Prince Sultan urged all citizens to cooperate with the commission and hand over any archeological relics in their possession because of their historical importance. “Their response is a national obligation as these artifacts depict the Kingdom's national heritage and civilization,” Prince Sultan's statement said. He expressed his thanks and appreciation to citizens who on their own have handed over antiquities in their possession. “Their personal initiatives reflect their understanding of the importance of this priceless national wealth,” he said. He said the government attaches great importance to the artifacts and, therefore, has taken stringent measures to protect the country's antiquities and archeological sites from theft and smuggling. He urged the citizens to report any violation of the rules in person or by reporting it to the commission's branches as shown in its website (www.scta.gov.sa) or through direct toll free phone 80075500000 stressing that all tip-offs would be treated confidentially.
