Matahef Issue 03 Out Now
Issue 03 of Matahef arrives at a moment when the question of what heritage means has never felt more urgent.
It carries two covers meant to be read together: one speaks to hope — that even in the darkest moments, our heritage is what holds us together; the other to the future — that heritage and identity are not simply cultural expressions but strategic assets.
Inside, you will find interviews, features, and essays spanning museum leadership, heritage preservation, digital innovation, community engagement, architectural vision, environmental stewardship, philanthropy, and the books shaping our field — told through the voices of practitioners, directors, artists, and thinkers from across the Arab world and beyond.
Features
In Focus – The Evolving Museum Ecosystem of Saudi Arabia
Beneath the headline projects, a quieter transformation is reshaping how Saudi Arabia conceives and inhabits its cultural identity.
Designing Museums
At Diriyah Art Futures, the answer to building something new without erasing what came before is an architecture that thinks
Leadership Voices
Glenn Lowry on leadership, purpose, and the museum’s responsibility to its community
Timekeepers
From the ruins of Gaza’s Great Omari Mosque library, Haneen Al-Omsi and a team of volunteers are rescuing what remains
Arab Museums — Windows to our heritage, visions of our future
المتاحف العربية — نوافذ على تراثنا، ورؤى لمستقبلنا
Matahef offers a 360-degree approach to museum practices, innovation, and cultural leadership across the Arab world. Published quarterly in English with select Arabic features, it connects museum professionals and cultural enthusiasts while championing heritage preservation, igniting curiosity, sparking dialogue, and nurturing a passionate community committed to cultural collaboration.
Past issues
Issue 03 – April 2026
April 17, 2026
Issue 02 – January 2026
January 2, 2026
Issue 01 – October 2025
October 9, 2025