Jeddah, Oct 13, 2020, SPA -- The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has underscored the importance of taking care of cultural heritage of Islamic countries and peoples, vowing to support the efforts being exerted by the Arab countries to protect their legacy during crises. In a speech at the ALECSO coordinating meeting designed to support Arab countries efforts to provide protection for their cultural legacy during crises, Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, Secretary General of OIC, underscored the importance of preserving and protecting cultural heritage in its capacity as a civilizational and humanitarian property that preserves the group memory of human communities and a firm source of enhancement of citizenship due to its role in consolidating the values of peace and co-existence among societies and dissemination of the principles of tolerance and understanding and combating extremism, violence and hatred. In the speech read on his behalf by Al-Hussein Ghazwe, Director of Cultural Affairs of the Jeddah-based organization, he reiterated the commitment of OIC to constructive cooperation and joint action with all stakeholders in the field of protection of humanitarian heritage, in the Arab and Islamic world. --SPA 20:18 LOCAL TIME 17:18 GMT 0020 www.spa.gov.sa/w1428557