Muscat – Oman and several Arab countries under the leadership of Qatar, have successfully secured the inscription of the bishtas a shared Arab element on Unesco’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The bisht – widely regarded as a symbol of elegance, prestige and social stature across the Arab world – is traditionally worn on official, national and social occasions. Its craftsmanship reflects generations of inherited skills, from precise hand-tailoring to intricate traditional embroidery.

The achievement was announced during Oman’s participation in the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003 Convention), currently underway in New Delhi, India from December 8 to 13.

The inscription marks the culmination of extensive joint efforts by the participating Arab nations in preparing the nomination file. It is a testament to the depth of Arab cultural cooperation and a collective commitment to safeguard shared heritage and ensure its continuity for generations to come.

The submission for the inscription was made by Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria and United Arab Emirates, besides Oman and Qatar.