The Acting Secretary-General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, Dr. Issa Al-Ansari, confirmed that there has been no tampering of the antiquities of Failaka Island, stressing that the General Secretariat is carrying out its duty regarding precautionary and protective measures to preserve antiquities and archaeological sites in the State of Kuwait.
This came in a press statement made by Al-Ansari, following what was being circulated on some social media about “the exposure of archaeological sites on Failaka Island to theft and tampering by foreign visitors.”
He said that the archaeological sites on Failaka Island are accessed through a main gate, which is surrounded by fences and guard points. Surveillance cameras are available at these sites around the clock, and visitors are received after verifying their identities.
He explained that the (Kuwaiti-French) and the (Kuwaiti-Danish) excavation squads are currently working in those sites under the direct supervision and care of the National Council for Culture, pointing out that there are separate sites on the island that are also subject to fencing and are under the supervision of the antiquities team of the Antiquities and Museums Sector, which monitors any infringements. In those sites, if any, and submit periodic reports.
Al-Ansari affirmed the cooperation of the National Council for Culture with the Customs Administration and the permanent coordination on the issue of combating antiquities trafficking in accordance with the laws of the state, indicating that this cooperation resulted in providing security for all archaeological sites in the State of Kuwait.
He called on everyone to investigate accuracy in circulating information before publishing it, expressing aspiration to cooperate with specialists and those interested in this aspect in order to preserve these national wealth and enhance its historical and moral value.