The Las Fuentes Foundation and the European Islamic Heritage Institute (IPIE) have presented the Medinas Network on the occasion of FITUR 2023. This project, which is directly funded by the Diputación de Córdoba, is a plural and open initiative that seeks to culturally and socioeconomically revitalize municipalities on the Iberian Peninsula that have a legacy of Islamic origin, whether Andalusian or contemporary. At the time of its presentation, more than a dozen municipalities had signed an agreement to join the network. At FITUR, the cities of Cordoba and Melilla signed the commitment to join.
Red de Medinas is a firm commitment to diversity and history at a time of great polarization in our country. It is the mature work of thirty years of reflection by the Junta Islámica community. Cosmopolitanism and mutual knowledge -explained the director of the Las Fuentes Foundation, Antonio de Diego- are two of the great values underlying this initiative. For this reason, the narrative is key, as it proposes full coexistence and the questioning of cultural and religious stereotypes. The project not only focuses on urban heritage, but also intends, through a series of actions, to try to reach the tangible and intangible heritage, promoting tourism and sustainable cultural experiences, said Barbara Ruiz, director of the Medinas Network.
In the economic section, the project favors economic development and tourism in disadvantaged areas, offering activities and development models that link them to their own history and local identity. It will also be linked to projects to promote the artistic and gastronomic heritage on which the Foundation is already working. The president of the Las Fuentes Foundation, Isabel Romero, explained that the initiative is also closely linked to tourism. Muslim Friendly-a modality that seeks to attract Muslim tourists to offer them an experience in keeping with their way of life, which has a potential market of more than 1 billion consumers. Red de Medinas currently has mutual recognition agreements with Malaysia and Indonesia, the main issuers of these tourists.
Red de Medinas has the support of the Alliance of Civilizations through its high representative, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, and the aforementioned Cordovan institutions to continue promoting the enhancement of heritage, coexistence, tourism with awareness and the elimination of prejudices as main goals.
Red de Medinas receives a grant from the Diputación de Córdoba.
