Six centuries-old medinas in the Comoros archipelago have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, marking the first sites from the island nation to receive the designation. The announcement was made on Saturday during a UNESCO meeting in Busan, South Korea, with a delegation from Comoros, including Culture Minister Said Mohamed Ali Said, in attendance.

The medinas, which date back to as early as the 12th century, represent historic urban centers that once formed part of sultanates along maritime trade routes in the Indian Ocean. These sites, located primarily on the islands of Grande Comore and Anjouan, contain palaces, mosques, public squares, and narrow alleys and remain inhabited today. Among them is the medina of Moroni, the nation’s capital, featuring the prominent 14th-century Friday Mosque and its green minaret overlooking the dhow port. The nearby Itsandra medina is noted as a cradle of Swahili civilization, while the Iconi medina houses the tomb of Prince Said Ibrahim, linked to the last sultan of Grande Comore.

Comoros, a predominantly Muslim country situated about 300 kilometers off the coast of East Africa, was historically a hub of cultural and commercial exchange between Africa, the Middle East, and Madagascar. President Azali Assoumani highlighted the archipelago's longstanding role as a crossroads of trade, knowledge, and governance, describing the islands as “globalization before its time.”

Minister Said emphasized that the UNESCO listing is a beginning rather than an endpoint, underscoring the medinas’ status as living towns where traditions continue in daily prayer, commerce, and cultural celebrations. He acknowledged the fragility of the heritage sites, many of which face threats from uncontrolled urban development and modernization. While the medinas have largely preserved their original urban layouts and architecture, some structures are reportedly in serious disrepair.

Officials noted that the inscription brings both responsibilities and opportunities. The Heritage Promotion Office’s director-general, Ania Mohamed Issa, remarked on the impact of urbanization on the sites' integrity, while representatives from cultural organizations expressed optimism that the designation will foster cultural, historical, and architectural tourism, as well as heritage conservation efforts.

With over 1,200 properties worldwide recognized for their outstanding universal value, UNESCO’s addition of the Comoros medinas not only acknowledges their historical significance but also highlights the challenges and potential rewards of safeguarding these unique living heritage sites for future generations.