In what way does the West respond to heritage destructions in Syria and Iraq by ISIS and how does this relate to the concepts of Postcolonialism and the Authorized Heritage Discourse?

Abstract

In this thesis, the heritage destructions by ISIS in Syria and Iraq are researched in relation to Western mediated reactions on ISIS' acts of vandalism. Newspaper articles from major world publications are thoroughly analysed, to conduct this research. Six trends can be discovered within these media reactions. Next to that, UNESCO conventions and meetings are analysed to find orientalist and neo-imperial structures imbedded in this global cultural organisation. UNESCO's way of dealing with ISIS heritage destructions has an enormous influence on how the West perceives the terrorist organisation and its actions. Secondary literature was used to complement the data research and to create a theoretical framework, to help answer the research question. I have found that Western media responds with great numbers on the heritage destruction of Roman or Mesopotamian heritage, and almost not at all on the deliberate destruction of mosques and Muslim shrines. Furthermore, it appears that a correspondence exists between ISIS and Western media. The West writes articles on the importance of Palmyra, just after ISIS has taken the Roman city, on which ISIS responds with the gradual destruction of it.