Article 68 of the Saudi Antiquities Law

المادة 68 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني

A museum's activity may not be stopped permanently or for a long period except after the Authority's approval, the Authority may determine the fate of its exhibits, and the regulations set the controls.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

لا يوقف نشاط المتحف نهائياً أو لمدة طويلة إلا بعد موافقة الهيئة، وللهيئة تحديد مصير معروضات المتحف، وتحدد اللوائح ضوابط ذلك.

This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers

Article 68 explained in plain English

This article regulates stopping a museum's activity.

Cases covered:
- Permanent stoppage.
- Stoppage for a long period.
The condition: the Authority's approval before stopping.
Fate of the exhibits: the Authority may determine the fate of the museum's exhibits.
The details: the regulations set the controls for this.

This means a museum cannot close its doors permanently or for a long period by its own decision alone; it needs the Authority's approval. The article does not define what counts as a "long period", which is among the controls it leaves to the regulations.

The most important part in practice is that the Authority may determine the fate of the exhibits. The text does not set out the forms this determination takes, and does not state that the exhibits pass into the Authority's ownership, so that should not be inferred from the text alone; the regulations set the controls.

This rule follows Article 67, which requires only coordination with the Authority when a museum moves its premises or makes a fundamental change to its displays, whereas permanent or long-term stoppage needs approval. It is followed by Article 69, which requires the Authority's approval for restoring registered items that the museum owns.

Anyone who is thinking of closing a private museum would be wise to contact the Authority early, and to consult a lawyer who specializes in antiquities and urban heritage law to learn the controls.

Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.

How we write and review content

General Practice lawyers: ask a specialist about your case

Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law