idealist.org

Digital Heritage Mapping is a start-up 501(c)(3) non-profit specializing in virtual documentation of global cultural heritage sites. Our flagship initiative is Diarna ("Our homes" in Judeo-Arabic), which is harnessing new global image mapping technology to virtually memorialize Jewish heritage sites from Saharan outposts in southern Morocco to remote Kurdish villages in Iran. Diarna brings together an unusual coalition of scholars, international photographers, proven social entrepreneurs, technical developers, and young Middle Easterners eager to map virtual common ground. Driven by a team with diverse backgrounds and outlooks, the project makes a point of eschewing politics to focus on collecting factual information. Diarna provides an opportunity to (a) preserve Jewish heritage and enhance Jewish identity in the digital age, (b) create common ground for interfaith dialogue and promote an appreciation of Middle Eastern diversity, and (c) fill a void in historiography by injecting geo-spatial positioning data. Moreover, Diarna's virtual tour of rebuilt sites will enable people from around the world to explore this heritage without worrying about political border crossings or expensive airfare.