Ismail El Fihail, born in Sudan, is the Director General of the House of Heritage. He holds a Ph.D. in Ethnology, Geography, and Islamic Studies from Bayreuth University, Germany (1989), a B.Sc. in Sociology, M.A. in Anthropology and Folklore.

Dr. El Fihail is a member of the global facilitators network of the 2003 Convention since 2011 and has served as a lecturer in Sociology, Anthropology, and Folklore. From 2003 to 2016, he served as an advisor at the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, UAE. Dr. El Fihail has authored 13 books and numerous articles and participated in nominating 17 elements for UNESCO’s heritage lists.