News & Event

Two introductory seminars held in Zanzibar, introducing two Omani figures included in UNESCO's program to celebrate the fiftieth or centenary anniversary of important historical events and globally influential figures. These are the Omani poet and journalist Nasser bin Salem bin Uddyam Al-Bahlani Al-Rawahi (Abu Muslim), and the historian and writer Hamid bin Mohammed bin Ruzaiq Al-Nakhli. The seminars are organized by the Ministry of Education, represented by the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, in cooperation with the Consulate of the Sultanate of Oman in Zanzibar. Academics, researchers, teachers and interested parties from both the Sultanate of Oman and Zanzibar presented their working papers over two days.

The Sultanate of Oman's delegation was headed by Abdullah Al Harthy, Director-General of Knowledge and Cultural Development at the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, with the participation of speakers and specialists from a number of national bodies and institutions, most notably: the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Ministry of Information, the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, the National Records and Archives Authority, the Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science, the University of Nizwa and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, the Omani Writers and Literary Association, and the Omani Society for Astronomy and Space. The two seminars aim to introduce these figures to the global level, showcase their most prominent scientific and cultural achievements, and highlight the Sultanate of Oman's efforts in promoting Omani icons globally.

The opening ceremony of the two seminars was patronized by HE Dr. Harun Ali Rashid, Minister of State for the President's Office, Constitutional Affairs, Legal Affairs, Civil Service and Good Governance in Zanzibar, in the presence of HE Said bin Salem Al-Sanawi, Consul General of the Sultanate of Oman in Zanzibar, a number of dignitaries and notables from Zanzibar, and members of the Omani Diplomatic Corps accredited to Zanzibar.

The opening ceremony of the seminar included a speech by the organizing committee of the two seminars, delivered by the head of the Sultanate of Oman's delegation. He emphasized that the relations between the Sultanate of Oman and Zanzibar are as old as the approach adopted by the Omanis in communicating with other nations and peoples, regardless of their civilizations and cultural diversity. This cultural communication, which spanned more than a thousand years, witnessed a cultural and economic prosperity at that time, and left a clear imprint on various aspects of political, economic, social, and cultural life. In his speech, he noted that Omanis have taken it upon themselves to spread love, understanding, and cooperation wherever they set foot. They are messengers of peace, advocates of goodness, and bearers of a noble message: respect for others, based on goodwill and honesty in dealing with others. They have left a profound impact on these peoples.

HE the Consul of the Sultanate of Oman in Zanzibar delivered a speech in which he said: “Zanzibar has been and continues to be a witness to the bonds of love, brotherhood and common history that bind it to the Sultanate of Oman, which we are proud of, and we are working hard to consolidate and strengthen in various fields. This seminar comes within the framework of concerted efforts to enrich the common history, and within the framework of the two sides’ keenness to enhance cultural and scientific dialogue, and the exchange of experiences and knowledge in a context of rapprochement and mutual respect.” He added: "In this distinguished cultural gathering, we recall the biographies of Omani men who have immortalized their names in the annals of human history, contributed to the dissemination of knowledge, science, and values, and played pioneering roles in various fields, especially in Zanzibar and the regions of East Africa. Through their efforts, they embodied the values ​​of tolerance, generosity, and good coexistence."

In his keynote paper for the two seminars, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Abri, Secretary of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, reviewed the international and regional organizations with which the Omani National Commission works, as well as their tasks, mandates, and programs. His paper also highlighted the Commission's most prominent efforts in the field of preserving heritage and cultural identity, in addition to introducing UNESCO's program for celebrating the fiftieth or centenary anniversary of important historical events and globally influential figures, as well as the Omani figures that the Sultanate of Oman has successfully included in this program.

The first day included featuring several scientific papers on the personality of the Omani poet and journalist Abu Muslim Al-Bahlani Al-Rawahy, including: the biography and poetry of Abu Muslim Al-Bahlani, the media dimension of his personality, the significance of places in his poetry, an examination of his thought, and deepening African-Arab cultural ties. The second day highlighted the personality of Ibn Ruzaiq, which included topics on aspects of his biography and his methodology in historical writing, the global impact of his personality, his legacy in Arab and foreign archives, and an examination of his thought.

It is worth noting that the Sultanate of Oman has succeeded in inscribing seven Omani figures and one historical event on UNESCO's program for the centenary or fiftieth anniversary of important historical events and globally influential figures. These figures are the linguist Al-Khalil bin Ahmed Al-Farahidi in 2005, the physician and pharmacist Rashid bin Omairah Al-Hashemi Al-Rustaki in 2013, the encyclopedist and social reformer Sheikh Noor Al-Din Abdullah bin Hamid Al-Salmi in 2015, and the physician and physicist Abu Muhammad Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Azdi, nicknamed Ibn Al-Dhahabi. Then, the Omani poet Nasser bin Salem Al-Bahlani Al-Rawahi, nicknamed Abu Muslim, was inscribed in 2019, and the Omani navigator Ahmed bin Majid Al-Saadi in 2021. During the meetings of the Administrative and Financial Affairs Committee, which emanated from the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference, held in November 2023, the Sultanate of Oman was able to include two new cultural elements in this program: the 350th anniversary of the establishment of Jabreen Fort, and the 150th anniversary of the death of the historian, poet, and writer Hamid bin Mohammed bin Ruzaiq.