MANAH, APRIL 21
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, in collaboration with the Oman Across Ages Museum, marked World Heritage Day with a celebration in the Wilayat of Manah, held under the theme 'Resilient Heritage in the Face of Disasters and Conflicts'. The event highlighted innovative projects and sustainable investments in heritage preservation.
Graced by Shaikh Dr Faisal bin Ali al Zeedi, Wali of Manah, the event brought together officials, experts and culture enthusiasts for a day of reflection, presentations and discussions on protecting and revitalising Oman’s heritage.
Opening the ceremony, Moza bint Suleiman al Wardiyah, Assistant Director-General for Museum Affairs, stressed the importance of this global occasion in preserving the cultural legacy of nations - a reflection of human identity, history and memory.
The programme featured several inspiring case studies. Abdullah bin Nasser al Othmani, founder of KMKAN in Bahla, shared how his heritage guesthouse and café preserves the soul of old Bahla while offering modern hospitality.
Ishaq al Sharyani from Bawareq National Company outlined the transformation of Harat Al Aqur in Nizwa. With limited initial funds, his team restored over 1,200 square metres of the historical wall and surrounding areas.
Abdullah bin Nasser al Shuraiqi, Director of Al Jurf Al Sharqi Company, spoke about the revival of the 500-year-old Soujrah Heritage Village in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, now a thriving cultural destination with over 50,000 visitors and strong community engagement.
Eng Mohammed bin Zahir al Nabhani of Bawader Global Company shared success stories from Nizwa Fort, Oman’s most visited heritage site, which has hosted over 80 major events, 700 traditional performances, and benefited more than 7,000 individuals and small enterprises.
The event closed with a message from the organisers of Oman Across Ages Museum, emphasising that heritage preservation goes beyond restoration. It’s about engaging communities, fostering knowledge and building resilience for the future.
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