MUSCAT: Omani history represents a cultural treasure rich with stories and tales that need to be reintroduced to new generations in an accessible and engaging language.
From this perspective comes the book 'A Travel Ticket to Oman: Tales from Omani History' by author Ahmed bin Nasser al Rashdi, published by the Omani Red Fox Library.
Through this work, the author aims to present a collection of historical stories for children and adolescents, using a compelling narrative style that bridges the past and the present.
Author Ahmed al Rashdi explains that reproducing and writing vivid scenes and stories from the history of Oman for children and young people is an urgent necessity.
Library shelves lack books that convey the culture and civilisation of Oman to children. Although there are some titles and publications by Arab writers about Oman, they often lack accurate information, and the illustrations included do not truly reflect its environment, nature and heritage.
He noted that the main motivation for the book came from questions he received from parents and teachers searching for books on Omani history tailored for children, so they could read and summarise them for cultural competitions.
This inspired the idea for the book, and he began developing plans to complete and author it.
He pointed out that he collected and documented the historical stories he read about Omani personalities and maritime and terrestrial environments, among other topics included in the 'Omani Encyclopedia for Young People.'
He chose to reinterpret tales of Omani Sultans and their cultural achievements, such as the establishment of the Sultanate Printing Press, the printing of books and the construction of culturally significant transcontinental ships, through this book.
He emphasised that large and voluminous history books have seen declining readership due to the preoccupation of educators in both homes and schools with visually captivating technological and social media distractions.
These books now primarily attract researchers and specialised scholars. He stressed the importance of making history accessible to school students, children and adolescents through engaging publications — both in style and presentation — as well as through radio, television, YouTube, podcasts and other platforms.
Telling stories of a bright history filled with goodness and glory gives children cultural confidence, instils loyalty and belonging to their homeland, and empowers them to defend it with awareness, eloquence and courage in the future.
The author affirmed that most of the book’s stories are linked to the achievements of Omani Sultans, highlighting their cultural role in spreading Omani culture.
Examples include the story of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal al Said’s visit to Japan in 1937, where he printed the divan of poet Said bin Muslim al Majizi in Osaka, and the story of Sultan Barghash bin Said bin Sultan, who drew inspiration for the Sultanate Printing Press project in Zanzibar during his stay in Egypt as a guest of its ruler Khedive Ismail Pasha in 1875, when he visited the Amiri Press in Cairo. Another story recounts the late Sultan Qaboos Rose, when the World Rose Society in the Netherlands decided to honour his legacy by naming a rose variety after him in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace and protecting the environment. - ONA
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