MUSCAT, DEC 16
The National Museum, in collaboration with a number of government institutions, on Tuesday organised the National Symposium on the Repatriation of Omani Cultural Property Abroad, under the auspices of Eng Ibrahim bin Said al Kharousi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Heritage.
The symposium aimed to raise national awareness on the importance of Omani cultural property as a core pillar of national identity and the historical memory of the community. It also sought to shed light on the legal and international aspects associated with cultural property repatriation operations, particularly relevant international conventions and charters, including the Omani Cultural Heritage Law and the 1970 Unesco Convention.
Dr Fatima al Balushi, Adviser to the Secretary-General for Museum Affairs at the National Museum and Head of the Team for Repatriation of Omani Cultural Property Abroad, reviewed the pivotal status of cultural heritage as one of the essential components of peoples' identities and historical memory, and its role in documenting their civilisational journey and humanitarian contributions throughout the ages.
She indicated that Omani cultural property, including artefacts, manuscripts, archaeological pieces and historical possessions, represents authentic evidence of the depth of Omani civilisation and its historical role in cultural and commercial exchange. She affirmed that the repatriation of these properties is a strategic choice that integrates with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which places great emphasis on preserving cultural heritage and reinforcing national identity.
The symposium concluded with a number of recommendations aimed at enhancing integration between national bodies and supporting the protection and recovery of Omani cultural heritage. The most prominent recommendations included: intensifying cooperation and awareness to strengthen the role of national institutions in documenting cultural property, and urging institutions and individuals to register cultural property in the Cultural Heritage Register to facilitate its documentation, proof of ownership and future claim.
The recommendations also stressed the importance of reporting missing Omani cultural property to the relevant authorities, and working to prepare a national list of lost properties to facilitate their local and international identification and curb the transfer of their ownership to others.
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