WASHINGTON: As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Omani cultural engagement in the United States and reinforce bridges of dialogue between nations, the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center hosted a special Ramadhan iftar and panel discussion in the US capital with representatives from the Al Amana Centre.
The event was held under the auspices and in the presence of Dr Majid al Khalili, Executive Director of the Center, and attended by Sabra al Hooti, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Washington.
The gathering reflects the centre’s continued commitment to deepening mutual understanding and strengthening the longstanding ties between the Sultanate of Oman and the United States through meaningful cultural and intellectual exchange.
The evening opened with welcoming remarks by Hiba Abdulkhaliq, Senior Programme Officer at the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center, who highlighted the important role cultural institutions play in fostering spaces for constructive dialogue and mutual respect.
The programme featured a presentation titled 'A Sacred Trust,' which highlighted the enduring humanitarian legacy of the Al Amana Centre since its establishment in 1891. The presentation traced the Centre’s contributions to education and medical services and its evolution into a leading institution for interfaith dialogue in cooperation with the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.
The presentation was delivered by Justin Meyers, Executive Director of the Centre, and Mohammed bin Ali al Shueili, Associate Director, who outlined key milestones in the Centre’s institutional development and its contemporary initiatives promoting coexistence and trust-building among communities.
The evening concluded with a discussion on the importance of experiential learning as a pathway for moving societies beyond tolerance toward mutual respect and reconciliation, followed by an engaging dialogue with attendees on advancing these shared values across diverse international contexts.
The event reflects Oman’s continued emphasis on cultural diplomacy as a pillar of dialogue, peace and international understanding, consistent with its longstanding approach of fostering cooperation and constructive engagement at both regional and global levels.
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