The curtain came down on the Records Exhibition in Kuwait

The curtain came down on the Records Exhibition in Kuwait

Coinciding with the 6th International Conference on “Omani Relations in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf”, The Records exhibition which was organized by National Records and Archives Authority from 11 to 16 December 2017 at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center in Kuwait was concluded. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, Emir of Kuwait, and was attended on his behalf by Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah, the Deputy Minister of Emiri Diwan Affairs and a number of Excellencies and diplomatic personalities from both countries. The exhibition aimed at enhancing the culture of research and knowledge and familiarizing the countries of the region with the historical and cultural role of Oman as well as the role of NRAA in preserving the historical heritage and informing the countries of the world of the great role played by the Sultanate throughout the ages.

This records exhibition included many different sections that mirror the history of the Sultanate of Oman. It displayed more than 300 records and a number of pictures and maps in addition to a collection of 25 ancient Omani manuscripts dating back to different historical eras and reflecting the bright aspects of Omani civilization in various fields of jurisprudence, history, language, Quranic sciences, sea sciences, medicine, astronomy, astrology and other humanities. The exhibition also featured Oman’s relations with world countries in addition to the maps of the Omani commercial routes and coasts and maps of the cities. It contained pictures of official visits between the Sultanate of Oman and Kuwait and the relationship between the two countries in addition to a number of pictures that reflect the two countries’ relations in the developmental aspects, friendly meetings, visits and brotherly meetings. It also shaded light on some historical articles published in the international newspapers about Oman, its sultans and social life, and the diplomatic and friendly relations between Oman. The exhibition displayed Omani diplomatic ties with the Indian Ocean countries, the Gulf the rest of the world besides the conventions, treaties and many more.

The records exhibition presented the history of Oman through the successive stone ages and pre-Islamic and post-Islamic periods ending with the subsequent political developments and through the advent of the Nabnai dynasty, the first Ibadi imamate and the second imamate in addition to presenting pictures of developmental life in Oman in various economic fields and archaeological sites and tourism. The exhibition has ten sections:

Omani-Kuwaiti Relations

This section contains a collection of pictures on Omani-Kuwaiti bilateral relations including pictures of the visit of H.M. Sultan Qaboos bin Said to the State of Kuwait, pictures of the visit of H.H. Amir of Kuwait to the Sultanate along with other pictures of friendly meeting and brotherly visits.

Oman Over History

This section displays the history of Oman since it was settlement in the Stone Ages that attracted ancient inhabitants whose early existence is proved by the remains and excavations found in Oman. This section also displays Oman history through post-Islam and Islamic periods including the political changes occurred afterward and the advent of Al-Nabhani State and the first and second Ibadhi Imamates.

Omani Existence in East Africa

This section displays a historical brief on Omani presence in East Africa including the activities of Sultans of Zanzibar, their management of state matters, their organization of internal and external affairs and their role in establishing a developed state that reached its utmost advancement in various life aspects. It also contains the maps showing trade and navigation routs between Oman and East Africa, newspaper and magazines on clove trade and plantation.

International Relations

This section displays a set of records featuring the diplomatic and friendly ties between Oman and the Indian Ocean and other countries. It also sheds light on presents, official visits, exchange of orders, receptions of presidents and ambassadors, signed agreements and treaties between Oman’s Imams and Sultans on one side and the rulers and presidents of other countries on the other.

Coins and Postal Stamps

This section displays some coins and postal stamps that recorded some events and landmarks in the history of the Sultanate and gives a brief on Omani currency development.

Maps and Drawings

Maps and Drawings

This sections shows a number of maps showing the extension of Omani kingdoms throughout history, the important maritime routes and the areas of the world trade movement at the time were displayed in this corner, as well as some of the drawings and newspaper clippings that spoke about Oman and Zanzibar and some of the landmarks of Oman and Zanzibar.

Manuscripts

These showcases contain original records to enable the visitors to be acquainted with the Omani records in term of their nature, fonts, decorations and the types of paper and ink used on them. The topics of these records vary in arts and knowledge related to jurisprudence, history, language, Quranic sciences, sea science, medicine, astronomy, astrology and other humanities.

National Records & Archives Authority (NRAA)

This section gives a brief on NRAA, its  fields, achievements, roles in preserving Omani heritage, mission represented in preserving the national memory of the country, and the early efforts toward building a new modern records and archives system.

NRAA Publications

The records exhibition has a section of NRAA’s publications including Researches and Surveys (12 Parts), booklets, publications, books, leaflets and brochures along with the types and styles of Arabic handwritings. This section also shows some documentary videos about Omani-Kuwaiti relations, the ship “Muscat Jewel” that was made without using any metal materials and sailed for five months full of challenges, adventure and conflicts with the horrors of the sea and weather fluctuations to reach its last terminal in “Cable Bay Port” in Singapore. In addition to the NRAA’s documentary “Memory of Nation”.

Development in Oman

This section sheds light on the distinct geographical location of the Sultanate of Oman, landmarks of modern Oman renaissance, development projects, rich tourism elements besides a set of pictures on various agricultural, economic, social and folklore activities.