Sayyid Asa’ad presides over opening ceremony of IFJ’s 31st Congress

Muscat: His Highness Sayyid Asa’ad bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs, Personal Representative of His Majesty the Sultan presided over the official opening ceremony of the 31st Congress of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre yesterday.

The conference will last for four days. The inaugural ceremony was attended by a number of their highnesses, ministers, undersecretaries, heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the Sultanate, officials and international journalists.

During the ceremony, Sayyid Asa’ad bin Tarik Al Said opened the photography exhibition accompanying the event organised by the Oman Journalists Association.

The exhibition displays photos depicting the cultural and heritage potentials of the Sultanate, the developments witnessed under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.

The ceremony included a moment of silence in memory of late journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, reporter of Al Jazeera TV Channel in Palestine.

Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Araimi. Chairman of Oman Journalist Association gave a speech in which he appreciated the world’s trust vested in the Sultanate for hosting this event.

He also spoke on civil freedoms cemented by the Basic Law of the Sultanate which reaffirmed the compliance of institutions and individuals with such freedoms.

He also stated that the Sultanate supports all international agreements which guarantee the safety and protection of media and press work.

He said that the Sultanate’s hosting of the conference stems from the confidence of the International Federation of Journalists vested in the Sultanate coupled by OJA efforts in expanding the international alliance among journalists worldwide.

A documentary was shown on the history of press and journalism in the Sultanate of Oman since the establishment of the first newspaper in East Africa and the developments witnessed in the world press.

The opening ceremony also saw the announcement of the Sultanate’s proposal for the competition of the best international news photo.

His Highness Sayyid Asa’ad honoured the sponsors of the event including the government establishments and private sector companies.

The event concluded with a commemorative gift to His Highness Sayyid Asa’ad, the sponsor of the ceremony.