Sayyid Haitham to visit Uzbekistan for Al Biruni library building opening

Muscat: As assigned by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said will leave here on Wednesday heading to the Republic of Uzbekistan to lead the Sultanate’s delegation taking part at the opening of the new building of Abu Al Raihan Al Biruni Library, scheduled to be held in Tashkent on Thursday.
Royal Orders
The Library is constructed in response to the Royal Orders of His Majesty the Sultan as recognition of the scientific contributions of science and scientists who played a great role in the service of religion sciences, jurisprudence, history, astronomy, mathematics, algebra and other sciences.
The Library includes many cultural treasures, old manuscripts and important Islamic and historic documents.
Official delegation
Sayyid Haitham will be accompanied by an official delegation comprising Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Salmi, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry, Mohammed bin Said Al Lawati, the Sultanate’s accredited ambassador to the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud Al Siyabi, Secretary General of the Office of the Sultanate’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Hamad bin Helal Al Ma’amari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture for Cultural Affairs, Habib bin Mohammed Al Riyami, Secretary General of Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science, Dr. Ali bin Saud Al Bimani, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) Vice Chancellor, Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al Dowayani, Chairman of the National Records and Archives Authority, Sayyid Faisal bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Advisor of the Minister of Heritage and Culture and Ambassador Ahmed bin Khamis Al Jamri, Head of the Central Asia Department at the Foreign Ministry.
Rare books
The library holds 26,000 manuscripts, in addition to more than 40,000 rare books, some of which date back more than 1,000 years. It includes notable and valuable works by Al Biruni himself.
The collection contains so many rare and important books that the library has been listed in UNESCO’s Register of World Heritage sites.
It also has modern facilities to make works available over the internet and to preserve manuscripts and books damaged through time.
The construction of the library building was a major contribution by His Majesty to preserve Islamic heritage and learning.
The far-sighted support of His Majesty will also ensure that Al Biruni’s tolerant and inclusive vision of Islam is promoted around the world.