#OmanPride: New public library to focus on history of Oman

More sports Monday 07/November/2016 21:40 PM
By: Times News Service
#OmanPride: New public library to focus on history of Oman

Muscat: A public library, specialising in Oman’s history was inaugurated on Monday at the Al Rawahy Complex in Al Wattayah by His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture in Oman.
Located on the second floor of the complex, the library is open to the public and mainly consists of books and manuscripts in the Arabic language; however, there is also a section where books in English can be found.
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Besides books, there are also manuscripts and letters from important times in the history of Oman. Several old letters, and ancient artefacts from Omani history, have also been placed all across the library to reflect what’s in the books.
Traditional headdresses, sandals, guns, handicrafts and chests have also been placed in the library among other Omani items.
The inauguration was attended by Sheikh Aflah Al Rawahy, the honorary consul of Belgium and the chairman of the Al Rawahy Group of Companies. The complex will house a public library, the Honorary Consulate of Belgium and showrooms and offices of the companies owned by Al Rawahy Holdings.
Sayyid Haitham congratulated Al Rawahy Holdings LLC on taking up this initiative of setting up a public library in Wattayah. He stressed upon the need for all citizens to be proud of their heritage and culture and hoped that this library would give everyone a chance to connect with the illustrious history of the Sultanate of Oman.
Speaking on the occasion at the opening of the Library, Sheikh Aflah bin Hamed bin Salim Al Rawahy, the chairman of Al Rawahy Holdings LLC, highlighted some features of the public library, saying, “The library contains over 3,000 books and some very old, rare manuscripts that have been preserved by our grandfathers for centuries. In addition to this we have also displayed many artefacts that will remind us of our rich culture and heritage.”
He added that Arabic calligraphy has been an art practiced by many members of the Al Rawahy family; and the library will give visitors a chance to see some examples of classical Arabic calligraphy.