Unesco recognition of influential national figures celebrated

2026-02-10 - 16:48

Muscat – Oman on Tuesday celebrated influential national figures included in Unesco’s Programme for the Celebration of Anniversaries of Important Events and Influential Personalities, alongside ongoing efforts to collect, document and preserve Omani literature and the works of distinguished thinkers whose intellectual legacy spans centuries. The occasion reflects sustained national initiatives to present Omani cultural heritage on international platforms, strengthen the sultanate’s engagement with Unesco programmes, and highlight Omani cultural symbols globally. It also underscores the role of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science in enhancing Oman’s cultural and civilisational standing worldwide. H E Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Culture at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, said Oman has documented more than 30 influential figures through biographies and specialised studies examining their intellectual and cultural contributions. Of these, nine figures have been included in Unesco’s programme, which marks centenaries or 50th anniversaries of major historical events and globally influential personalities. H E Busaidi said the achievement is the result of sustained institutional work, including specialised cultural research, academic seminars on prominent Omani figures, and cooperation among relevant bodies. These efforts, he added, have helped expand the reach of Omani scholarship at local, regional and international levels. Busaidi stressed that in-depth research into the lives of these figures contributes to consolidating Omani identity and documenting its historical depth. “This provides younger generations with a reliable knowledge base from which they can draw inspiration while engaging with their heritage from a contemporary perspective,” he said. Dr Mahmoud bin Abdullah al Abri, Secretary of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, said the inclusion of Omani figures in Unesco’s programme recognises their intellectual, scientific and cultural contributions to humanity. “This reflects an authentic Omani belief that culture and knowledge are bridges between peoples, and that cultural heritage is a shared responsibility to preserve for future generations,” he said.