Islamic culture meet begins
His Highness Sayyid Haitham said that the conference is also a tool for cultural dialogue that achieves peace and builds a common democratic culture
MUSCAT: The main aim of celebrating Islamic cities as cultural capitals is to revive their cultural and scientific contributions to the building of the present and future, His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture, has said.
He said this while addressing the 9th session of the Islamic Conference for Culture Ministers began, at the Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa on Monday.
The conference was chaired by His Highness Sayyid Haitham, in the presence of Dr. Abdulaziz bin Othman Al Tuwaijri, director general of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO), ministers of culture from the Islamic world and heads of delegations of countries.
The Sultanate is hosting the three-day conference as part of its programme to celebrate Nizwa as the capital of Islamic culture. The conference is based on the theme, “Towards Intermediary Developmental Culture for the Advancement of Islamic Societies”.
Major role
The selection of the theme of the conference was in line with the major civilised role being played by the Sultanate in disseminating the culture of peace and harmony, rejecting extremism and hatred among various nations.
Sayyid Haitham said that celebrating Nizwa as the capital of Islamic culture in 2015 was a way to recognise its historic, cultural and religious importance throughout the ages. During this year, light has been shed on Nizwa, as well as the role of its scholars, in the building of Omani and Islamic culture and history.
Besides celebrating Nizwa as the capital of the Islamic culture, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Benin are also marking Almaty and Cotonu, respectively as two other capitals of Islamic culture in 2015.
Sayyid Haitham also pointed out that Saudi Arabia had hosted the 8th session of the event, based on the theme, “To Enhance Cultural Rights in the Islamic World to Serve Islamic Dialogue”.
The session had contributed to implementing the cultural strategy of the Islamic world and electing the Consultative Coun- cil in-charge of implementing this strategy.
Tool for cultural dialogue
He also pointed out that the 9th session’s theme included important aspects that integrate the developmental moderate culture and allow cultural moderation, which provide a wide scope for multiculturalism and cultural diversity. It is also a tool for cultural dialogue that achieves peace in the society and builds a common democratic culture that contributes to approximating views among the countries of the world.
Eyad Madani, secretary general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said organising the 9th session of the Islamic Conference for the Ministers of Cul- ture is very appropriate as Muscat has been witnessing the contribution of the Sultanate towards enhancing Islamic culture and its interaction with other cultures.
He pointed out that the role played by the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) and the Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre of Culture and Science (SQHCCS) showcased the priority accorded by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to Islamic culture and His Majesty’s wise leadership.
Sustainable goal
Dr Abdulaziz Al Tuwaijri, director general of ISESCO delivered a speech, during which he pointed out that organising the 9th session of the Islamic Conference for Culture Minsters, reflected the interests of the Islamic world in the sustainable comprehensive development post the United Nations’ adoption of the new development goals for the 2016-2030 period.
The panel discussion covered the main themes on the agenda. The heads of the delegations also delivered their national reports and highlighted the efforts made by their countries to implement the Cultural Strategy of the Islamic world.
Chairmanship
During the conference, the Sultanate was also accorded the chairmanship of the 9th session of the Islamic Conference for Culture Minsters from the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .