العربية
Ishraq Press and Publishing, in partnership with Sohar University, organized the Third Scientific Symposium titled “Omani Identity as a National Pillar: Protecting Cultural Constants in a Changing World” on Thursday, 14 May 2026.
The event brought together a distinguished group of academics, researchers, educators, opinion leaders, and individuals interested in cultural, educational, and media affairs.
The symposium was organized in response to the growing interest in issues of national identity amid rapid global transformations driven by globalization, digital openness, and the knowledge revolution. These developments have resulted in cultural, intellectual, and social changes that have significantly influenced patterns of awareness, behavior, and values, particularly among young people. The symposium aimed to discuss the challenges facing Omani national identity and explore ways to strengthen it through education, media, and national institutions, thereby safeguarding cultural constants and reinforcing national belonging.
The event aligns with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which places significant emphasis on national identity and Omani culture as fundamental pillars for developing Omani citizens and ensuring sustainable national development. It also reflects the vision of His Majesty Haitham bin Tariq, who has consistently emphasized the importance of preserving Oman’s cultural and civilizational heritage and strengthening national identity among youth while keeping pace with modern developments and maintaining the distinctive characteristics of the Omani personality and its historical and cultural foundations.
The symposium featured several scientific papers addressing national identity and its associated intellectual, cultural, and media transformations. In his paper titled “The Role of Education and National Institutions in Strengthening National Identity,” Prof. Saif Al Maamari highlighted education as one of the most important pillars in building identity and instilling values of belonging and awareness among generations. He explained that educational institutions play a role beyond knowledge transfer, extending to the development of national character capable of protecting cultural constants and engaging thoughtfully with contemporary digital and intellectual transformations.
Across its two scientific sessions, the symposium addressed several themes related to the concept of national identity, the evolving meanings and functions of identity, the impact of cultural openness on values and behavior, and the role of digital media and social networking platforms in shaping collective awareness and cultural identity. It also discussed the importance of educational curricula and institutional initiatives in promoting national belonging and protecting the cultural uniqueness of Omani society.
At the conclusion of the symposium, participants issued a number of recommendations, most notably strengthening the presence of national identity within educational curricula and cultural programs, developing a national media discourse that promotes awareness of cultural constants, enhancing partnerships among educational, media, and cultural institutions to build balanced social awareness, supporting youth initiatives that reinforce national belonging, and utilizing digital platforms to deliver meaningful national content that preserves Omani identity while keeping pace with contemporary developments.