العربية
Sohar University, represented by the Al-Owtabi Center for Cultural and Heritage Studies, organized a cultural heritage event titled “Arabic Manuscripts: Study and Preservation” under the patronage of Dr. Hamdan bin Suleiman Al-Fazari, the university vice chancellor, on February 11-12, 2025, on the university campus. The event targeted students, researchers, and those interested in the field of cultural and heritage studies and Arabic manuscripts.
Sohar University has contributed to enriching scientific research, preserving cultural heritage, enhancing academic cooperation, and integrating technology into education through the organisation of this event, reflecting its commitment to providing high-quality education and contributing to the intellectual and cultural development of the community. This, in turn, reflects and enhances Sohar University’s strategic plan for academic excellence in the student experience, in addition to scientific research and innovation.
The event began with the opening of the Arabic Manuscripts Exhibition under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, which showcased important examples of Arabic manuscripts. This was followed by an international seminar titled “The Reality of the Arabic Manuscript and Its Care”. Professor Abdelbasset Quader, participated in it, where he spoke about the importance of manuscripts and the old and modern traditions in editing manuscripts with an advanced methodology derived from modern methods that lead to new results. He emphasized the necessity of being aware that not every manuscript can be edited, as there are conditions that must be met before dealing with any manuscript. Quader pointed out that there are many types of manuscripts, including hybrid, historical, illustrated, and fragmented.
Al-Owtabi Center also organized a specialized training course on the verification of Arabic manuscripts for faculty members and a number of graduate students under the title “Mechanisms and Methods of Manuscript Verification in the Sultanate of Oman.” The course was presented by Dr. Nasser bin Ali Al-Nadabi, Assistant Professor of History at Al-Sharqiyah University. He highlighted the efforts of the Sultanate of Oman in verifying and cataloging manuscripts, praising the many national institutions that focus on manuscripts and their cataloging, and directing researchers to verify dozens of manuscripts that are still waiting for a scholar to work on them.
This event reflected the pioneering role of Sohar University in promoting scientific research and preserving cultural heritage. It also provided a comprehensive knowledge platform for researchers and students to learn about the latest methodologies in manuscript studies. These efforts are part of the university’s commitment to provide high-quality education and contributing to the intellectual and cultural development of the community.