Center of Omani Research and Studies
Center Activities
First: Scientific Forums and Conferences
The Center organized seventeen scientific forums in partnership with the Office of the Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Oman Studies Center at Sultan Qaboos University. These forums can be summarized as follows:
First Scientific Forum:
Held in April 2001, with the participation of 27 researchers, under the title “Omani Heritage: Past and Present.” Its proceedings were published in a printed book.
Second Scientific Forum:
Held in May 2002, with the participation of 20 researchers, under the title “Sources of Omani History.” The forum aimed to introduce the sources of Omani history, present academic studies on these sources, and highlight their significance among the sources of Arab-Islamic heritage. Its proceedings were published in a printed book.
Third Scientific Forum:
Held in April 2004, with the participation of 35 researchers, under the title “Transformations in Modern and Contemporary Omani Society.” The forum addressed political, economic, social, and educational development; contemporary Islamic jurisprudential interpretations; Oman’s foreign relations; and the status of women in Oman. Its proceedings were published in a printed book.
Fourth Scientific Forum:
Held in May 2005, with the participation of 34 researchers, under the title “Oman’s Foreign Relations in the Twentieth Century.” The forum aimed to examine the distinctive relations between Oman and its regional and international surroundings at the political, economic, and social levels, reflecting the principles of Omani foreign policy during the reign of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, may he rest in peace. Its proceedings were published in a printed book.
Fifth Scientific Forum:
Held in July 2006, with the participation of 56 researchers, under the title “The International Symposium on Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad Al-Farahidi.” It was organized as part of the cultural activities held by the Sultanate of Oman on the occasion of Muscat being selected as the Arab Culture Capital for 2006. The symposium addressed the life and scholarly legacy of the Omani scholar Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad Al-Farahidi and his contributions to the development of Arabic language and literature. Its proceedings were published in a printed book.
Sixth Scientific Forum:
Held under the title “The International Symposium on Al-Awtabi Al-Suhari,” with the participation of 45 researchers. It included papers addressing Al-Awtabi’s personality, intellectual thought, and legacy, as well as his contributions to Islamic jurisprudence, history, language, and literature. Its proceedings were published in a printed book.
Jordanian-Omani Relations Symposium:
Held in December 2008. The symposium addressed papers on Jordanian contributions to the modern Omani renaissance in the military, economic, and media fields. It also featured testimonies from Jordanian figures who had worked in the Sultanate of Oman.
Seventh Scientific Forum:
Organized in 2009 under the title “Ibn Duraid Al-Azdi,” with the participation of 109 researchers. The papers presented covered various aspects of Ibn Duraid’s life and personality, as well as his contributions to Arabic language, history, and genealogy. Its proceedings were published in a printed book.
Eighth Scientific Forum:
The symposium “Waqf in Oman: Past and Present” was organized in cooperation with the Oman Studies Center at Sultan Qaboos University in 2010. It addressed the institution of Waqf and its foundations in Omani heritage, as well as contemporary developments in Waqf. Its proceedings were published in a two-volume book.
Scientific Forum:
Held on 11–12 October 2011 under the title “Omani-Maghrebi Cultural Interaction in the Modern Era.” More than 70 researchers and scholars from 16 Arab and Islamic countries participated. The forum explored the various dimensions of cultural interaction between Oman and the Maghreb countries, beginning with scholars and correspondence between Imams and extending to the efforts of institutions and individuals, while highlighting the cultural dimension of Omani-Maghrebi relations.
Ninth Scientific Forum:
Held on 10–11 July 2012 under the title “Suleiman Pasha Al-Baruni and His Presence in Omani Culture.” The forum brought together 90 scholars and researchers representing 27 Arab and Islamic academic institutions. Their papers examined the life of Sheikh Suleiman Pasha Al-Baruni, including his upbringing, scholarly and political life, presence in Omani culture, travels, and scholarly works and political correspondence. Its proceedings were published in a printed book.
Tenth Scientific Forum:
Held on 14–15 April 2014 under the title “Al-Mubarrad Al-Azdi: His Scholarly Contributions and Critical Works.” More than 70 researchers participated. Their papers addressed Al-Mubarrad’s position in Arabic grammar, literary and critical studies, and Qur’anic readings, while shedding light on important aspects of his life and personality, as well as the views of early scholars regarding his intellectual contributions and works. Its proceedings were published in a printed book.
Eleventh Scientific Forum:
Held on 28–29 July 2015 under the title “The Contemporary Literary and Linguistic Movement in Oman.” Fifty researchers participated, addressing various literary and linguistic works, including poetry, short stories, novels, literary criticism, and linguistic studies. Its proceedings were published in a printed book.
Twelfth Scientific Forum:
Held on 15–16 November 2016 under the title “The Specificity and Sources of Terminology in Omani Cultural Heritage.” The forum brought together 64 researchers and included papers addressing the sources of Omani terminology, internal and external influences that contributed to its development, and efforts to document Omani terminology in both the past and present.
Thirteenth Scientific Forum:
Held on 18–19 November 2018 under the title “The Cultural and Civilizational Heritage of the Sultanate of Oman: Between Authenticity and Modernity.” The forum was attended by 52 researchers and covered historical heritage, heritage properties and collections, linguistic studies, and the role of institutions in studying and protecting Omani heritage.
Fourteenth Scientific Forum:
Held on 19–20 July 2022 under the title “Omani Manuscripts: Cataloguing, Editing, and Studying — Current Reality and Future Prospects.” The forum was attended by 52 researchers and included papers covering various aspects of the conference themes.
Fifteenth Scientific Forum (Conference):
Held on 6–7 May 2024 under the title “Political Heritage among Omanis: Between Theory and Practice.” The forum brought together 38 researchers from several Arab and foreign countries. The papers addressed the theoretical and intellectual framework of Omani politics, the Omani political experience in its historical heritage, and political values in Omani heritage.
Second: Specialized Lectures and Short Seminars
The Center hosts professors and specialists in various fields of knowledge. These events are attended by interested faculty members, specialized researchers, experts, and Jordanian and Omani students studying at Al al-Bayt University in both Jordan and Oman.
The Center has also recently adopted the option of holding lectures remotely, utilizing the electronic services available in the His Eminence Sheikh Allama Ahmed bin Hamad Al-Khalili Hall in the Unity Building.
In this context, the seminar “Oman through the Eyes of Its Jordanian Visitors” represented a culmination of the scientific activities organized by the Center on the occasion of the National Day of the Sultanate of Oman. The seminar was held on 20 November 2023, in the presence of His Excellency the Omani Ambassador and members of the Embassy.
