“A
Travel Ticket to Oman”: An Exciting Journey for Children Through Omani
History

Muscat,
15 Sep (ONA) — Omani history represents a cultural treasure rich with stories
and tales that need to be reintroduced to new generations in an accessible and
engaging language. From this perspective comes the book “A Travel Ticket
to Oman: Tales from Omani History” by author Ahmed bin Nasser Al Rashdi,
published by the Omani Red Fox Library. Through this work, the author aims to
present a collection of historical stories directed at children and adolescents
using a compelling narrative style that connects the past with the present.

Author
Ahmed bin Nasser Al Rashdi explained that reproducing and writing vivid scenes
and stories from the history of Oman for children and young people is an urgent
necessity. Library shelves lack books that convey Omani and Arab children the culture
and civilization of Oman. Although there are some titles and publications by
Arab writers about Oman, they often lack accurate information, and the
illustrations included do not truly reflect its environment, nature, and
heritage.

He
noted that the main motivation for writing this book came from questions he
received from parents and teachers searching for books on Omani history
tailored for children, so they could read and summarize them for cultural
competitions. This inspired the idea for the book, and he began developing
plans to complete and author it.

He
pointed out that he collected and documented the historical stories he read
about Omani personalities and maritime and terrestrial environments, among
other topics included in the “Omani Encyclopedia for Young People.”
He chose to reinterpret tales of Omani sultans and their cultural achievements,
such as the establishment of the Sultanate Printing Press, the printing of
books, and the construction of culturally significant transcontinental ships,
through this book.

He
emphasized that large and voluminous history books have seen declining
readership due to the preoccupation of educators in both homes and schools with
visually captivating technological and social media distractions. These books now
primarily attract researchers and specialized scholars. He stressed the
importance of making history accessible to school students, children, and
adolescents through engaging and dazzling publications in both style and
presentation, or through radio, television, YouTube, podcasts, and other tools
that resonate with contemporary children. Telling stories of a bright history
filled with goodness and glory gives children cultural confidence, instills
loyalty and belonging to their homeland, and empowers them to defend it with
awareness, eloquence, and courage in the future, as they become aware of their
cultural significance.

The
author affirmed that most of the book’s stories are linked to the achievements
of Omani sultans, highlighting their cultural role in spreading Omani culture.
It was also essential for these stories to be connected with other countries to
emphasize that Oman is a nation of peace that has culturally and civilizational
engaged with civilizations and peoples worldwide. Examples include the story of
Sultan Taimur bin Faisal Al Said’s visit to Japan in 1937, where he printed the
divan of the royal family poet Saeed bin Muslim Al Majizi in Osaka, and the
story of Sultan Barghash bin Said bin Sultan, who drew inspiration for the
Sultanate Printing Press project in Zanzibar during his stay in Egypt as a
guest of its ruler Khedive Ismail Pasha in 1875, when he visited the Amiri
Press in Cairo. Another story recounts the late Sultan Qaboos Rose, when the
World Rose Society in the Netherlands decided to honour his legacy by naming a
rose variety after him in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace and
protecting the environment, among other tales from New York, Singapore, London,
and Muscat.

Since
the book is aimed at children, it was essential to blend historical accuracy
with the spirit of engaging storytelling. The author mentioned that he is an
avid reader of children’s books, especially those translated into Arabic, and
he benefited from the experiences of writers in presenting history to children
and adolescents. He found that the technique of personifying inanimate objects
is highly engaging and captures the attention of contemporary young readers.
For instance, a story could be told from the perspective of the ship “Sultana”
as it sails across oceans to deliver a message of peace from Sultan Said bin
Sultan to the United States 185 years ago, or from the viewpoint of the
“Oasis Omani Restaurant” founded by the hardworking young man
Mohammed bin Omar Eidid from Dhofar on a street in New York, which Sultan
Qaboos visited in 1972, promising to return. Other narratives could be voiced
by the newspaper Al-Falaq or the book “The Refinement of Eyes and Minds in
the Journey of the Sultan of Zanzibar.”

The
author noted that the “Omani Encyclopedia” was the primary source he
relied on for writing this book, describing it as a magnificent and great
volume and a rich cultural treasure. He also referenced works and articles by
Nasr Al Busaidi, as well as websites such as the “Jewel of Muscat
Ship” site, which features images and stories of sailors’ adventures on
the ship, in addition to oral narratives from radio programs and YouTube
channels. This year-long research journey through these sources aimed to
provide enriching reading content for school students in Oman and the Arab
world.

Regarding
the role this book plays in introducing new generations to Omani history, the
author emphasized that its impact extends beyond distribution in bookstores
within and outside Oman or marketing at Arab book fairs. It also includes
translating it into other languages and activating it through reading workshops
and sessions in libraries, clubs, schools, and cultural centers. He also
highlighted the potential to expand its impact through interactive workshops
that bring these stories to life in theatrical performances or cartoon
productions, enhancing the presence of Omani history in the consciousness of
the youth in an enjoyable and vibrant manner.

—
Ends/Khalid