Symposium
to Highlight Dhofar History, Civilization

Muscat,
1 Sep (ONA) —- The National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) will
organize a symposium titled “Dhofar in the Memory of Omani History”
on 14 September 2025 in the Wilayat of Salalah.

The event will be held under the auspices of HH
Sayyid Marwan Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar.

The
symposium is a key milestone in the Authority’s series of academic events,
which have previously highlighted the history of Musandam, Al Buraimi, A’Dhahirah,
South A’Sharqiyah, and North Al Batinah. The Dhofar installment will focus on
its rich civilizational and human heritage, which spans thousands of years.

The
symposium will feature 33 working papers presented by researchers and academics
from Oman and abroad. The topics are divided into five main themes: historical
and political, economic and social, cultural and scientific, and documents,
manuscripts, and oral history.

These
papers aim to highlight Dhofar’s historical significance and its role in
shaping Omani and human identity. They will also explore the implications of
its strategic geographical location and the openness it fostered with
civilizations of the East and West. The symposium will also focus on ancient
caravan routes and trade journeys that originated from its plains and
mountains, making the land of frankincense an uninterrupted civilizational
bridge.

Over
three days, seven academic sessions will discuss various topics, including
political events, historical treaties, influential figures, economic and social
activities, aflaj and water resources, the role of women in society, the
scientific and intellectual output of Dhofar’s scholars and writers, defensive
fortifications, archaeological sites, and the documents, manuscripts, and oral
histories that preserve the collective memory of the region.

The
symposium aims to reinterpret the history of the governorate within a broader
civilizational context and educate future generations about its pioneering role
in human history. Dhofar, the land of frankincense, will remain a living
testament to the richness of the past and present and the enduring Omani
identity across time and place.

—Ends/AG