A delegation from Sharjah, headed by Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations (DGR), discussed strengthening cultural cooperation with Omani government officials during a recent visit to the Sultanate. The Sharjah delegation was received by HE Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism and representatives of government agencies in the Sultanate.

The Omani side welcomed the Sharjah delegation, affirmed the strong historical relations between the UAE and Oman, and praised the emirate’s efforts under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in stimulating the cultural movement as bolstering the emirate status on the global cultural map.

The visit aligns with the emirate’s ongoing mission to foster and strengthen cultural relations between Sharjah and cities worldwide. The Sharjah delegation comprising Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Heritage Institute; Alia Obaid Al Khayal, Curator of the Sharjah Archeology Museum; Nasir Al Darmaki, Museums Strategic Planning Department Manager at Sharjah Museums Authority, Ahmed Salem Al Bairaq, Director of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage’s Institutional Communication Department; and Muhammad Abdullah Al Juwaied, Director of the Academic Department, Sharjah Heritage Institute, visited many Omani cultural and historical monuments.

The delegation visited Oman’s National Museum, Bait Nader and Bait Muzna, which highlights the historical roots of Muscat, in addition to Al Mirani Fort, the Omani French Museum and Bait Jreizah. The Sharjah delegation also visited Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate, where they toured the market and Nizwa Fort, in addition to Jabreen Castle and Al Jabal Al Akhdar.

The Sharjah delegation also visited Oman’s Authority for National Documents and Archives, the Royal Opera House, and the House of Musical Arts, which provided a unique opportunity to explore Oman’s rich history and cultural heritage through viewing historical documents and collectables.

Commenting on the visit, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of DGR, said: “The strong bonds between Sharjah and Oman are built on a solid foundation of common historical, geographical, cultural, and social ties. This visit, among others, strengthens relations between the emirate’s cultural, knowledge and creative institutions and their Omani counterparts and paves the way for developing a series of initiatives that promote knowledge and tourism movement and support work between both sides to explore ways to support the cultural sector and to document and study heritage.”

In December, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi received a high-level delegation headed by Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Omani Minister of Heritage and Culture and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum; in the presence of Dr. Sayyed Ahmed bin Hilal bin Saud Al Busaidi, Sultanate of Oman Ambassador to the UAE; and Alya Alkhayyal, Curator of Sharjah Archaeology Museum.