Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman today joined other countries of the world in observing International Museum Day, which falls on 18 May every year. This year, the event took the theme "Museums Unite a Divided World." Organized by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) since 1977, International Museum Day aims to raise public awareness about museums as institutions offering opportunities for cultural exchange, enriching cultures, and fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among peoples of the world.
According to Oman News Agency, on this occasion, countries strive to present events and activities that engage members of the public with the aim of highlighting the importance of museums as institutions that serve societies and contribute to their development. In Oman, special programmes were organized at local museums, including Oman Across Ages Museum, the National Museum, Al Zubair Museum, and the Natural History Museum. The programmes included guided tours that focused on the role of museums as venues for documenting Oman's historical relations with the world, the role of maritime trade in connecting peoples and the values of tolerance and coexistence that marked Omani history.