Preservation of Rare Omani Manuscripts: A National Project Highlighting Oman's Intellectual Heritage
Muscat, 30 Jun (ONA) – The documentation and preservation of rare Omani manuscripts stand as one of the most significant national projects showcasing Oman's intellectual heritage. These manuscripts hold a rich cultural treasure that revives the history of ancestors and chronicles the stories that shaped Oman's identity and ancient legacy across different eras.
In an interview with Oman News Agency (ONA), Nasr Nasser Al Busaidi, Head of the Documentation and Inventory Department at the Directorate of Manuscripts in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, emphasized that the preservation, printing, and dissemination of Omani manuscripts are among the most vital national projects highlighting Oman's intellectual heritage. "This effort is not confined to Oman’s borders but extends worldwide," he said. He noted that several influential Omani figures have been recognized by UNESCO, including the linguist Al-Khalil bin Ahmad Al-Farahidi (inscribed in 2005) and the physician and pharmacist Rashid bin Umaira Al-Rustaqi (inscribed in 2013).
Al Busaidi explained that the manuscript preservation process at the ministry’s Directorate of Manuscripts is meticulous and labor-intensive, aiming to restore the original text as written by authors centuries ago. Manuscripts undergo multiple stages before being fully documented: upon receipt, they are sterilized to protect handlers from potential hazards caused by fungi, age, and humidity. They are then manually restored, reinforced, cataloged, and digitally scanned to prevent loss. Digital copies facilitate access for researchers while the originals are stored in specialized climate-controlled archives to ensure long-term preservation, he pointed out.
He stressed that Oman’s intellectual heritage must be safeguarded for future generations. With advanced technology, the directorate has successfully documented and published a vast number of manuscripts and encouraged researchers to contribute. The ministry adopts qualifying works for publication based on the manuscript’s significance and the quality of its documentation. Since the directorate’s establishment in 1976, nearly 400 titles have been published, and over 6,000 manuscripts across various fields have been archived, he noted.
Al Busaidi highlighted that all departments within the directorate collaborate on this monumental national project to preserve, promote, and globalize Oman’s intellectual heritage, underscoring its role in Islamic civilization. This is achieved through international exhibitions and widespread dissemination. Oman possesses its oldest manuscript, dating back over 900 years, containing jurisprudential correspondences and biographies of Omani scholars, set for release at the next Muscat International Book Fair. Another notable work, the “Encyclopedia of Bayan Al-Shara”, a landmark Omani jurisprudential compendium, took over five years to document and reflects Oman’s contributions to Islamic legal sciences.
Omani manuscripts are distinguished by their vibrant colors and exquisite Arabic calligraphy, rendering them artistic masterpieces beyond historical texts. They form an inseparable part of Oman’s cultural and historical identity, reflecting the nation’s engagement with the world through the ages. Their preservation reinforces this cultural legacy for generations to come.
—- Ends/AH
