President of Algeria visits NM

Muscat: President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria on Wednesday visited the National Museum within the framework of his current state visit to the Sultanate of Oman.

Upon his arrival, President Tebboune was welcomed by Jamal Hassan al Moosawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum, along with several museum officials.

During his visit, the Algerian President viewed an object in the Land and the People Gallery, that symbolises the strong ties between the Sultanate of Oman and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria. This artefact features a curved sword, known as a "Katara," gifted to the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said by the Algerian President Liamine Zeroual in 1997.

President Tebboune toured the Museum, and explored its galleries while receiving a detailed explanation of the Museum’s collections that highlight significant aspects of Omani history and civilisation. The most notable of these Galleries include the Land and the People, the Maritime History, Civilisation in the Making, and Aflaj.

The guest continued his tour in the Maritime History Gallery, and viewed a model of “Muscat armed Baghla," the largest decorated trading and cargo ship in the Arabian Gulf. Additionally, he explored a Museum publication titled "Maritime Sciences Collection," which is a study of the manuscript "Collection of Manuscripts on the Benefits of Maritime in the Science of the Sea and Rules" by Omani navigator Ahmed bin Majid as-Saadi.

President Tebboune later watched a documentary titled “Oman the Jewel of the East in the Land of Hope”.

Throughout the tour, President Tebboune viewed a model of Bahla Fort, which is the first Omani site listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1987, Moreover he looked at the Omani aflaj irrigation system and its types in the Aflaj Gallery.

At the end of his visit, President Tebboune recorded a letter in the Museum’s VIP registry in which he expressed his admiration of the items displayed in the National Museum which reflect Oman’s history and culture. He also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the museum’s staff.

During his visit to the National Museum, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was accompanied by Saud Hilal al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat (Head of the Mission of Honour).