President João Lourenço of the Republic of Angola, his spouse and their accompanying delegation on Friday visited the National Museum, within the context of the current visit to the Sultanate of Oman.
The President and the accompanying delegation were received by Jamal bin Hassan al Mousawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum, and some officials of the museum.
During the visit, President Lourenço and his delegation toured the museum and its galleries, receiving a detailed overview of its collections, showcasing significant aspects of Omani history and civilisation.
While touring the Maritime History Gallery, the guest viewed models of Portuguese ships and artefacts recovered from a ship wreckage of Vasco da Gama’s fleet and reviewed the publication of Kitāb al-fawāʼid fī ilm al-baḥr wa-al-qawāʼid (The Book of the Benefits of the Principles and Foundations of Seamanship), Ḥāwīyat al-ikhtiṣār fī uṣūl ʻilm al-biḥār wa-al-arajiz, for the Omani navigator Ahmed bin Majid al Saadi. The book reveals a description of 'Angola' in one of its sections. The description includes indications that the Omanis may have reached 'Angola' before the Portuguese.
In the Prehistory and Ancient History Gallery, the guest took note of major historical time periods Oman has experienced, including the emergence of the copper-rich "Magan" civilisation during the Bronze Age in the 4th millennium BCE. He also explored the Omani Unesco World Heritage sites of Bat, Al Khutm and Al Ayn, that are considered some of the most inclusive settlements from the 3rd millennium BCE. Additionally, President of Angola was introduced to the international frankincense trade that flourished from the 3rd millennium BCE and the four archaeological sites associated with it and listed as Unesco World Heritage sites.
In Oman and the World Gallery, he explored artefacts reflecting Oman’s historical contributions to East Africa. He also toured the the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Corner in the Renaissance Gallery in the Renaissance Gallery, where he viewed the original Letter No 1 addressed by the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos to the esteemed members of the Royal Family Council through the Defence Council, alongside several other Royal artefacts.
President Lourenço continued the tour and visited the Cinema where he watched a video about the National Museum, its significance and the treasures of Oman’s history.
At the end of the visit, President João Lourenço recorded a letter in the Museum’s VIP registry, expressing his admiration for the artefacts and the testimonies of historical relations between Oman and East Africa.
Jamal bin Hassan al Mousawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum, presented a museum publication to the guest, entitled Kitāb al-fawāʼid fī ilm al-baḥr wa-al-qawāʼid (The Book of the Benefits of the Principles and Foundations of Seamanship), Ḥāwīyat al-ikhtiṣār fī uṣūl ʻilm al-biḥār wa-al-arajiz, for the Omani navigator Ahmed bin Majid al Saadi.
The President and his spouse were accompanied during their visit to the National Museum by Dr Said bin Mohammed al Saqri, Minister of Economy (Head of the Mission of Honour), Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, along and several members of the mission of honour. - ONA
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
