Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs described the International Symposium on Oman-Yemen's Civilizational Exchange organized by the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) as one of the most important ones being held as it gathers the two sisterly countries who share ancient history and bright future. These relations are useful for future generations, he added.
Addressing the Symposium which was attended by Hamed bin Mohammed al Rashdi, Information Minister, bin Alawi said that studies and researches have a historical, economic and political value. He emphasized the importance of the debates between the participants which will strengthen the relations between the Sultanate and Yemen.
The Symposium which is organized by the Omani Studies Centre aims at serving both the Omani and Yemeni sides, identify the Omani-Yemeni researches conducted in the scientific and cultural areas, aspects of the civilizational exchange at the economic, the cultural and social fields. It also highlights the areas of knowledge and sciences achieved by the Omani and Yemeni peoples for humanity.
Dr. Mohsin bin Hamoud al Kindy, Director of the Omani Studies Centre and chairman of the Symposium's Organizing Committee stressed the importance of the symposium as it promotes the research cooperation considering the neighborhood and joint history featured by the early immigrations.
For his part, Dr. AbdulWahid al Nabawi, in his speech which he delivered on behalf of 'Ja'mat Al Zahar' or 'Al Azhar University' said that the Symposium is features historical contact between both countries which is based on common culture, eventful history and common interests between the two countries.
Dr. Ali Mansour, Chairman of History and Archeology Society in the AGCC states and Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Bahrain University for Community Service and Graduates Affairs, in his speech, described the relations between Yemen and the AGCC countries as deep-rooted in history. Yemen is considered as a strategic depth for the Arabian Peninsula and the Arabian Gulf, he added.
The Symposium addresses several themes including the social, the Geographic and joint history, the Cultural and Economic.
Two Plenary Sessions were held today. The first one was chaired by Sheikh Salim bin Nassir al Maskary, Secretary General of the Higher Education Council and Chairman of the Omani National Museum at the Heritage and Culture Ministry. Five different working papers were presented.
The second Plenary Session which was chaired by Dr. Saif bin Mohammed al Ramadhani, Assistant Secretary General for Information and Research Affairs and Head of the Media Committee at the State Council discussed five different working papers most importantly the political relations between Oman and Yemen in the 'Himyari Time' in the fourth and sixth centuries, the scientific relations between Yemen the Omani Dhofar between the sixth and eighth Hiji Centuries.
