First ticket of museum issued to His Majesty Sultan Haitham, presented as gift to the museum to be added to its collection

Manah – His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik presided over the official opening of the Oman Across Ages Museum in Manah, Dakhliyah, on Monday.

Upon His Majesty the Sultan’s arrival at the museum, he was received by Nasr Hamoud al Kindi, Secretary-General of Royal Court Affairs, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the museum and Chairman of the Main Committee of the museum project, members of the Main Committee and director general of the museum.

Then, His Majesty headed to the museum’s memorial plaque, where he switched on the light of the plaque, marking the official opening of the museum.

His Majesty the Sultan viewed a display of the foundation stone of Oman Across Ages Museum, passing by a vehicle that was used by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said when the latter laid the foundation stone of the museum.

After that, His Majesty the Sultan visited the Reception area, where the first entry ticket to the museum was issued to His Majesty the Sultan, who presented the ticket as a gift to the museum to be added to the museum’s collection.

His Majesty passed through the Arts Corridor to the National Day screen, the dimensions of which – 18m by 11m – symbolise the glorious National Day (November 18).

There, His Majesty the Sultan heard a speech delivered on behalf of the Main Committee of the museum project by Al Yaqdhan Abdullah al Harthi, Director General of the Museum.

Harthi said that the museum uses the latest technologies in its presentations and displays.

In his speech, Harthi said that the design of the museum’s building was inspired by the grandeur of the Al Hajar Mountains. He observed that the edifice is associated with the Omani environment through the type of materials used in its construction.

Harthi voiced the committee’s gratitude to His Majesty the Sultan for his constant support towards the accomplishment of this monument.

Then, His Majesty watched a familiarisation film about the Oman Across Ages Museum. The informative film outlined the architectural aspects of the museum and the use of modern interactive technologies employed in presenting ancient civilisations in a chronological sequence. It displays antiques from each era and chronicles the diverse facilities housed by the museum.

After that, His Majesty the Sultan toured the corridors of the museum. He heard a summary of the most prominent pavilions in the Gallery of History, the Gallery of the Blessed Renaissance and the Gallery of the Future.

His Majesty Sultan also visited the lecture hall and the ‘Ideas and Innovation Labs’ at the Knowledge Centre. There, he heard briefings on a number of innovations and student projects from schools of Dakhliyah governorate.

At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, His Majesty the Sultan received a commemorative gift from Oman Across Ages Museum. The gift – a scale model of the museum – was presented to His Majesty the Sultan by Secretary-General Kindi.

In a symbolic gesture, His Majesty the Sultan offered his own personal cane as a gift to the museum to be added to its collection.

Before leaving the premises of the museum, His Majesty was briefed about an ancient limestone rock from Wadi Lahjaij in Dhofar governorate that figured among the displays. The rock bears a set of primitive drawings.

The official opening ceremony was attended by Royal Family members, chairmen of State Council and Majlis A’Shura, ministers, heads of security and military units, and other officials and dignitaries.