Ibrahim Project, June 7: Last thoughts in Oman & first thoughts in the U.A.E.

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[Note: After a long hiatus for the fall semester, I am finally resuming writing about my experience this summer; what our group saw and learned is as pertinent as ever, but as I’ve mentioned I also write largely in order to consolidate my own memories. Thanks for reading!]

← Previous: Ibrahim Project, June 6: Oman, from the mountains to the sea

This is part of a series of posts on my participation in the Ibrahim Leadership and Dialogue Project during June 2012.

Final moments and closure in Oman

During our final morning in Oman, we had one last meeting—breakfast with Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Salmi, who works at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and is one of the leading experts on Muslim-Christian relationships in the Middle East. In our discussion about interfaith issues, Dr. Al-Salmi described how Oman’s Port of Sohar was once a “Gate to the Oriental,” facilitating interaction and trade between Oman and various other countries and cultures during medieval times. He noted how, at that time, the country used to have a Jewish population that is largely absent now—although there is still considerable diversity in terms of Muslim sects. He also claimed that the Muttrah souq is emblematic of Oman’s diversity, as its shop-owners come from a large variety of religious backgrounds.

Continue reading Ibrahim Project, June 7: Last thoughts in Oman & first thoughts in the U.A.E.

Ibrahim Project, June 6: Oman, from the mountains to the sea

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← Previous: Ibrahim Project, June 5: A diplomatic ascent in Nizwa

This is part of a series of posts on my participation in the Ibrahim Leadership and Dialogue Project during June 2012.

The Green Mountain

The mountain at the top of which our hotel sat is called Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Arabic for “The Green Mountain.” After breakfast the next morning, we explored the area. It contains various villages, one of which we walked through: Al-‘Ayn. I took a LOT of pictures that day, and you can check out my Flickr if you’re interested in seeing the rest of these (or any other) photos—but I’ll just post the highlights here.

Continue reading Ibrahim Project, June 6: Oman, from the mountains to the sea

Ibrahim Project, June 5: A diplomatic ascent in Nizwa

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← Previous: Ibrahim Project, June 4 (Part 2): Politics & society in Oman

This is part of a series of posts on my participation in the Ibrahim Leadership and Dialogue Project during June 2012.

The University of Nizwa

After the concentrated, constant influx of information we’d received the previous day, our next excursion felt like the perfect repose. On our second day in Oman, we drove further into the interior to have lunch with some students and faculty at the University of Nizwa. The first non-profit university in Oman, the University of Nizwa is almost eight years old now. It was initially put in the place of an old school, but is currently building a new campus in a different location. Aesthetically, I think the original campus will do, but the plans for the new campus look amazing too.

We were greeted by some faculty members, Amanda and Brian, who took us to the place where we’d be eating lunch: the “male cafeteria.” It was a little surprising to see that there were two different cafeterias for men and women here—it’s probably not an unusual occurrence, but I had never considered eating arrangements in an Islamic context before. Later we noticed that in many rooms there were also separate entrances for men and women. I don’t know the reasons behind this design, but I’m inferring that it’s pretty representative of the people’s religiosity—measures like this probably reduce mingling, or, for the entrances, unnecessary physical contact. I wonder how strictly this separateness is observed (has anyone dared to sit in the wrong cafeteria, or do some people use whichever entrance is most convenient?), and it’s possible this just exists to respect the wishes of the people who are more strictly observant. But the select group of female students that we met, who sat in the male cafeteria with us, were clearly willing to talk and open up to the boys in our group. Also, men and women still sit together in classrooms at the school—though that situation may be viewed differently, as the classroom is primarily for learning, and having men and women in the same classes probably assures that they get the same quality of education. And that’s great—I think that’s a very realistic, moderate application of those values.

Continue reading Ibrahim Project, June 5: A diplomatic ascent in Nizwa

Ibrahim Project, June 4 (Part 2): Politics & society in Oman

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← Previous: Ibrahim Project, June 4 (Part 1): Omani religion at the Grand Mosque

This is part of a series of posts on my participation in the Ibrahim Leadership and Dialogue Project during June 2012.

Lunch with leaders of Oman’s past and present

As the baisa bus drove us to our next meeting, the rest of the students and I were a bit confused about what was happening. The itinerary wasn’t set in stone to begin with, but some things had just been moved around, leaving us pretty unaware about what to expect of our next stop. The driver pulled up to what looked like someone’s home—a very large home, at that—and we were greeted by an Omani man who gestured for us to come inside. Our eyes grew huge in amazement at the palace before us. I’ve seen many large homes and mansions, but this was practically royal in its grandeur. We later learned that we were sitting in the home of H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Salim Al-Rowas, a former minister in the Omani government. Joining us was Richard Baltimore, former U.S. Ambassador to Oman, and Jihan Abdullah Mohammed Al Lamki, a news anchor on Oman TV and member of the National Human Rights Commission (Jihan’s adorable son joined us as well). After introducing ourselves and enjoying a few fresh fruit smoothies, the other girls and I moved to the other side of the room to converse with Jihan.

Continue reading Ibrahim Project, June 4 (Part 2): Politics & society in Oman

Ibrahim Project, June 4 (Part 1): Omani religion at the Grand Mosque

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← Previous: Ibrahim Project, June 3: Student introductions & arrival in Oman

This is part of a series of posts on my participation in the Ibrahim Leadership and Dialogue Project during June 2012.

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

The entrance to the Grand Moque.

Driving through Muscat on our first night I noticed a huge, lit-up structure, impossible to miss from any angle—even from the sky (I could see it from the airplane as well). This was the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, ordered to be built in 1992 by then-and-current Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said Al Said. Building started in 1995, and in 2001, only six years later, this impressive structure was completed.

So of course, on Monday morning, we hopped on a baisa bus (an inexpensive transportation service named after Oman’s smallest denomination of currency, the baisa) to begin our trip by visiting this beautiful house of worship.

Continue reading Ibrahim Project, June 4 (Part 1): Omani religion at the Grand Mosque

Ibrahim Project, June 3: Student introductions & arrival in Oman

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← Previous: Ibrahim Project, June 2: Primer on Israel/Palestine before takeoff

This is part of a series of posts on my participation in the Ibrahim Leadership and Dialogue Project during June 2012.

The 2012 Ibrahim Project Fellows

I did not make this trip alone; the people with whom I traveled were hugely important to my experience, including the gains in my knowledge and understanding. They each brought something different to the table, asked important questions and made significant insights. And on a personal level, we bonded quickly, sharing stories and laughs, forming real friendships. Thus, I could not continue writing without introducing the other five students who were fellows on the 2012 Ibrahim Leadership and Dialogue Project in the Middle East.

Continue reading Ibrahim Project, June 3: Student introductions & arrival in Oman