Muscat: Omani history represents a cultural treasure rich with stories and tales that need to be reintroduced to new generations in an accessible and engaging language. From this perspective comes the book "A Travel Ticket to Oman: Tales from Omani History" by author Ahmed bin Nasser Al Rashdi, published by the Omani Red Fox Library. Through this work, the author aims to present a collection of historical stories directed at children and adolescents using a compelling narrative style that connects the past with the present.
Author Ahmed bin Nasser Al Rashdi explained that reproducing and writing vivid scenes and stories from the history of Oman for children and young people is an urgent necessity. Library shelves lack books that convey Omani and Arab children the culture and civilization of Oman. Although there are some titles and publications by Arab writers about Oman, they often lack accurate information, and the illustrations included do not truly reflect its environment, nature, and heritage.
He noted that the main motivation for writing this book came from questions he received from parents and teachers searching for books on Omani history tailored for children, so they could read and summarize them for cultural competitions. This inspired the idea for the book, and he began developing plans to complete and author it.
He pointed out that he collected and documented the historical stories he read about Omani personalities and maritime and terrestrial environments, among other topics included in the "Omani Encyclopedia for Young People." He chose to reinterpret tales of Omani sultans and their cultural achievements, such as the establishment of the Sultanate Printing Press, the printing of books, and the construction of culturally significant transcontinental ships, through this book.
He emphasised that large and voluminous history books have seen declining readership due to the preoccupation of educators in both homes and schools with visually captivating technological and social media distractions.
These books now primarily attract researchers and specialized scholars. He stressed the importance of making history accessible to school students, children, and adolescents through engaging and dazzling publications in both style and presentation, or through radio, television, YouTube, podcasts, and other tools that resonate with contemporary children. Telling stories of a bright history filled with goodness and glory gives children cultural confidence, instills loyalty and belonging to their homeland, and empowers them to defend it with awareness, eloquence, and courage in the future, as they become aware of their cultural significance.
The author affirmed that most of the book’s stories are linked to the achievements of Omani sultans, highlighting their cultural role in spreading Omani culture. It was also essential for these stories to be connected with other countries to emphasize that Oman is a nation of peace that has culturally and civilizational engaged with civilizations and peoples worldwide.
Examples include the story of Sultan Taimur bin Faisal Al Said’s visit to Japan in 1937, where he printed the divan of the royal family poet Saeed bin Muslim Al Majizi in Osaka, and the story of Sultan Barghash bin Said bin Sultan, who drew inspiration for the Sultanate Printing Press project in Zanzibar during his stay in Egypt as a guest of its ruler Khedive Ismail Pasha in 1875, when he visited the Amiri Press in Cairo.
Another story recounts the late Sultan Qaboos Rose, when the World Rose Society in the Netherlands decided to honour his legacy by naming a rose variety after him in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace and protecting the environment, among other tales from New York, Singapore, London, and Muscat.
Since the book is aimed at children, it was essential to blend historical accuracy with the spirit of engaging storytelling. The author mentioned that he is an avid reader of children’s books, especially those translated into Arabic, and he benefited from the experiences of writers in presenting history to children and adolescents. He found that the technique of personifying inanimate objects is highly engaging and captures the attention of contemporary young readers.
For instance, a story could be told from the perspective of the ship "Sultana" as it sails across oceans to deliver a message of peace from Sultan Said bin Sultan to the United States 185 years ago, or from the viewpoint of the "Oasis Omani Restaurant" founded by the hardworking young man Mohammed bin Omar Eidid from Dhofar on a street in New York, which Sultan Qaboos visited in 1972, promising to return. Other narratives could be voiced by the newspaper Al-Falaq or the book "The Refinement of Eyes and Minds in the Journey of the Sultan of Zanzibar."
The author noted that the "Omani Encyclopedia" was the primary source he relied on for writing this book, describing it as a magnificent and great volume and a rich cultural treasure. He also referenced works and articles by Nasr Al Busaidi, as well as websites such as the "Jewel of Muscat Ship" site, which features images and stories of sailors’ adventures on the ship, in addition to oral narratives from radio programs and YouTube channels. This year-long research journey through these sources aimed to provide enriching reading content for school students in Oman and the Arab world.
Regarding the role this book plays in introducing new generations to Omani history, the author emphasized that its impact extends beyond distribution in bookstores within and outside Oman or marketing at Arab book fairs. It also includes translating it into other languages and activating it through reading workshops and sessions in libraries, clubs, schools, and cultural centers.
He also highlighted the potential to expand its impact through interactive workshops that bring these stories to life in theatrical performances or cartoon productions, enhancing the presence of Omani history in the consciousness of the youth in an enjoyable and vibrant manner.