Program & Event Highlights: 2007

One World - Unity with Elegance
It is not often that fashion and interfaith are mentioned in the same sentence, but in March the South African Embassy sponsored a major fashion show, highlighted by a dance troupe flown in from South Africa, to promote unity and cooperation between cultures and religions. The proceeds were directed to Al Amana to be used to promote interfaith and intercultural cooperation.

Anglican Delegation visits Oman
A delegation representing the largest Episcopal churches in the United States visited Oman (the Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion), along with representatives from Cambridge University's Inter-faith Programme. The delegation represented influential leaders who see Muslim-Christian relations as important in the U.S., U.K., and in international relations. They are seeking ways to use their leadership and influence to promote interfaith cooperation for the common good. Meetings were held with Oman's leadership to affirm their desire to work together.

A New Group of Graduate Students
The third group of graduate students arrived from Western Theological Seminary. They spent ten days learning about Oman. One of the top comments from students in reflecting upon their experience was that it is difficult to realize the degree that negative stereotypes influence you until you come and see what it is really like. The students used the opportunity as a chance to increase their understanding of the culture and religion so that as religious leaders they can help correct the misunderstandings people have about the region.