Special Lecture: Oman's History of Religious Diversity

Join Oman’s Ambassador to Australia, Saleh Al Rawahi, to explore Oman’s diplomacy on the Strait of Hormuz and its rich history of religious diversity and tolerance. Free registration. All welcome. Date & Time Thursday 29th October 5-6pm Venue: The event is offered in-person only in room 1.14 at the Centre for Arab & Islamic Studies (ANU) The Sultanate of Oman’s Stance on the Strait of Hormuz Oman has long engaged with careful diplomacy to resolve difficult issues in the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf. The current crisis in the region as a result of the US/Israel War on Iran and the subsequent closure of the strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint responsible for the transit of about 20% of world oil, has caused major global disruptions with global economic costs mounting. In this lecture, His Excellency Ambassador of Oman to Australia, Mr Saleh Al Rawahi, will shed light on the Sultanate’s position on the strait of Hormuz, its ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the standstill on Hormuz and prevent escalation in the region. The Sultanate of Oman’s history of religious diversity In this lecture, His Excellency Ambassador of Oman to Australia, Mr Saleh Al Rawahi, will examine the rich history of religious diversity in Oman enshrined in a long tradition of multiculturalism and religious pluralism. Most Omanis follow Ibadism, a distinct school of Islam that predates the Sunni/Shia split and that preaches moderation, tolerance, and communal consultation. The country is also home to Sunni and Shia Muslims, Christian and Hindu groups among others. This lecture will trace this rich history that has a lot to offer to multicultural societies like Australia.