Lebanese President Visits National Museum, ROHM and Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Lebanese President Tours Key Cultural Landmarks in Muscat

Muscat: President General Joseph Aoun of the Lebanese Republic and his accompanying delegation today visited the National Museum as part of his official visit to the Sultanate of Oman.

Upon arrival, the Lebanese President was received by Jamal bin Hassan Al Moosawi, Secretary General of the National Museum. The guest toured the museum’s galleries and sections, where he listened to detailed briefings highlighting significant periods in the history and civilization of the Sultanate of Oman.

The visit began at the Maritime History Hall, where the President viewed a model of the Muscat Armed Baghlah, the largest commercial and transport vessel in the Arabian Gulf and one of the most elaborately decorated traditional Arab ships.

In the Land of Frankincense Hall, he viewed Omani and Armenian incense burners loaned from the History Museum in Armenia, showcasing the cultural significance of frankincense in Armenian heritage. He also visited the Prehistory and Ancient Ages Hall, where he saw the oldest known Omani incense burner dating back nearly two millennia BC—one of the masterpieces of the ancient Magan civilization.

At the Grandeur of Islam Hall, in the section devoted to Religious Understanding and Tolerance, the President examined the second edition of the Holy Bible printed in 1960 by the Paulist Press in Harissa, Lebanon. This copy was gifted to the Late Sultan Qaboos bin Said by “Gregory III,” Patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, during his visit to Oman in April 2006.

The President also explored the Oman and the World Hall, where he learned about the historical dimensions of Omani–East African relations—particularly with the Sultanate of Zanzibar—and viewed the Dictionary of Sharia, the largest encyclopaedia of Ibadhi jurisprudence and the first publication of the Sultanic Press in Zanzibar.

In the Renaissance Era Hall, the Lebanese President visited the section dedicated to the Late Sultan Qaboos bin Said and viewed the original text of “Letter No. 1,” addressed by the Late Sultan to members of the Royal Family via the Defence Council.

He later toured the Land and People Hall, where he reviewed artefacts reflecting the depth of historical relations between Oman and Lebanon. These included letters exchanged between Lebanese intellectuals and the Sultans of Zanzibar regarding book donations and permissions to print the newspaper Al Iqbal, a box of commemorative coins gifted by former Lebanese President General Emile Lahoud to the Late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, as well as a collection of Lebanese educational books from the 1960s.

At the conclusion of the visit, President General Joseph Aoun signed the VIP guest book, expressing appreciation for the museum’s role in strengthening cultural cooperation and fostering the continuity of friendly relations between the two countries.

Visit to the Royal Opera House Muscat

The Lebanese President also visited the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM), where he toured its halls and facilities and received a briefing on its programmes, technical capabilities and world-class equipment. He also observed the architectural richness of the building, which harmoniously blends Omani cultural heritage with international architectural influences.

At the end of the visit, the President signed the VIP guest book, expressing admiration for ROHM’s cultural role and architectural splendour.

Visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

The delegation proceeded to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, where the President listened to an explanation on the mosque’s architectural elements, construction history and the diverse Omani and Islamic design features reflected in its structure. He also toured various facilities, including the library and lecture hall.

At the conclusion of the visit, the Lebanese President signed the guest book, praising the mosque’s outstanding architectural design and its role in promoting Islamic studies.

President General Joseph Aoun was accompanied during the visits by Dr. Mahad bin Said Ba’owain, Minister of Labour and Head of the Mission of Honour.