
Community event in Muscat to promote reading culture
The initiative was held at the Association headquarters in Al Amerat.
The event was held in the presence of Dr Yousuf al Nadabi, Director of the Educational Supervision Department, and Younis Al Hooti, Senior Learning Resources Supervisor, and it brought together students from schools across the wilayat, along with teachers, parents and representatives from the local community.
Organised by learning resources specialists from various schools in the governorate under the supervision of Nasra bint Mohammed Al Oufi, Learning Resources Supervisor, the initiative aimed to foster a culture of reading within both school environments and the wider community.
It also sought to enhance students' skills in knowledge acquisition and innovation, while highlighting the role of learning resources centres in supporting education in line with Oman Vision 2040.
The event featured a range of educational and interactive corners designed to engage participants of all age groups, including the Young Reader's Corner, Omani Author's Corner, Omani Encyclopedia, Free Reading and Drawing, Educational Games, Creative Workshops, Special Needs, Artificial Intelligence and Technology Corner, and E-Knowledge Corner.
Each corner offered enriching activities that combined learning with creativity and entertainment, contributing to the development of students' reading habits, critical thinking, and independent learning skills.
Nasra al Oufi noted that the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to create a dynamic and modern reading environment by positioning learning resource centres as key components of the educational process.
'We aim to connect students with knowledge through engaging and contemporary methods,' she said.
The event was well received by attendees, who commended the diversity of content and the overall quality of the event.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Observer
14-07-2025
- Observer
Oman leads in marine conservation and sustainability
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman has placed paramount importance on protecting and sustaining its marine environment, diligently safeguarding it through a series of well-considered initiatives and policies. With an extensive coastline spanning approximately 3,165 kilometres, Oman is home to a rich biodiversity that includes coral reefs, seabirds, fish and endangered species such as sea turtles, whales and dolphins. The Environment Authority is tasked with developing environmental strategies and plans to protect coastal and marine ecosystems. It conducts scientific studies and research to address environmental challenges such as pollution, overfishing and climate change, in alignment with the priorities and programmes of Oman's Environmental Strategy and Oman Vision 2040. Eng Ahmed bin Said al Shukaili, Director of the Marine Environment Conservation Department at the Environment Authority, stated that Oman has implemented numerous projects in this field, most notably the Artificial Coral Reefs initiative. This project aims to rehabilitate damaged coral reefs, enhance biodiversity, support sustainable fishing and protect coastal areas. He added that Oman places great emphasis on international cooperation in marine conservation, participating in global environmental agreements and programmes such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, which focuses on preserving biodiversity and ensuring its sustainable use. This contributes to strengthening Oman's efforts in addressing global environmental challenges related to oceans. In line with its international commitments, Al Shukaili pointed out that Oman fulfils its obligations by submitting national reports to regional and global conventions, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and the Indian Ocean Sea Turtle Memorandum of Understanding. Additionally, Oman has intensified efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade while raising public awareness through educational campaigns and workshops to engage citizens and residents in marine conservation. He highlighted the Environment Authority's national efforts represented in protecting endangered marine species through environmental laws and regulations, such as the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Law and the Natural Reserves and Wildlife Conservation Law. These laws safeguard beaches, marine life and sensitive ecosystems like coral reefs and mangroves, while regulating the discharge of liquid and solid waste into marine and coastal environments. He explained that the Environment Authority has also undertaken coral reef rehabilitation projects in collaboration with national entities, including the strategic placement of decommissioned military equipment and concrete structures to create suitable habitats for coral growth and marine organism reproduction. Furthermore, it conducts an annual Marine Pollution Monitoring Project, sampling water and sediment along Oman's coastline - from Musandam to Dhofar - to measure pollutants such as heavy metals and hydrocarbons, providing critical data on marine pollution levels, particularly near industrial ports. He further said that advanced tracking technologies are being utilised to monitor marine species, particularly whales and sea turtles, by tagging them to study their behaviour, feeding grounds and migration patterns. This year marks the final phase of the Whale and Dolphin Survey Project in Musandam Governorate, which will inform a national management plan for marine mammal protection. Dr Amer bin Nasser al Matani, Chairman of the Environment Society of Oman (ESO), highlighted the strong partnership and ongoing collaboration between the Society and the Environment Authority in research, studies and projects since the Society's establishment in 2004. In a statement to ONA, he noted that the Society is currently implementing four marine conservation projects: Whale and Dolphin Studies and Conservation, Sea Turtle Studies and Conservation, Coral Reef Studies and Conservation, and Awareness Programmes on the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve. He added that the Society conducts extensive awareness, education and outreach activities targeting all segments of society, providing research findings to the Environment Authority for integration into environmental policies. The Authority ensures the Society's participation in national environmental committees, fostering collaboration between government and civil sectors. Al Matani emphasised that Oman's marine environment faces multiple threats, including natural hazards like cyclones, climate change and rising sea temperatures, as well as human-induced challenges such as overfishing, bycatch, plastic pollution, oil spills, acoustic pollution and irresponsible tourism. He pointed out that ESO plays a pivotal role in raising environmental awareness, educating the public on the importance of preserving ecosystems and biodiversity for current and future generations. Oman's waters host globally significant marine species, many of which are endangered, prompting the Society to launch community engagement initiatives that foster environmental responsibility. He said that the Society conducts scientific studies on critical marine habitats and endangered species, proposing conservation measures and policy recommendations for implementation by relevant authorities. It also spearheads initiatives to shift public behaviour, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas like Masirah Island and the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve. He added that through school programmes, university collaborations and community outreach, the Society promotes environmental stewardship among fishermen, farmers, women's associations and local communities. Its awareness campaigns, developed in partnership with public and private institutions, empower individuals to protect their environment, livelihoods and future. The Sultanate of Oman continues to enhance the management of marine reserves, recognising their vital role in safeguarding biodiversity amid growing threats from climate change, pollution and overfishing. The Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve, a key habitat for sea turtles, coral reefs and migratory seabirds, stands as a testament to these efforts. - ONA


Times of Oman
13-07-2025
- Times of Oman
Monday column: Do we still need to read books?
I walked in a college's library and there were at least a 100 hundred students in it. Then I looked at the shelves that had a few thousand books gathering dust. A short walk to the librarian confirmed that students never borrow books. They go to the library to memorise their class notes so they could pass the exams. Some, use the library to socialize and plan a day out. In defiance of their attitude, I browsed a few titles and picked one that fitted my mood. I settled myself on the sofa and started reading the opening chapter. I lost myself in the next forty minutes mesmirised by the flow of words, the clever phrases, the stirring of emotions and the touching gestures of its characters. When I put down the book, it was as if I abandoned people I had known for years. Before I left the library, I looked at the students again. The one who was nearest me looked up at me and asked,' Sir, is everything alright?' I think she caught the mood on my face. I mumbled something to assure her that everything was okay and left quietly. I cast my thoughts years ago when I was only 12. To say books were a second nature to me would be an exaggeration. I breathed on the sentences I read, I smelled the dampness of the old covers and heard every rustle of the pages I turned. When I was tired of reading, I would rest the book on my stomach, closed my eyes only to pick it up again minutes later. A book to me was a time transporter, a vehicle to unreachable places, a float above the clouds and I could also touch the rainbow on the sky. I do not understand why youngsters of today find no use of literature. No wonder they cannot express themselves on a simple thing. It is not about reading words and learning to write a decent sentence but a book goes beyond a delightful read. It is about learning other people's cultures, the innermost emotions and how to cope with similar situations in real life. Nothing is really fiction when it has been printed in a book. Every word written in a novel reflects real people from the world of imaginary characters. It is not just fiction I buried my nose in. I used to read biography of famous people, too. Through reading, I walked the same difficult paths with them , enjoy the same views from the tallest peaks of the world, crossed the pacific and felt their pain or joy in their emotional rollercoasters. By the time I reached my late teens, reading had prepared me mentally what to expect in the adulthood years that were waiting for me. The teenagers of today miss all that. They enter their adulthood unprepared. They do not know how to turn disappointments into triumph or tame their feelings in a difficult moment. Above all, they cannot relate to each other and end up breaking up friendships because they would not know how to tolerate each other. I would not be exaggerating either when I say young people today do not know how to fix their marriages when it is heading for the rocks. In workplaces, they end up doing badly and miss promotion opportunities because they lack the communication skills. It may only mean that reading, sometimes, may well be a matter of failure and success in life. But having said that, maybe it is not entirely their fault. Parents who do not read raise children who would not read. Teachers also should take some of the blame, too. No point of having libraries if they do not instill enough values in their students to read. In conclusion, reading is simple a torch that shines to the hidden intellectuals of growing up children. It is a pity they don't know about it.


Observer
06-07-2025
- Observer
'Our Safe Home' initiative to promote cohesive society, family stability
Suhar: The General Directorate of Social Development in Al Batinah North Governorate has officially launched the 'Our Safe Home' initiative, aiming to strengthen family bonds and promote societal stability. The event, hosted at Al Khaleej Hall in the Wilayat of Saham, was held under the auspices of Dr Khalid bin Ali al Alawi, General-Director of Consumer Protection in the governorate, and was attended by community leaders, social specialists and local families. This initiative reflects the Ministry of Social Development's broader commitment to fostering a cohesive, resilient society, which is one of the key pillars of Oman Vision 2040. By supporting family well-being and raising awareness of evolving social dynamics, the programme contributes directly to the Vision's priority of empowering human capital and safeguarding the identity and unity of Omani society. Three impactful presentations were featured at the launch. The first, "Red Flags," delivered by Mohannad al Jahwari, focused on early indicators of family distress and the importance of early intervention. The second, "Generation Z in a World of Comparisons," presented by Thuraya al Qartoobi, tackled the pressures faced by young people, especially those stemming from social media, peer comparison, and identity development. The final presentation, "Digital Upbringing in a Rapid World," by Laila al Mazrouei, discussed how digital life is reshaping parenting methods and communication within families. A closing panel discussion moderated by psychologist Ali al Zadjali offered further reflection on how Omani families can adapt to rapid societal and technological changes. The event witnessed a wide range of attendees, proving the popularity of the concepts discussed. Alia al Balushi, a mother from Saham, said, "It gave me real insight into the digital world my children are growing up in." Salim al Hosni, a university student, added, "Hearing professionals talk about our generation's struggles made me feel supported and understood." By launching such initiatives, the ministry contributes meaningfully to the goals of Oman Vision 2040, building a socially secure, mentally resilient, and future-ready nation.