On November 22, 2021, the exhibition “Oman seafarers: Ahmad ibn Majid as-Sa'adi” featuring a manuscript from the IOM RAS was opened at the Maritime History Gallery, the National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman (Muscat). The institute has sent to this temporary exhibition a manuscript from the Arabic collection, a convolute of the early 16th century with sailing directions in poetic form by the Arab seafarer Ahmad ibn Majid as-Sa'adi (ca. 1421–ca. 1500).

One of the organizers of this exhibition was His Excellency Secretary-General of the National Museum of Oman, Mr. Jamal al-Musawi, who has put great effort into making this exhibition a success.

The exhibition takes place under the patronage of His Excellency Salim al-Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman and Chairman of the National Museum's Board of Trustees. Irina F. Popova, Director of the IOM RAS, Doctor of Sciences in History, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, participated in the opening ceremony, gave a lecture titled “The jewels of the Arabic collection kept at the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts of the Russian Academy of Sciences” and told about the history of the collection of Oriental manuscripts and development of Oriental studies in Saint Petersburg.

The manuscript from the IOM RAS collection will be on exhibition until March 15, 2022.

PHOTOS

Opening of the exhibition at the Maritime History Gallery, the National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman (Muscat)

Photos provided by Mr. Badra b. Amira al-Kharusi