The activities of the exhibition for museums and private heritage houses, organized by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) in collaboration with the Oman Across Ages Museum in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, have begun. The exhibition, titled "Cultural Assets from Museums and Private Heritage Houses," will run from August 26 until September 26 under the auspices of H.E. Eng. Ibrahim Saeed Al Kharusi, Undersecretary of the MHT for Heritage.

This initiative aims to open promotional windows for museums and private heritage houses, highlight their efforts, and raise awareness among the local community about the importance of these museums in preserving the national heritage. Additionally, it seeks to enable future generations to understand the aspects of Omani civilization and national heritage identity. These museums play a vital role in cultural and economic aspects, serving as sites for learning, research, and innovation, while also contributing to the preservation of national identity, enhancing cultural awareness within the community, and providing job opportunities for Omani youth.

Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Mansoori, Director of the Department of Museums and Private Heritage Houses at the MHT, stated that the Ministry has announced that the exhibition will feature 11 licensed museums from different governorates in the Sultanate of Oman, including Bait Al Zubair Museum, Bidiya Museum, Bait Al Ghasham Museum, Madha Museum, Gateway of the Past Museum, Nizwa Museum, Sharaf House, Generations Continuity Museum, Bait Adam Museum, Bait Al Minzifa Museum, and Al Hamra Currency Museum.

He explained that the number of licensed museums and privateheritage houses stands at 19, while the number of applications that have been granted initial approvals is 20. These are distributed across various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman and are currently in the process of completing the remaining procedures and requirements for licensing.

Dr. Al Mansoori clarified that, according to the Cultural Heritage Law, a private museum is a place where archaeological, heritage, historical, scientific, cultural, natural, and artistic artifacts, among others, are displayed for the purpose of study, research, public service, and community cultural development. A private heritage house, on the other hand, is defined as a historical building owned by private institutions or individuals, showcasing the heritage artifacts specific to the area in which it is located. He added that the Department of Museums and Private Heritage Houses continually monitors the administrative and technical aspects of these museums and heritage houses by guiding their owners before and after the final licensing. This is to ensure the importance of implementing the regulations outlined in the Regulation Governing Museums and Private Heritage Houses, issued by Ministerial Decision No. 262/2010, and to ensure compliance. The Department also works to align the operations of these museums with the provisions of the regulation and conducts regular visits to monitor their administrative and technical status.

Dr. Al Mansoori pointed out that museums and private heritage houses are an important and active part of the museum sector. The Ministry, in collaboration with several relevant entities, licenses various types of museums with the aim of preserving, safeguarding, and promoting the diverse elements of the cultural heritage of the Sultanate of Oman. Additionally, there are efforts by citizens who research, collect, and preserve many aspects of this rich heritage by establishing their own museums. They believe in the importance of these treasures for maintaining and promoting them to future generations as a national identity symbolizing the heritage and culture of the Omani people.

The Director of the Department of Museums and Private Heritage Houses explained that when organizing an exhibition for a museum or private heritage house, it is essential to adhere to important museum display standards. These standards include organizing artifacts and display cases systematically, ensuring that walkways are free of obstacles, and placing display cases on stable supports or bases. Additionally, artifacts should be categorized by type or according to a specific pattern, with each type receiving the appropriate display method. It is crucial to secure and protect artifacts from human factors and environmental conditions such as damage, theft, humidity, fire, dryness, sunlight, and dust. Proper lighting, whether natural or artificial, should be used, and identification labels for displayed items must be provided. The exhibition should also employ modern display techniques and advanced technology to present the museum's collections in an engaging manner for visitors. Furthermore, it is important to determine the capacity for visitors in each exhibition hall and to ensure security measures are in place for the artifacts, visitors, and staff of the museum orprivate heritage house.

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