Sohar: Acting in partnership with Sohar University in North Al Batinah Governorate, Ishraq Foundation for Press and Publishing today organized a symposium titled 'Omani identity as a national pillar: Protecting cultural constants in a changing World'. The symposium was held under the auspices of Sayyid Said bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports, and attended by academics, researchers, and education experts across the Sultanate of Oman.

According to Oman News Agency, the symposium included working papers discussing various facets of national identity and its interaction with intellectual, cultural, and media transformations. It emphasized the crucial role of education and national institutions in fostering and promoting the national identity amid a rapidly changing world.

The event examined the evolving meanings and functions of national identity while elaborating on how cultural openness influences values and behavior. Discussions also highlighted the significant impact of digital media and platforms on collective awareness and cultural identity, underscoring the need for educational curricula and institutional initiatives to enhance national belonging and safeguard Omani society's cultural uniqueness.

At the symposium's conclusion, participants issued several recommendations aimed at strengthening the presence of national identity in educational curricula and cultural programs. They emphasized developing a national media discourse that raises awareness about cultural constants and called for activating partnerships among institutions in education, media, and cultural affairs to foster balanced social awareness.

Further recommendations included supporting youth initiatives that promote 'national belonging', particularly by utilizing digital spaces to create purpose-driven national content that preserves Omani identity while keeping pace with contemporary developments.