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MHT makes statement on citizen possessing rare meteorite

MHT makes statement on citizen possessing rare meteorite

Observer13-07-2025
Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) has issued a clarification regarding rumours circulating about a meteorite piece.
An official statement said, 'The ministry has followed up on recent social media reports about a citizen in possession of a piece suspected to be a rare meteorite.
The ministry has begun contacting him and collecting the sample. It has since been found that the information circulating is tainted with some inaccuracies and is not based on accurate scientific evidence.'
The Ministry calls upon all citizens and residents who possess geological heritage samples, or suspect that they possess a meteorite sample to take the initiative to hand them over to the Ministry or the directorates/departments of heritage and tourism in the governorates.
It stressed the need to refrain from possessing or transferring any component of geological heritage, to avoid legal accountability, under the provisions of the Cultural Heritage Law issued by Royal Decree No. (35/2019), which is considered public property of the Sultanate of Oman.
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Possession, trade of meteorites prohibited by law in Oman
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Muscat Daily

time13-07-2025

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Possession, trade of meteorites prohibited by law in Oman

Muscat – The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has issued an official clarification regarding a meteorite sample that was recently circulated on social media and other platforms, stating that the information shared was scientifically inaccurate and lacked proper verification. According to the Ministry, the individual in possession of the sample was contacted and the item was subsequently handed over to the relevant authorities. Upon review, the Ministry confirmed that the details surrounding the sample's identification and origin were inconsistent with established scientific standards. The Ministry took the opportunity to remind all citizens and residents that any samples believed to be part of Oman's geological heritage, including meteorites, must be submitted to the Ministry or its branches across the various governorates. It further emphasised that geological heritage is considered public property under the Cultural Heritage Law (Royal Decree No. 35/2019). As such, the possession, trade, or unauthorised transfer of meteorites or any related geological specimens is prohibited by law, and individuals found in violation may be held legally accountable. The Ministry urged the public to engage with official institutions when discovering unusual rocks or heritage materials, and to refrain from spreading unverified claims to avoid misinformation and potential legal consequences.

MHT makes statement on citizen possessing rare meteorite
MHT makes statement on citizen possessing rare meteorite

Observer

time13-07-2025

  • Observer

MHT makes statement on citizen possessing rare meteorite

Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) has issued a clarification regarding rumours circulating about a meteorite piece. An official statement said, 'The ministry has followed up on recent social media reports about a citizen in possession of a piece suspected to be a rare meteorite. The ministry has begun contacting him and collecting the sample. It has since been found that the information circulating is tainted with some inaccuracies and is not based on accurate scientific evidence.' The Ministry calls upon all citizens and residents who possess geological heritage samples, or suspect that they possess a meteorite sample to take the initiative to hand them over to the Ministry or the directorates/departments of heritage and tourism in the governorates. It stressed the need to refrain from possessing or transferring any component of geological heritage, to avoid legal accountability, under the provisions of the Cultural Heritage Law issued by Royal Decree No. (35/2019), which is considered public property of the Sultanate of Oman.

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