Documentary 'Mudirah' builds bridges between Oman, world

Observer

03-05-2025

Muscat: As part of its ongoing efforts to document cultural exchange and promote national identity, the National Museum launched the documentary 'Mudirah' last week as part of the 'A Story from Oman' series. The event also marked the inauguration of the Oman-Japan relations corner in the 'Oman and the World' gallery, under the auspices of Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals.
'A Story from Oman' is a cultural initiative launched and produced by Aisha Sahar bint Wahid al Kharousiyah, Cultural Adviser at the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Tokyo. The initiative documents inspiring stories of foreign individuals who have lived in Oman and made meaningful contributions to its society.
"This initiative aims to build bridges of human appreciation between Oman and the world by presenting stories of individuals who left a lasting legacy in cultural relations," Aisha said. She confirmed that the series would continue in the coming years with more inspiring stories that showcase Oman's spirit of coexistence, openness, and mutual respect.
The documentary 'Mudirah' tells the story of Dr Suad bint Mohammed bin Abdullah al Mudhafar, founder of Azzan bin Qais Private School, shedding light on her academic and cultural journey between Japan and Oman and her pioneering efforts in the fields of education and culture.
The event also marked the inauguration of the Oman-Japan relations corner in the 'Oman and the World' gallery.
Jamal bin Hassan al Moosawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum, stated: "The deep-rooted Omani–Japanese relations extend far into history and continue to thrive today. We are proud at the National Museum to commemorate these ties through the inauguration of a dedicated corner that showcases rare historical artefacts highlighting the richness of this relationship."
Among the exhibited items are personal possessions of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, including a set of Edo-period samurai armour from the noble Ishiko family, believed to date back over 300 years. The corner also displays a Japanese chair gifted to Sultan Turki bin Said in 1880 by Commander Itō of a Japanese naval vessel that docked in Muscat.
Hiroshi Serizawa, Ambassador of Japan to the Sultanate of Oman, praised the central figure of the documentary, saying: "I express my deep admiration for Dr Suad al Mudhafar, who appeared in this documentary so generously produced by Aisha. Despite my short time in Oman, I have been deeply impressed by Dr Suad's boundless energy and unwavering dedication."
Dr Hanan bint Abdulaziz al Kindi, Executive Director of 'Mudirah', explained the documentary's broader mission, saying: "This initiative is designed to reinforce the civilisational dialogue between Oman and the world while fostering human development by empowering young Omanis to participate in documentary production.