Al Amana Centre Newsletter 11/2025

Director’s corner

The role of culture in the interfaith work

Greetings from Muscat Oman where it started to get a bit cooler. Reflecting on our recent programs with a group of 10 Palestinians and a group of 14 people from Finland I find it very interesting how amazed our guests become when they come to Oman and Al Amana Centre. They come knowing almost nothing about Oman and Omani culture and it surprises them to find out how peaceful and quiet it is in Oman.

Omani people and Omani culture are known to be very peaceful and friendly and this is one major factor that interfaith coexistence is practiced here. Some of the Palestinian guests kept asking me to speak loudly and I kept telling them this is not how we do it in Oman as it’s a sign of disrespect to people.

I realize that we can not separate the culture from the religion when we deal with interfaith dialogue and understanding. At Al Amana we believe in providing cultural experiences to our guests in order to understand the practicalities of the interfaith relationship between different communities and when we receive the feedback from our participants they stress the importance of these experiences in their learning journey. We will continue our mission of bringing people together and sharing experiences.

Mohammed Al Shuaili

Associate Director

Reflections from participants

The Al Amana Centre creates a tangible place that makes relationships across religious differences possible. As an international NGO placed in Oman, the Centre provides a healthy and safe place for connecting across differences. 

Read below impactful experiences about relationship building from three of our recent participants from Finland. Relationship building with Oman citizens and residents, within the group, and with AAC staff.

“Sitting down in peace with people from different religions and backgrounds. Sharing thoughts, hopes, challenges and dreams. Asking questions and finding what’s in common. A lot was common. Atmosphere of curiosity and respect.” – Emriikka

“We had so many important experiences that, the more I got to know about the culture, the more impactful they were. But the dinner with guests was very nice and the most natural way, at least for me, to get to know new people and be able to ask them questions. And of course the desert trip was fun, and a good ending to a wonderful week.” – Emma

“This week has been amazing, eye-opening and meaningful. I’ve learned, seen and felt a lot. I’ve made connections and hope that some of those will grow into beautiful friendships. If it would be possible this program and visit would be beneficial to so, so many people in my community. Thank you Al Amana Centre. And especially thank you Ina, Mohammed and Josh for taking care of us, feeding us, answering all our seven million questions, providing us all the diet coke and making us feel very welcomed and appreciated.” – Niina-Maarit