Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center
Encyclopedia
The Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center (SQCC) is a program of the Middle East Institute
(MEI), in cooperation with the Sultanate of Oman, to promote the understanding of the culture and heritage of Oman and the countries of the Arabian Peninsula
. Through programs in the United States
and the Gulf, the Center seeks to “educate a new generation of culturally sensitive and knowledgeable experts, scholars, diplomats, and politicians in each society.” The Center is headquartered in the Middle East Institute's offices in Washington, D.C.
SQCC’s focus of education about Oman’s cultural heritage is present in its programs aimed at both students and educators. SQCC has developed an interactive educational website called The Indian Ocean in World History, which tracks human interaction throughout the Indian Ocean region.
SQCC has also recently worked with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
on a dance production entitled OMAN...O Man!, which featured young Omani and American dancers. This production was conceived and directed by Debbie Allen
, with music by Arturo Sandoval
. It was commissioned by the Kennedy Center especially for their Arabesque Festival in March 2009 and was performed during the last four days of the three-week festival. Other programs include the Summer Institute on Oman and the Gulf, a lecture series aimed at university students who are working as interns in Washington; and the Embassy Visit Program, a unique opportunity for high school students visiting the nation's capital to visit the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman
. Educational materials for teachers and students are also available on the SQCC website; additional cultural programs include lectures, symposia, performances, speaker tours, and cultural immersion programs. The Center also offers internships for undergraduate and graduate university students.
H.E. Hunaina Sultan Ahmed Al Mughairy, Ambassador of Oman to the United States, serves as Chair of the SQCC Board of Oversight. Ambassador Elizabeth McKune serves as Executive Director, and Dr. Iman Al Busaidi is the Deputy Director in Oman.
Middle East Institute
The Middle East Institute is a non-partisan think tank and cultural center in Washington, DC. Founded in 1946, MEI is the oldest institution in Washington dedicated exclusively to the study of the Middle East. Its founder, architect and philanthropist George Camp Keiser, assembled a team of...
(MEI), in cooperation with the Sultanate of Oman, to promote the understanding of the culture and heritage of Oman and the countries of the Arabian Peninsula
Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula is a land mass situated north-east of Africa. Also known as Arabia or the Arabian subcontinent, it is the world's largest peninsula and covers 3,237,500 km2...
. Through programs in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the Gulf, the Center seeks to “educate a new generation of culturally sensitive and knowledgeable experts, scholars, diplomats, and politicians in each society.” The Center is headquartered in the Middle East Institute's offices in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
SQCC’s focus of education about Oman’s cultural heritage is present in its programs aimed at both students and educators. SQCC has developed an interactive educational website called The Indian Ocean in World History, which tracks human interaction throughout the Indian Ocean region.
SQCC has also recently worked with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts center located on the Potomac River, adjacent to the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C...
on a dance production entitled OMAN...O Man!, which featured young Omani and American dancers. This production was conceived and directed by Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen
Deborrah Kaye “Debbie” Allen is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities...
, with music by Arturo Sandoval
Arturo Sandoval
Arturo Sandoval is a jazz trumpeter and pianist. He was born in Artemisa, in the newest renamed Artemisa Province, Cuba....
. It was commissioned by the Kennedy Center especially for their Arabesque Festival in March 2009 and was performed during the last four days of the three-week festival. Other programs include the Summer Institute on Oman and the Gulf, a lecture series aimed at university students who are working as interns in Washington; and the Embassy Visit Program, a unique opportunity for high school students visiting the nation's capital to visit the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman
Embassy of Oman in Washington, D.C.
The Embassy of Oman in Washington, D.C. is the Sultanate of Oman's diplomatic mission to the United States. It is located at 2535 Belmont Road Northwest, Washington, D.C. in the Kalorama neighborhood.The Ambassador is Hunaina Sultan Ahmed Al Mughairy....
. Educational materials for teachers and students are also available on the SQCC website; additional cultural programs include lectures, symposia, performances, speaker tours, and cultural immersion programs. The Center also offers internships for undergraduate and graduate university students.
H.E. Hunaina Sultan Ahmed Al Mughairy, Ambassador of Oman to the United States, serves as Chair of the SQCC Board of Oversight. Ambassador Elizabeth McKune serves as Executive Director, and Dr. Iman Al Busaidi is the Deputy Director in Oman.