
The Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center (SQCC) is an organization based in
Washington, D.C., that seeks to promote understanding of the culture and heritage of
Oman and the countries of the
Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula, (; ar, شِبْهُ الْجَزِيرَةِ الْعَرَبِيَّة, , "Arabian Peninsula" or , , "Island of the Arabs") or Arabia, is a peninsula of Western Asia, situated northeast of Africa on the Arabian Plate ...
. Through programs in the
United States and the
Persian Gulf, the Center seeks to "educate a new generation of
culturally sensitive and knowledgeable experts, scholars, diplomats, and politicians in each society".
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 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
Deborah Kaye Allen (born January 16, 1950) is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, singer-songwriter, director, producer, and a former member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. She has been nominated 20 times for an ...
, 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 an Arabic scholarship program and a research fellowship. Educational materials for teachers and students are also available on the SQCC website;
SQCC website
/ref> 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. Kathleen Ridolfo serves as executive director, and Dr. Iman Al Busaidi is the deputy director in Oman.
References
External links
{{Commons category, Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center
Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center
The Indian Ocean in World History
Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center Library
Arab-American culture in Washington, D.C.
Organizations based in Washington, D.C.
Omani diaspora in the United States
Culture of Oman
Oman–United States relations