A discussion session organized today by the Sultan Qaboos Higher Center for Culture and Science emphasized the importance of instilling the concept of national identity and authentic principles, addressing the challenges facing society and their unacceptable impact on our moral and cultural system. The session, titled “National Identity and Human Values,” featured Dr. Al-Sharif Al-Hashemi Tuttaw, Assistant Professor at Sultan Qaboos University, and Dr. Yusra bint Mohammed Al-Mugheiry, Assistant Director for Career Guidance and Student Counseling, who stressed the importance of the family as a protective shield for children against negative intellectual trends.
The session began with a comprehensive discussion on the concept of national identity and the need to embed authentic principles in Omani society. Dr. Yusra Al-Mugheiry highlighted the role of national identity as a fundamental component in shaping human values, emphasizing that identity is not merely slogans but a core element that defines the characteristics of every individual in society.
Al-Mugheiry also addressed the significance of education in strengthening national identity from an early age and the necessity of shielding younger generations from the negative influences of globalization. She stated, “We must leverage globalization in ways that serve national identity without falling into the trap of alien values that seep through social media, such as imitating celebrities and the associated negative ideas.”
Dr. Al-Sharif Al-Hashemi Tuttaw focused on the concept of values, asserting that values define a society’s identity. He pointed out that individuals in Western societies have become self-centered, leading to a “crisis of values” in those communities. He remarked that the world has become a small global village, placing societies at risk of adopting Western ideas that aim to export their values to others.
In this context, Tuttaw questioned the concept of human rights promoted by the West, noting that this concept often aligns with specific cultural contexts while neglecting the diverse circumstances of other countries. He emphasized that values must be deeply rooted in local culture, underlining the need to preserve the cultural uniqueness of Omanis.
