Religious tolerance in Oman is focus of new exhibit

Grand Valley State University will be one of 16 international locations to host an exhibit providing insight into the role of religion in the Arabian society of Oman.

“Religious Tolerance – Islam in the Sultanate of Oman” will be hosted in the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons October 13-30 on the Allendale Campus. A delegate from the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Oman, as well as President Thomas Haas, will introduce the exhibit during an opening reception on Monday, October 13 from 4-6 p.m. in the Mary Idema Pew Library Atrium multipurpose room.

Katie Gordon, Kaufman Interfaith Institute program manager, said the goal of the exhibit is to encourage a conversation about the importance of religious tolerance and acceptance in any society and culture using Oman as an example.

“Many people in the western world have assumptions about Islam as an oppressive and violent force,” said Gordon. “We want to show the real story — a story of Islam where its core principles lead to interfaith and pluralistic efforts. Oman celebrates religious diversity, just as we do locally in Grand Rapids.”

The exhibition consists of 24 display panels with text and graphics dealing with the practice of religion in the modern Arabian society. Accompanying the exhibition is a short documentary film, “Religious Tolerance in Oman,” by award-winning German filmmaker Wolfgang Ettlich.

As a seafaring nation, Oman has been engaged for three millennia in intercultural exchanges with people around the Indian Ocean. Freedom of religion is guaranteed in the Sultanate of Oman, where over the years, there has been mutual acceptance, understanding and a peaceful coexistence among its varied religious communities.

“Religious Tolerance – Islam in the Sultanate of Oman” has been hosted at many international venues throughout Europe, including The United Nations in Vienna, Austria; the University of Bamberg in Germany; the Islamic Culture Center of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain; and the University of Technology in Tallinn, Estonia.

In 2013, the exhibition was hosted for the first time in the U.S. at the Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, making this only the second time the exhibit has been showcased in the U.S.

The exhibit’s 2014 tour is in acknowledgement of the International Day of Tolerance on November 16.

In addition to hosting the exhibit, Grand Valley will also offer multiple events over the three-week period with the theme of religious tolerance.

Opening Reception and “Religious Tolerance in Oman” Film Screening
Monday, October 13 from 4-6 p.m.
Mary Idema Pew Library Atrium, Multipurpose room
RSVP required. Contact Katie Gordon, Kaufman Interfaith Institute program manager at (616) 331-5702 or [email protected]

“A Middle Eastern Experience: An Invitation to Visit and Learn about Oman”
Presentation by Sebastian Maisel
Tuesday, October 14 from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Mary Idema Pew Library Atrium, Multipurpose room

“Interfaith in the Middle East: Rays of Light in Darkness”
Presentation by Thomas Uthup
Thursday, October 16 from 1-2:30 p.m.
Mary Idema Pew Library Atrium, Multipurpose room

InclusiviTEA Panel Discussion
Thursday, October 16 from 8-10 p.m.
Mary Idema Pew Library Atrium, Multipurpose room

Video conversations with Lakers Abroad
Friday, October 17 from 11 a.m.-noon (tentative)
Mary Idema Pew Library Learning Alcove, first floor

“The Other Son” Film Screening and Discussion
Thursday, October 23 from 8-10 p.m.
Mary Idema Pew Library Atrium, Multipurpose room

The Sylvia and Richard Kaufman Interfaith Institute, University Libraries, Grand Valley’s Middle East Studies department, the Barbara H. Padnos International Center, Better Together Interfaith Youth Core, Peace M.E.ans and Spotlight Productions are presenting the exhibition.