Description

War. Terrorism. Sectarianism. Oppressed women. Tyrannical dictators. These are the stereotypes associated with the Middle East. Indeed, it is a region often mired in conflict.

But one little corner of the region is an example of peace and tolerance: the Sultanate of Oman. In this presentation, Oman: A Calm Port in the Middle Eastern Storm, our speaker will introduce the audience to the most peaceful and diplomatic country in the Middle East. Since 1975, when its last internal conflict ended, Oman has avoided war and positioned itself as a regional mediator. It has also become an example of how a multicultural and multi-sect society can live in peace.

This presentation will provide highlights of the nation’s history and present-day society, and explain how it has played an important neutral role mediating for Iran and the USA, mediating for the current war in Yemen, and its position in the Gulf Crisis (in which Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and a few other allies cut ties with Qatar) and the war in Syria.

Speaker’s Biography

Sarah MacDonald is a writer and journalist who spent seven years working as a lecturer and journalist in the Sultanate of Oman. A graduate of the International Cooperation and Conflict Studies program at the University of Saskatchewan, she is back in Saskatoon where she is currently writing a book about Oman and its role in the Middle East. She has long been interested in Middle Eastern politics and history and in addition to working in Oman, has travelled throughout the region and spent time volunteering in Palestine and studying classical Arabic in Oman.

Registration

Itinerary
6:00 pm Doors open
6:30 pm Dinner with the speaker (RSVP)
7:40 pm Doors open to the public
8:00 pm Public presentation begins

Registration via EventBrite

Contact Person: Dan Sutherland – Saskatoon@thecic.org