The British Omani Society (formerly the Anglo-Omani Society)' (Arabic: الجمعية البريطانية العمانية'), is a London-based charitable organisation registered in the UK.[1] It seeks to promote and sustain relations between Britain and the Sultanate of Oman. Membership of the society is open to Omani and British nationals who have lived in Oman or who have commercial, cultural or other interests in the Sultanate.[2]
 | |
| Formation | January 1976 |
|---|---|
| Type | Friendship Society |
| Legal status | Registered UK charity |
| Purpose | Preserving the longstanding friendship between Britain and Oman |
| Headquarters | 34 Sackville Street London, W1 |
Region served | UK & Sultanate of Oman |
Official language | English and Arabic (when appropriate) |
Patron | HM Sultan Haitham bin Tariq |
President | HE The Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman |
Main organ | Board of Trustees |
| Website | The Society's Website |
The Society's Objectives edit
The Society seeks:[3]
- To advance the education of the British public about all aspects of Oman.
- To advance the education of Omani nationals about all aspects of the UK.
- To improve understanding between Oman and the UK and to promote a lasting friendship between the UK and Oman.
- To provide bursaries, scholarships and grants for Omani and British students and projects.[4][5]
The society has a calendar of general interest and specialist lectures scheduled throughout the year held at its London headquarters in 34 Sackville Street.[6] It also holds a number of social events throughout the year attended by British and Omani dignitaries and society members.[7]
One of the ways the society seeks to keep the friendly relations between the UK and Oman healthy is by actively encouraging links between the young people of both nations. The society's New Generation Group is the main vehicle for this engagement through exchange visits and events in both countries.[8]
The society retains strong links with academic institutions in the UK and Oman e.g. the Sultan Qaboos University,[9] St Antony's College, Oxford[10] and the University of Exeter[11] to name but a few.
The society also maintains close relations with other friendship groups that have members who have spent time in the Sultanate, e.g. the Sultan's Armed Forces Association.[12]
Omani British Business Council (OBBC) edit
The OBBC was formed to promote the close economic and commercial relationship between the Sultanate of Oman and United Kingdom and to develop bilateral trade, investment and other economic partnerships between the two countries.
The Society's Records edit
The society's records are held as archived material at St Antony's College Middle East Centre Archive in Oxford.[13]
A regular review of the society's activities is produced as an annual magazine, which is available on-line.[14]
Current Chairman edit
- Richard Stanford CB MBE - Major General (Retd) and previous Senior British Loan Service Officer to the Sultanate of Oman from 2017 - 2021.[15][16]
Previous Chairmen edit
The following are recorded as having held the post of society chairman:[17]
- Robert Alston CMG QSO DL.[18]
- Richard Muir CMG
- Sir Terence Clark KBE CMG CVO
- Ivor Lucas
- Gordon Calver
- Donald Orde
- Sir Donald Hawley KCMG MBE - first chairman.[19][20]
The Society's Governance edit
Vice-Presidents
There are currently six vice-presidents who have normally fulfilled other senior posts in the society prior to their appointment. These are supported by the chairman (see above), a vice-chairman, a treasurer, a company secretary and a board of trustees (see below).[21]
Trustees
The board of trustees is composed of society members, with additional co-opted members from the Embassy of Oman and the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office.[22]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Anglo Omani Society Charity Details". beta.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "THE ANGLO-OMANI SOCIETY - Overview (free company information from Companies House)". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "The Anglo-Omani Society". www.angloomanisociety.com. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Muscat hosts Anglo-Omani Society meet". Oman Observer. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ Newspaper, Muscat Daily. "Anglo-Omani Society celebrates 40th anniversary highlighting its role in fostering bilateral ties - Oman". Muscat Daily News. Archived from the original on 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ "Anglo-Omani Society Lectures". angloomanisociety.fikket.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Anglo-Omani Society hold reception in London". Times of Oman. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "About the NGG". AngloOmani New Generation Group. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Arabic Language Scheme The Anglo-Omani Society". www.angloomanisociety.com. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "MECA Oman Archive St Antony's College". www.sant.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Omani Society in Exeter - Students' Guild". www.exeterguild.org. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Re-dedication of the Sultan's Armed Forces Memorial | The Anglo-Omani Society". www.angloomanisociety.com. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ Archives, The National. "The Discovery Service". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "The Anglo-Omani Society Review". www.angloomanisociety.com. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Stuart Laing Archives - Medina Publishing LTD". Medina Publishing LTD. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Officers - BRISMES". www.brismes.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "The Anglo-Omani Society Review 2015". mag.digitalpc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Former Ambassador reflects on Oman - OmanGB News". omangbnews.com. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Sir Donald Hawley: Distinguished diplomat and writer". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ "Sir Donald Hawley Obituary Daily Telegraph". 11 February 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
- ^ "Trustees The Anglo-Omani Society". www.angloomanisociety.com. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Trustees The Anglo-Omani Society". www.angloomanisociety.com. Retrieved 28 October 2018.