His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah al-Salimi is the Minister of Religious Affairs & Endowments of the Sultanate of Oman. H.E. Sheikh Abdullah is a vocal supporter for the place of reason in the religious tradition. He has edited the seminal opus in jurisprudence authored by his grandfather Nur al-Din Abdullah al-Salimi, a major reference shaping the legal framework of Oman and beyond. A determined supporter of tolerance and dialogue, H.E. Sheikh al-Salimi has steered his Ministry toward assuming an active role in inter-civilizational communication. The Scholars Exchange program between the Institute for American Values and the Sultanate of Oman is the direct product of his vision. His Excellency has provided the Institute for American Values with generosity, hospitality, and sponsorship that embody the nobility of the mission of mutual understanding in which he is engaged.

Award Comments

I had hoped to be able to attend this occasion as I have known my friend Prof. David Blankenhorn and his family for many years. Prof. Blankenhorn and his eminent colleagues have visited Oman in the past, and I have had the pleasure of also being able to travel to the USA to visit him, his family and his colleagues. I gave a lecture at the Institute for American Values during my visit four years ago, so our relationship has not been restricted to individuals but is a cooperation and solidarity in matters pertaining to shared values and responsibilities at religious and human levels. We have also enjoyed consultation and cooperation in working together to improve Omani-American and, indeed, Arab-American relations.

Unfortunately I cannot attend this occasion due to prior official commitments so I have asked Prof. Abdulrahman Al Salmi to deliver this speech on my behalf. I would, firstly, like to express my great appreciation to the Institute for American Values and its work, as well as its President, Prof. David Blankenhorn.

I would also like to express my appreciation for the serious work carried out by the Institute in preserving Islamic values, particularly those pertaining to the family as this is a very important issue, not only at social and ethical levels, but also at the level of human relationships, which are based on common merits and responsibilities. This particular issue represents an area of great joint cooperation between us.

I have mentioned repeatedly in my lectures and talks with Prof. Blankenhorn, and other prominent professors such as Prof. [James Turner ] Johnson, Prof. [John] Kelsay and Prof. [Peter] Skerry, that the introduction of common values between Abraham faiths and other religions and cultures, is a vital introduction into initiating beneficial relationships, which are dynamic and strong and start with a mutual recognition that the Holy Qur’an calls “cooperation”. This cooperation then develops into what the Qur’an describes as achieving the virtues that depend upon a deep mutual understanding of human capabilities and a strong will to accomplish unity among humankind on the basis of principles of mind, justice and ethics, despite differences in cultures and backgrounds.

The third area for which I would like to express my appreciation to the Institute is that of American-Arab relations, which have experienced some very tough times and overcome many hurdles. I well remember that the Institute’s first endeavour in this area was an important statement that was issued [on] ... Just War ["What We're Fighting For: A Letter from America"]. I was not, in fact, supportive of a lot of what was said, yet I understood the deep wound that the American people felt as a result of Al Qaeda’s attacks on them. I also felt the strength of will on the part of the signatories in statements that called for the establishment of good and proper relations with Arabs and Muslims. I also became aware, through Abdulrahman Al Salmi and Prof. Ridwan Al Sayed, of the idea of the Malta Forum, which formed thanks to the endeavours of David and his colleagues, and which provided an opportunity to open a window to penetrate the wall of misunderstanding between the two sides, especially at an intellectual level. It is my hope, in view of such improvements, that work will continue within the Forum and that its activities will increase while widening the understanding of both sides — the Arabs and the Americans.

Also ... [the use of] art has [been] a part of our relationship when Raina [ Sacks Blankenhorn] developed a project illustrating photos about religion and society in Oman through American eyes. These photos were taken by New York photographer Edward Grazda, ... [and] the photos have [been] presented in several official occasions.

I thank you sincerely for the invitation to attend and I hope you will accept my apologies for my absence. I send my heartfelt felicitations to the Institute for American Values on the occasion of its 20th Anniversary. We will always cherish the memory of the Institute and its staff for their major concerns about the family and ethical values, and to the very important continuation of building and improving Abrahm's faiths and American-Arab relations.

Thank You.

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