SQCC Hosts Public Lecture with Dr. Valerie Hoffman

SQCC welcomed Dr. Valerie Hoffman for her public lecture “The Role of Ibāḍī Islam in Omani History” on 1 August. Dr. Hoffman, Professor of Islamic Studies and Head of the Department of Religion at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, began her lecture with a historical overview of Ibadism by tracing its roots back to the period of the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Rashidun) and the origin of the Ibāḍī School of Islam. She then explored how the Ibadism has affected Omani history and culture for over a millennia. The lecture concluded with a Q&A session with Dr. Hoffman.

After the lecture, guests explored SQCC’s summer exhibition “Tolerance, Understanding, Coexistence: Oman’s Message of Islam.”  The temporary exhibit complimented Dr. Hoffman’s lecture perfectly by providing insights into the daily practice of Islam in contemporary Omani society. “Tolerance, Understanding, Coexistence: Oman’s Message of Islam” will be at SQCC until 30 August.