MUSCAT: Reinforcing its strategic commitment to advancing knowledge-driven community development and fostering value-based intellectual discourse, Sohar Islamic announced its principal sponsorship of the scientific symposium “The Qur’an and Human Development,” organized by the Imam Jabir bin Zaid Waqf Foundation. Held over two consecutive days, the symposium commenced on 20 April 2026 at the Grand Hall of Sultan Qaboos University, under the patronage of His Excellency Sayyid Khalid Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court. The symposium serves as a forward-looking platform to highlight the role of the Holy Qur’an in shaping intellectual and moral development, while exploring its potential in building a future grounded in education, values, and identity—an approach that closely aligns with Sohar Islamic’s broader strategy of enabling sustainable, knowledge-based societal progress.

The symposium attracted strong public engagement and brought together a distinguished cohort of specialists in Qur’anic sciences and Islamic Sharia from within the Sultanate of Oman and beyond, led by His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Kahlan Nabhan Al Kharusi, Assistant Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman. It also witnessed extensive participation from academics, students, and stakeholders invested in intellectual and educational advancement. Central discussions reaffirmed the Holy Qur’an as the supreme reference point for shaping human thought and regulating the relationship between knowledge and values, while emphasizing the need to restore its unifying role in addressing intellectual fragmentation and advancing a cohesive civilizational vision.

Deliberations further underscored the importance of maintaining a balance between a realistic understanding of contemporary developments and adherence to ethical reference frameworks, alongside reactivating the role of reason within a Qur’anic paradigm that integrates knowledge with faith. This integrated approach contributes to the development of a well-rounded individual capable of contributing meaningfully to societal and civilizational progress. The first day of the symposium featured five working papers examining the centrality of the Qur’an in Islamic knowledge systems and its role as a foundational reference for human and civilizational development, in complementarity with other knowledge methodologies.

The symposium also included three public lectures addressing diverse topics from a Qur’anic perspective, as well as a specialized workshop titled “The Jurisprudence of the Self in the Holy Qur’an: Building Consciousness and Psychological Health in the Educational Field,” delivered by Dr. Abdul Rahman Thakir Al Hashmi. The workshop targeted social and psychological specialists and their supervisors from the Ministry of Education, focusing on applying Qur’anic methodologies to enhance psychological awareness, strengthen educational practices, and promote value-based, integrated professional frameworks.

In this context, Fahad Al Zadjali, Head of Sohar Islamic, stated: “At Sohar Islamic, our strategic approach extends beyond banking to actively contribute to the intellectual and social fabric of the communities we serve. Guided by the Holy Qur’an as the primary foundation shaping our principles and practices, our sponsorship of this symposium reflects a deeply rooted institutional ethos that informs all aspects of our operations. Through this platform, we aim to advance forward-looking scientific dialogue grounded in a pragmatic understanding of contemporary challenges while remaining responsive to global transformations. We are equally committed to supporting research and innovation in alignment with the aspirations of Oman Vision 2040.”

Sohar Islamic’s sponsorship underscores its strategic focus on reinforcing societal values and advancing scientific and intellectual initiatives, particularly those linked to religious and educational institutions that play a pivotal role in shaping balanced, future-ready generations. This engagement further reflects the bank’s commitment to contributing to an integrated knowledge ecosystem that amplifies the relevance of Qur’anic discourse across diverse facets of life and positions it as a foundational reference in shaping both individual and collective consciousness, in alignment with evolving developmental priorities.

The symposium is expected to yield a set of actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening the presence of the Holy Qur’an across educational, intellectual, and societal domains, supporting the development of individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, and behaviourally balanced.

Through this initiative, Sohar Islamic continues to strengthen its role as a key enabler of scientific and cultural advancement in the Sultanate of Oman, championing impactful initiatives that cultivate intellectual capital and reinforce value systems, reflecting its sustained commitment to delivering meaningful, long-term societal impact in line with national priorities and future aspirations.