Tuesday 21 / July / 2026
Muscat: Dr. Habib bin Marhoon Al Hadi has published a new scholarly work titled “Oman and the Passage of Time: The Theory of Civilisational Continuity of the Omani Family,” a 427‑page volume that presents an intellectual and scholarly framework rooted in the distinctiveness of the Omani experience.
The book explores how the Omani family has sustained its role in preserving national identity, transmitting values and belonging across generations, and reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of social development and civilisational sustainability.
The book poses a central question: how has the Omani family maintained its civilisational continuity over centuries, despite the rapid political, economic, social, cultural and technological transformations that Oman has witnessed?
It offers scientifically grounded answers based on years of research combining historical study, civilisational analysis, field research and theory‑building.
The theory defines civilisational continuity as a dynamic process involving the reproduction of values, identity and collective memory in ways that adapt to change — not merely the preservation of cultural heritage.
The family is seen as an active institution in preserving national character and balancing authenticity with renewal.
The work goes beyond theory, offering an explanatory model, a proposed system of national indicators, and a vision for a national observatory to monitor family, childhood and civilisational continuity.
This is intended to support national policies and programmes aligned with Oman Vision 2040 in the areas of national identity, social development and human development.
The book is organised into eight chapters, covering the concept and theoretical framework of civilisational continuity, its historical roots in the Omani experience, the role of social institutions, the family as the primary incubator of values and identity, and the impact of social, cultural and digital transformations.
The final chapters present field study findings, the theory itself, and a forward‑looking vision for civilisational sustainability.
Dr. Al Hadi said the book is the result of a research journey spanning years, born from a question about how Omani society has preserved its civilisational continuity despite profound historical transformations.
The findings showed the family to be the most influential institution in preserving national identity, transmitting values, safeguarding social memory and reproducing Omani character generation after generation.
He added that the book views civilisational continuity as a society’s ability to preserve its essence while reproducing it in ways that align with changing circumstances, balancing authenticity with renewal and identity with openness. It offers not only a scientific theory but also an explanatory model, a system of indicators and an institutional vision for future studies and national policies on family, childhood and human development.
Published by Luban Publishing House, the book adds to Dr. Al Hadi’s body of work in Omani history, educational thought, civilisational studies and scientific research. -ONA
