‘Oman’s multicultural society is exemplary’

 Oman’s style of multi-culturalism is an ideal model that should be followed by countries in the world today, according to an Australian senator.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore, a former resident of Oman and student at the American British Academy (ABA) in Muscat, emphasised that the ideology of multi-culturalism, which she currently promotes in the senate, stems from her stay in Oman. 

“Absolutely, 100 per cent. My time in Oman and ABA helped me find who I am as a person and where my beliefs lie. I don’t think I would have such a strong idea of multi-culturalism if I did not grow up in Oman and studied at a school like ABA. It is a beautiful example of a multicultural society. It has certainly played a big role in the way I look at different cultures and traditions,” Kakoschke-Moore said when asked about the influence her time in Oman has had on her ideology.

Sense of peace

“I visit Oman every three to four years as my family still lives here. It still feels like home, even though it is so different since I came here first in 1994. Oman enjoys such a beautiful culture and sense of peace unlike other parts of the region, which really sets it apart. The other thing that is so impressive is that they have done so well to preserve the heritage and culture, even after modernising the country,” she added.

Kakoschke-Moore became the youngest female senator and MP in July 2016 when she was elected to the senate of South Australia to represent the Nick Xenophon Team party.

She holds a double degree in law and economics and has previously served as an advisor to Nick Xenophon for six years before being elected to parliament.

In her maiden speech in the senate last year, Kakoschke-Moore highlighted the value of multi-culturalism that she had learnt from Oman and she was unhappy about comments made by some Australians, who had attacked the concept of multi-culturalism and Islam.

“I imagine what it would have been like for me and my family if the people in Oman shunned, rejected and vilified us, not because of anything we had done, but because of where we came from and our beliefs—how it would have felt to be in a minority in a country that we called home and yet we were constantly being asked to defend ourselves because of the actions of a few.

“I ask each of you in this place to think for a moment what that would be like. Imagine it was you,” she said in her speech.

Kakoschke-Moore added that the matter of immigration is something that must be addressed regionally.

“The situation in Australia is that refugees that come in by boat are deemed to be illegal, which is not the case. They are then held in offshore detention centres, something my party has a problem with, particularly the secrecy surrounding these centres. We need to have a regional solution to this as to why are people are leaving their countries and what can be done for them,” she explained.

Kakoschke-Moore also campaigns for gender inequality, gambling reforms and imparting aid to ex-service personnel.

She was on a visit to ABA where she addressed students from grade nine to 12 last week, urging them to follow their dreams and trust their decision-making abilities. She also encouraged students to grow up with the mindset to change the world.

“Through the world class education and tolerant atmosphere at ABA, you have the power to change the ignorant views prevalent in modern day society. The world needs you to be ambassadors of existence,” she said.

Source: Timesofoman