By ONA/
UNESCO has inscribed the Omani manuscript “The Great Nuniyah” by the renowned navigator Ahmed bin Majid in its Memory of the World Programme. This marks the second Omani manuscript to be included in this prestigious international register.
The Great Nuniyah is regarded as one of the most prominent manuscripts in the field of navigation and maritime sciences. It contains detailed documentation of early maritime knowledge, including valuable data on historical ship movements and international trade routes. Whereas earlier scholars prior to Ahmed bin Majid had divided the Earth into seven zones restricted to the Northern Hemisphere, the Nuniyah introduced an expanded model by adding seven additional zones in the Southern Hemisphere, thereby offering a more comprehensive geographical framework for navigation.
The manuscript is considered a contribution to the shared heritage of humanity, as it offers vivid accounts of the communities encountered by the author and his crew during their voyages. It also presents a detailed description of the marine environment and its biodiversity, including whales, sea snakes, and coral reefs, in addition to navigational information on anchorage and docking routes.