Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the seventh WikiArabia 2024, held in Muscat, Oman, from 25 to 27 October, and organized by the Wikimedia UAE User Group.

As a representative of Wikimedia Iraq UG and a member of the Arab community, I attended to contribute and connect, but the real highlight was meeting the young Omani Wikimedians, who had only recently begun engaging with the Wikimedia community. For some, this conference was their first introduction to Wikimedia, and their enthusiasm was contagious.

As soon as I arrived in Oman I joined the sessions, I sensed an extraordinary energy I hadn’t felt at past events. The Omani youth brought kindness, excitement, and an eagerness to learn about Wikimedia and the Arab community behind it. Meeting these young, passionate people was inspiring, and it reminded me of the powerful role we play as Wikimedians.

At the conference, I organized WikiGames workshop, designed to break the ice and help both experienced Wikimedians and newcomers connect. During this session, Omani youth shared insights into their backgrounds, culture, and heritage, also we played many board games and had a lot of fun. I feel after this session we all became more open to talking and engaging with each other.

Latifa, one of the bright Omani youth, shared how her journey with Wikimedia started only two months ago through the Omani Youth Wiki Program. She joined the conference to learn from experienced editors and administrators, she said:

“This program in Oman encouraged us to try something new, different from the typical workshops and activities we usually encounter. It’s a unique experience that can lay the foundation for an Omani user group.”

Another inspiring person was Mohammed, a university student passionate about the Arabic language. He said:

“Before the conference, I thought Wikimedia contributors focused only on writing and editing articles. But I discovered much more — community management, improving sources, verifying information, and other activities that truly added value for me.”

Our connection went beyond conference topics as he took me to one of Oman’s most famous sweet shops and helped me buy gifts to bring back to my family in Iraq.

Also, Thuraya’s thoughts on volunteerism, the essence of our work, left a deep impression. She said:

“This conference changed my perspective on volunteer work. I realized that personal and professional circumstances don’t limit volunteerism. Those with a clear goal can overcome obstacles and channel their efforts toward giving, no matter the challenges. Meeting people who balance their careers with contributing to Wikimedia projects inspired me to believe in the impact of volunteering as a force for real and lasting change.”

Latifa, Mohammed, Thuraya, and Many other Omani youth contributed to the vibrant spirit of this conference, bringing new knowledge, and the culture of Oman to the wiki community.

The Arab community came together, showing the power of collaboration and youth support. It was disappointing that some of our colleagues couldn’t attend, even though some were just a short flight away. However, I see that the UAE UG team transcended borders by organizing this conference outside their country—a testament to the shared vision that unites us beyond geographic lines.

This experience reinforced the message that the Arab world is one, unbroken by borders. I left with renewed hope that our community and the energy of new young members can help support unity across Arab nations through volunteerism, knowledge, and learning.

Finally, here are some shots I took through social activities during the conference 🙂