This book is a call to the people of Oman and Zanzibar, to appreciate the tolerance and cohesion that people of Zanzibar once enjoyed. A society made up of diverse ethnic origins that coexisted with one another in social harmony. Moreover, for realising the social relationships evinced a once strongly cohesive society with a common fate and destiny. Hence, it is a motive for scotching the myths and fabricated stories about slavery that sowed the seeds of dissension and fostered hate that eventually led to a fractured society and ethnic cleansing.

In this respect and considering that it is people who determine history, it is important to highlight the role played by some prominent Arab figures in building the society of Zanzibar prior to the collapse of the short-lived legitimate government of 1963 as a result of the brutal invasion of January 1964. It is not the intention of the author to portray the Arabs as the sole ethnic group that built modern State of Zanzibar, nor indeed as the only victims, nor even to hymn their praises but to underscore their scholarly, artistic and constructive contribution in many aspects of life as opposed to the myriad corrupt objectives instilled in the minds of the rank and file against Arabs and Arabism. It is an endeavour to preserve a history that at one stage was about to be consigned into oblivion. More importantly, it is an attempt to revive the truth about the Arabs' existence in Zanzibar and their remarkable contribution to its civilisation.

Finally, it is a call for forgiveness and reconciliation for the heinous crimes perpetrated against the innocent people of Zanzibar during the 1964 massacre and thereafter, and a start to rebuild bridges between Oman and Zanzibar for a stronger and promising future.