44
213
FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN
On the occasion of the 4th National Day
‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ We have faced many challenges, but by the Grace of God and His help we have achieved glorious triumphs against all these challenges. From every battle we emerge stronger, to recontinue our march with greater will and stronger belief.
MONDAY, November 2, 2015 / 19 Muharram 1437 AH
timesofoman.com
wtimesofoman.com
facebook.com/timesofoman
twitter.com/timesofoman
blog.timesofoman.com
ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING
HM praises preparations for cyclone, Shura election process MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said presided over the Council of Ministers meeting at Bait Al Barakah on Sunday. His Majesty the Sultan lauded the commendable efforts of the government and other institutions of the state in the wake of unstable weather conditions, praying to Allah the Almighty to protect the people of Oman and neighbouring countries against all harms. His Majesty the Sultan also lauded the success of the election process for the Majlis Al Shura and for the good response it received from citizens, which reflected their interest and keenness on assuming their national duty. His Majesty the Sultan also praised the role of the interior ministry and the elec-
HM confers Oman Civil Order >A6 SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT
PHOTO GALLERY W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N .C O M
tion organising committees, wishing the new Majlis Al Shura all the success in performing their duties along with other institutions of the state. On the global economic conditions and their impact on countries, His Majesty directed the Council to take precautionary measures to limit their negative impacts on the social and economic fronts. >A6
AUGUST MEETING: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said presides over the Council of Ministers meeting at Bait Al Barakah. – Mohamed Mostafa
Evacuees pray for safety as cyclone nears
WINNER OF MANY LAURELS
OMAN
Win VIP tickets Empty Quarter journey to Stereophonics 1
As the cyclone edges closer, rains have started to fall and people have been advised to move to safer places and away from wadis
REJIMON K
SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT
reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Thousands were evacuated from their homes, patients were moved out of hospitals to create space for casualties, and rescue services and the military prepared for action — all Salalah could do last night was wait and pray as Cyclone Chapala edged closer. Families residing in coastal areas in Salalah left their belongings and moved to safer areas not knowing when they would return as the cyclone moved towards the Dhofar coast. “Following the alert from police, I have moved to a rented flat in Salalah with my
PHOTO GALLERY W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N .C O M
family. According to police, Hafa, the coastal area, may be the worst hit. Almost all the people have been told to move to safer areas,” Viswan Pappan, a long-time resident of Hafa told Times of Oman. “During the last 25 years of my stay in Oman, I have not left my home under this kind of situation. I have closed down my garment shop and taken only whatever I could take in my vehicle. I am worried. We don’t know what will
3600 Adrenaline rush
C7
be the loss after rain. Maybe I will lose all my earnings. I am praying to the Almighty to keep us safe,” Pappan said. Shelters According to sources, 4,267 people, including 206 Omanis, were moved to 12 different shelters in the Dhofar region. “There are 23 schools prepared for the shelter. The shelters are in good condition,” Adanan Al Mahri, an official from the social welfare department, who is also in-charge of one of the shelter schools in Salalah, told Times of Oman. Santhosh Babu, an electrician living in Al Hallaniyat Island, who was shifted by the police to Shalin area a day before, said the accommodation is in a good condition. “We are safe now. We were worried while being on the island,” Santhosh said. Meanwhile, Ahmed bin Mubarak Al Hadri, the Majlis Al Shura member from Salalah, said that volunteer groups are helping government agencies in the evacuation process. >A4
Three explorers will undertake a 1,300 km journey across the Empty Quarter from Salalah. >A3
Times News Service
REGION
MUSCAT: It’s just 10 days to go until one of the UK’s finest bands, the Stereophonics, arrives in Oman to play to crowds at the Shangri La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa Amphitheatre. Tickets To celebrate the gig on November 12, Times of Oman has teamed up with the organisers Alive Entertainment to give away two fan pit tickets (worth OMR50 each) on each day in the countdown to the show. To win, simply like Alive Entertainment’s Facebook page
UNSTABLE WEATHER: The effect of impending Cylcone Chapala is already visible in Salalah. – ONA
TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES
Jet broke up in mid-air
2
A Russian jet that crashed in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula broke up in mid-air. >A8
MARKET (www.facebook.com/aliveoman), then come to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/timesofoman) and like it — if you haven’t already — and type “I want to see the Stereophonics”. >A7
Anti-dumping case
3
An anti-dumping case has been filed by the US against Oman and four other countries. >B1