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WEDNESDAY, September 23, 2015 / 9 Dhul Hijja 1436 AH timesofoman.com
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Eid break does not need to be death sentence
R E L E A S E O F H O S TA G E S
Obama thanks His Majesty MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said received a phone call from US President Barack Obama. President Obama expressed his thanks and gratitude for His Majesty’s efforts in assisting the US administration in securing the release of two US citizens in Yemen. Obama thanked His Majesty for supporting the international efforts in dealing with the situation in Yemen. Both leaders stressed the importance of supporting political solutions to deal with the Yemeni crisis and quickly responding to the pressing humanitarian needs in the country. -With inputs from ONA
After two
ADVENT OF EID AL ADHA
consecutive years of
HM pardons 189 prisoners
tragedy during Eid Al Adha, authorities have urged the
MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Supreme Commander, has issued a Royal pardon to 189 prisoners convicted in different cases. They include 62 foreign prisoners. His Majesty, the Supreme Commander’s Royal pardon coincides with the advent of the blessed Eid Al Adha 1436 AH and in consideration of the families of the prisoners. -ONA
MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of greetings to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of National Day. In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere greetings along with his best wishes of good health, wellbeing and a long life to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, praying to Allah the Almighty for the return of this and similar occasions on him to achieve the aspirations of further progress and prosperity for the Saudi people. -ONA
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EID AL ADHA GREETINGS The board of directors and staff of Muscat Media Group extend their heartiest greetings to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on the advent of Eid Al Adha.
EID AL ADHA
His Majesty receives greetings MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said received cables of greetings from State Council Chairman Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, Majlis Al Shura Chairman Khalid bin Hilal Al Ma’awali, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib Al Busaidi and Inspector General of Police and Customs Lt.Gen Hassan bin Mohsen Al Shraiqi, on the occasion of the blessed Eid Al Adha. In his cable, Al Mantheri, and on behalf of State Council members and staff, extended sincere greetings on the occasion of blessed Eid Al Adha, which coincides with an important Islamic event of pilgrimage in which Muslims
OMAN
‘No need to issue advance salary this Eid’
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There is no need to issue salaries in advance because of the Eid Al Adha, said a senior official at the Ministry of Manpower. He said the usual date for releasing salaries is very close, so the Ministry was of the opinion that there is no need to take a decision on early pay. >A3
WORLD
MARKET
Hadi lands in Yemen
Oman, Iran sign pacts
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Pacts were signed between Iran and Oman to study a sub-sea gas pipeline. >B1
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travel to the city of Mecca. He said: “Your Majesty the Sultan, Haj season is considered as a symbol of forgiveness among Muslims. By the grace of Allah, under your wise leadership, the Sultanate is at the forefront of the countries which calls upon forgiveness and justice.” In his cable, Majlis Al Shura chairman said: “On this occasion, the pilgrims are guests of their Creator. While at Jabal Al Rahma, their hearts are filled with mercy and tranquillity due to the sanctity of this occasion.” “This dear occasion motivates in us the spirit of tolerance and brotherhood among all Muslims,” he added.
“Your Majesty, the Monarch of the State, these dear occasions in Your Majesty’s blessed era have noble meanings and features, not only due to Oman’s true traditions and values, but also due to the love and brotherhood spirit Your Majesty has promoted among Omanis in different parts of the Sultanate. Your Majesty has made strong bonds among citizens in the urban, rural and Bedouin areas where everyone enjoys security, prosperity, justice and equality. It is no wonder then that the Omanis managed to keep pace with the modern development and at the same time maintaining their true Omani values and traditions,” he added. >A2
MUSCAT: It is supposed to be a time of celebration but Eid Al Adha has been tinged with tragedy as each year the holiday is marred by unnecessary deaths. This year police authorities have urged residents to stay safe, urging them to drive responsibly, swim safely and not to play with fire during the long weekend. Last year, during the Eid Al Adha holidays, nine people drowned in different incidents across the wilayats and several road accidents were reported, while 15 people died and 172 were injured in 2013 accidents. “As it is a shorter holiday, people prefer to visit indoor tourist spots. Unfortunately for some, negligence in adopting safety measures puts them into trouble. So, we advise the public to be safe during the holidays and avoid any untoward incident,” a police official from the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulances, told the Times of Oman. According to the police, a spike
in the number of road accidents is common during the holiday period, in addition to incidents of drowning and other injuries. “People should be extra careful while visiting tourist spots. They should always seek the help of a guide, who knows the pitfalls of the spot. Non-swimmers are strongly advised against venturing into water. Parents taking children to beaches should also take extra care. Loss caused by momentary negligence could be irreparable,” the officials added. During the 2014 Eid holidays, an Omani national drowned in Wadi Shab and another drowned in Wadi Bani Khalid. Seven expatriates drowned at the Yiti and Mughsayl beaches. The police have also advised tourists visiting the country to adhere to the rules and laws of the Sultanate for their own safety and the safety of others. >A3
Holiday notice There will be no editions of Times of Oman on September 24 and 26 on account of Eid Al Adha holidays. There will also be no issue of Hi this week.
EID AL ADHA
TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES
Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi landed in Aden on Tuesday. >A9
people had drowned during Eid Al Adha holidays in 2014 in different incidents across the Sultanate
TARIQ AL HAREMI/REJIMON K
SAUDI ARABIA
HM sends greetings
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public to stay safe
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More police deployed as holiday rush leads to delays at Oman-UAE border Staff Reporter MUSCAT: With the rush of Eid Al Adha holiday-makers having already begun, travellers are facing delays at the Oman-UAE border, said sources in Buraimi. “As of now, travellers from both sides are having to wait for more than an hour to cross the border,” sources in Buraimi revealed, adding that the situation might worsen in the coming days. “However, we can see that more police have been deployed at the border to ease the situation,” the sources added. Last year, holidayers had to wait for more than three hours in queue to complete immigration procedures while entering Oman from the UAE. Normally, it takes only half an hour to complete the formalities. Two borders have to be crossed to enter Dubai from Oman—the Al Wajajah border in Oman and the Hatta border in the UAE. Expats in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, who wish to cross into Oman through the Hili border post in the UAE, have to
LONG WAIT: Long queues are seen at the Oman-UAE border due to the rush of tourists.
pay Dh35 for an exit stamp on their passports. The same rule applies to those travelling to Buraimi through the Saa’ and wadi Jizi border posts. It costs OMR5 to obtain a visa. Ear-
lier, the entry was free for expats. These rules are now part of the regulations implemented for entry and exit of people between Oman and the UAE and are aimed at reducing border traffic, particularly
at the Hili border post. While the total number of inbound visitors was pegged at 2,098,000 in 2014, the total number of outbound tourists was estimated to be 4,727,000.