Hi Weekly - February 5, 2016

OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 54,000 COPIES

VOL 10 ISSUE 6 / FEBRUARY 5, 2016

LEARN ALL ABOUT THE OMANI Audited by y

MUSSAR TURBAN AND THE MANY WAYS IT IS WORN IN THE SULTANATE PAGE 18

THIS WEEK IN OMAN

GO BACKSTAGE

DISCONNECT

Follow a film crew as they document the drama and passion that fuels a group of free climbers as they scale the peaks in Oman.

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Leave your laptop at home along with your worries and escape to the rural village of Balad Sayt this weekend.

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FIND THE PERFECT GIFT Forget chocolates and teddy bears, let Hazar Al Zadjali help you create the perfect gift for your honey.

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Give us a shout with questions, comments, compliments, complaints, or just to say “Hi” Founder Essa bin Mohamed Al Zedjali Chairman Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali CEO Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com Chief Executive Editor Scott Armstrong felicia@timesofoman.com

Executive Features Editor Felicia Campbell Features Production Editor Swati Dasgupta

swati@timesofoman.com Senior Editors T. A. Ameerudheen Faisal Mohammed Naim

ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

faisal@timesofoman.com

Chief Sub-Editors Mohammed Shafeeqe, Ashish Dubash

ashishdubash@timesofoman.com Multimedia Editorial Assistants Shruthi Nair, Asmaa Al Balushi, Salim Hamood Al Afifi

shafeeq@timesofoman.com

salim@timesofoman.com

shruthi@timesofoman.com asmaa@timesofoman.com

Chief Creative Officer Adonis Durado Associate Art Director Waleed Rabin Graphic Editor Antonio Farach Design Editor Sahir K.M. Lead Designer Ali Jani Designers Antonio Ismael Sandiego Geri Batara Sonny Gregory Fernandez

Director of Digital Television Joe Morrison richard@timesofoman.com

Photography MMG Photographers Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham

aziz@timesofoman.com

Head Of Advertising & Marketing Aziz K. Baker Production Manager Shafi Shaik On The Cover Photography by Salim Al Afifi Design by Ali Jani For general inquiries or comments: HiWeekend@timesofoman.com

Muscat Media Group AN ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED COMPANY Post Box: 770, Postal Code: 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman EDITORIAL 24726600/24726666 Ext 235/160 felicia@timesofoman.com

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Tell us what you’re doing this weekend: Tweet us @HiWeekly_Oman; tag us in your weekend instagram photos @hiweekly_oman; or share with us on FB/hiweekly

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 5, 2016

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THE WEEKEND LINEUP Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend

04 05 06 FRIDAY

SATURDAY

10pm Ladies’ Special

11am Dhow Party

6:15am Trek or Treat

For ladies who are looking for an exciting way to spend their Thursday night, go to Miraj Ballroom next to Route 66.

Along with complimentary drinks and free entry, there is a whole lot of fun awaiting. DJ Hans will be playing the beats that will make you to hit the dance floor.

You wouldn’t want to miss this thumping dhow cruise at Bandar Khayran beach on Friday from 11am5.30pm where you get a chance to eat, play games, and chill out to the sounds of house music.

Join the Adventure Oman crew at Riyam Park this Saturday for an energetic and refreshing early morning trek to the Muttrah hills.

Qurm Beach Resort +968 2461 5560 titanee.com

+968 9711 7577 facebook.com/prismaticdjs

9pm Desi DJ Get ready to groove Bollywood-style at On the Rocks this Friday with DJ Akbar Sami, who will be playing thumping remixed classics.

+968 9931 8651 facebook.com/ AdventureOman

9am Saturday Souq Enjoy the good weather in a relaxing environment while you shop from over 40 stalls offering hip, handcrafted clothes, jewelry, and organic foods on The Walk at the Wave.

The Wave +968 9539 3333 facebook.com/souqessabt

Golden Tulip Seeb +968 9798 3333 goldentulipseeb.com

Photography: Supplied

THURSDAY

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Going to any of these MF events? Tag us on Instagram @hiweekly_oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly

CULTURAL FEST The magnificence of Muscat Festival starts at the main entrance of Amerat Park where decorative lights illuminate the alleys leading to the different venues. Men and women, clad in their traditional attire, can be seen in groups in the streets, dancing to the familiar folklore melody, but for those interested in stage shows and concerts, a visit to Naseem Garden is must. The shows will surely mesmerise you.

GOURMET’S DELIGHT

Highlights

Indulge in an array of traditional Omani

MF 2016

ridge-like harees; a sweet pudding known as

The annual Muscat Festival will run until February 13 at Amerat Park and Naseem Garden. Here are a few great events to check out this weekend.

BUY LOCAL While the Heritage Village at Amerat Park aims to give a mirror view of the entire Arab culture, there’s an exclusive spot for Omani products this year at the festival ground where 96 SME’s showcase a wide range of locally produced products including garments, accessories, perfume, frankincense, electronic items, dates, spices, foodstuff, and handicrafts.

dishes like sweet Omani halwa; crisp Omani bread with cheese, egg, and honey; porkhabeesa; crunchy sweet dumplings called Al lukaimat, and other Omani sweets and snacks at the Omani food corner in Amerat Park.

WORKSHOP FOR THE YOUTH As an extension of the Muscat Festival activities, Yosri Fouda, Suad Bushnaq, Ayman Gamal, Abdul Wahab Al Hamadi, and Majed bin Obaid Al Ameri will be giving a motivational talk called ‘Darbak Ghedr’ or ‘ your green way’ on 4th of February at 7:00pm in Qurum Natural Park. The talk is meant to inspire the youth to pursue their dreams.

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Where did you escape to this weekend?

Show us on Instagram @hiweekly_oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 5, 2016

KHALEEJI HAPPENINGS Broadcasting the best events in the GCC (February 04, 05, 06) 01

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Thursday, February 4 Kuwait Yacht Show 2016 (Kuwait City)

Have a glimpse of the marine industry at the Kuwait Yacht Show, and network with the experts in the field. It will showcase both local and international brands. The exhibition will be held at Marina Crescent in Kuwait City from 4th to 6th February.

Time: 4pm–9.30pm Marina Crescent, Arabian Gulf St, Salmiya, Kuwait +965 2572 0810 kuwaityachtshow.com

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Thursday, February 4 Gareth Emery Live (Dubai)

Blaze the dance floor of Zero Gravity in Dubai with magnificent live electronic music from DJ Gareth Emery. Doors open at 6pm–3am. Ladies get free entry before midnight, and guys before 10pm.

Entry is 100 AED. Time: 6pm–3am Zero Gravity, Skydive Dubai Drop Zone, Al Sufouh Road, Dubai, UAE +971 4 399 0009 0-gravity.ae

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Friday, February 5 Moon Fame Carnival (Riyadh)

Join Moon Fame Carnival at Mishkat in Riyadh, where children can participate and enjoy various activities ranging from Drama to Art and photography games.

Time: 3pm–9pm Mishkat, Olaya Street, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia moonfame.net

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Saturday, February 6 Qasr Al Hosn Festival (Abu Dhabi)

Celebrate Emirates rich heritage at Qasr Al Hosn festival from 3rd to 13th of February at Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi. The event will host cultural exhibitions, fun activities, visual performances, educational programmes, as well as a peep into the fort’s remarkable history. It is open for all.

Al Hosn, Sheikh Zayed the First Street, Abu Dhabi, UAE +971 2 666 4442; +971 800 555 tcaabudhabi.ae; qasralhosnfestival.ae

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FIVE TO TRY CHARITIES TO DO hiweekend@timesofoman.com

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FOR EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN Join the empowerment projects at Dar Al Atta which include job placements, building of libraries, training, and other enabling activities, by helping build and staff training centres. +968 2469 2996; daralatta.org

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FOR ORPHANS Be a part of the association of Omani Bahjah Orphan Society, which supports orphans under 20 years of age by giving them psychological, emotional, and financial support. +968 2328 9966 bahjah.net

FOR THE POOR & NEEDY Zakat and Sadaqa Charity is a voluntary community institution that supports poor families by providing them with food, clothes, furniture, devices, as well as mobilising funds for them. +968 9933 8284

Visit the New Look exhibition at Al Ain Convention Centre and find the finest fashion and beauty products, image consultancy services, as well as surgical and non-surgical treatments. The event will continue to run this weekend, closing on the 6th of February. Open from 3pm to 10.30pm.

Al Ain Convention Centre, Al Khabisi, Al Ain, UAE +971 4273 2212 baderuae.com

FOR THE BLIND

FOR THE ELDERLY

Al Noor Association Join the Omani Association for for the Blind provides support Elderly Friends to help the aged services in areas of development, enjoy a better life in terms of social, and vocation, hence enabling health, social, and legislative their members to live more responsibilities, and transactions in self-sufficiently. government departments. +968 2448 1551 +968 9573 3771; oafef.org/ar alnoor4blind.org.om

Photography: Supplied

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Saturday, February 6 New Look Beauty & Fashion Exhibition (Al Ain)

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WEEKEND ESCAPE

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

SHARAF AL ALAMAYN & BALAD SAYT Escape from the woes of modern life by heading to the tranquil mountain of Sharaf Al Alamayn and the charming little village of Balad Sayt and spend two days embracing a more traditional, rural way of life.

STORY OLGA AYMERICH

SATURDAY 07:00 Wake up with the first sun beams. An amazing day is awaiting you. Pack up camp and hit the road.

07:30 Drive on to Al Awabi village. Refuel your car and keep driving; after 10km take the detour to Wadi Beni Awf. Continue for 25km enjoying the views of the valley till you find the intersection to Balad Sayt and keep going. The village is well indicated, but only accessible by 4x4 (23°11’27.40”N 57°23’17.58”E).

11:00 Welcome to Balat Sayt, one of the country’s most picturesque mountain villages. Be amazed by the multi-shaded cultivated terraces built into the mountain. Walk around the maze of narrow alleyways connecting the mud and stone houses.

14:00 Stroll around the date palm plantations following the falaj system irrigated by the crystalline waters coming from the mountains.

15:30 Switch on some music and enjoy the easy two hour drive home.—HiWeekend@timesofoman.com

FRIDAY 08:00 Have an early breakfast, pack some sandwiches, a cool box of pre-made foods or your favourite barbeque fixings. Take the road toward Nizwa and follow the signs to Al Hamra.

10:30 Drive past Al Hamra towards Hatt until you reach Sharaf Al Alamein, the highest point on this road. Enjoy the standpoint that provides stunning views of the valley.

11:00 Get out of the car and breathe in the fresh air while you look for the W10 hiking trail information sign. It is time to start your the trek. Don’t forget to take your sandwiches and plenty of water on the fairly easy walk along the crests of the hills.

12:00 Reach the junction of W9 and W8 and keep walking on W8 up to the viewpoint of Hatt and Balad Sayt villages.

16:00 Get back to the car and pull out your gear to set up camp.

Make a bonfire for a barbeque or simply to enjoy its warmth as the dark decends around you.

Photography: MMG

13:00 Unpack your food and enjoy your well-deserved lunch surrounded by the majesty of nature.

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G N I B T O F E I X H G F-T O T

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LL BE P M CA GTH A I EN IC EL AL L F C Y OR N, FO I ST SE US H QI TA

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Many bemoan the approach of Valentine’s Day (now just over a week away) as they wade through a cliché sea of teddy bears, heartshaped chocolate boxes, and all manner of bouquets in search of a fun, unique way to express their affection. The gals at Boutique Muscat have devised a brilliant solution with customizable gift boxes for both men and women stuffed with gifts from their wide range of funky international and local products. The simple, chic gift boxes are styled with fresh-cut roses (OMR 19) and stuffed ones of their many creative combinations of gifts.The girls can also help shoppers select their own bespoke boxes for that special lady or man. no more oversized teddy bears required.

Orders will be taken until February 11th and can be placed and picked up at the Jawahrat Al Shatti or The Wave branches, but to create your own custom box, head to The Wave to browse the stock.

BOUTIQUE MUSCAT JawharatA’Shatti Mall, Qurum | The Walk at The Wave, Seeb +968 9569 2280 | BoutiqueMuscat.com | info@boutiquemuscat.com

Treat your mister with a super playful pack (set OMR 150.500) including woodenrimmed Barrel and Drum sunglasses (OMR 46.5), a decorative Arabic wooden letter (OMR 11), Havelock Bay swimming shorts (OMR 69), and an “emergency swimming tube” to make his favourite beverage float alongside him in the pool (OMR 2.500).

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A Modern Approach to Tradition STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY: T.A. AMEERUDHEEN

W

KIFAH AL MAZROUI

SAFIYA AL GHAFRI

HIYAM AL HARTHY

hat do Safiya Al Ghafri, Hiyam Al Harthy, and Kifah Al Mazroui have in common?

The three women work as teachers. They are trained artists. They take time off from their busy routine to create pieces of art. Above all, they dream of establishing an art gallery to showcase their works.

Those who visited Bait Al Baranda last week got an opportunity to meet the three talented Omani artists and see their unique works at an exhibition titled Tuhfa -2 (masterpiece), where visitors acknowledged Safiya’s ability to give a modern touch to the old-styled mandoos (bridal chests), Hiyam’s skills to produce artful pottery, and Kifah’s ability to depict vintage windows on canvas.

Safiya, who graduated with an art degree from Sultan Qaboos University in 2003, is proud to tread a path less taken by other artists in Oman.

“I realised the need to give new twist to Mandoos during my studies. Younger generation does not like the old-styled mandoos as they prefer the modern, design-heavy boxes,” she said.

Known as mandoos or sanduk in the traditional market, the Omani chests were used to store valuables in the traditional homes. However, the chests are now commonly used to present bridal gifts during Omani weddings, and thus they have acquired the name, bridal boxes.

It will contain the mehr (women’s dowry), perfumes, clothes, and jewellery on the wedding day.

Safiya’s fascination with wood design began during her childhood. According to her, she played with wood logs and her mother had predicted that she would become a carpenter.

Safiya’s latest collections include a Khanjar-shaped and star-shaped boxes. “It takes at least one month to ideate, design, and create new mandoos. Once the design is finalised, I assign the carpenter. Decorating the product is the next step,” she said.

An artist who is also adept in henna designs, make-up, and jewellery designs, Safiya said her bridal boxes are in huge demand all over GCC. “Apart from Omanis, people from Kuwait, UAE, and Qatar love my products.”

Safiya met Kifah, a science student, at the Sultan Qaboos University way back in 2000. The friendship blossomed, as did Kifah’s artistic journey. She helped Safiyah in her projects and learnt bits and pieces about arts.

Kifah completed her Bachelors degree in science, but she didn’t leave her passion for arts. “I was very good at pencil drawing when I was in school. Safiya noticed my interest when she saw one of my works. Then she suggested me to train under Abdul Majeed Karooh.

The training made me a painter,” said Kifah.

Kifah has been depicting windows of yore onto canvas now. She observes the wood patterns, colour, and surroundings very closely before working on a piece, and the most interesting thing about her work is her wise use of bright and dark colours. “Training under Karooh ignited my passion to work on windows. I am happy to showcase my works at Bait Al Baranda,” said Kifah, who also teaches science at a school in Sohar.

The third member of this clan of artists, Hiyam earned her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Ohio University in 2005, but she didn’t polish her skills after coming back to Muscat until Safiya prodded her to start working on ceramic and pottery art.

A drawing teacher in the architecture department of a leading city college, Hiyam now makes pottery using an electric potter’s wheel that she then takes the pieces to a special oven in Rumais. “After burning, the pottery has to be glazed before polishing and painting,” she said adding that she prefers working with white clay as it signifies the beginning of life. “Red clay is stronger, but I always prefer white.”

The three women say they are greatful for the support of Bait Al Baranda and leading Omani artist Abdul Majeed Karooh, who is famous for his own depictions of old doors. “It is a pleasure to associate with talented women artists,” said Karooh.

“It is so encouraging to get good feedback from art lovers,” said Hiyam. The success of the exhibition has inspired the trio to work towards setting-up a gallery to display their works and to provide a venue for other emerging female artists. “We want to form a permanent group of women artists,” they said, their voices filled with passion and determination.

—ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

SET-UP A VIEWING TO PURCHASE ART FROM THE TALENTED TRIO SAFIYA AL GHAFRI +968 9650 2219 KIFAH AL MAZROUI +968 9238 6525 HIYAM AL HARTHY +968 9144 4146

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LOVE OF THE GAME

S A I L O R

Nashwa Al Kindi is a talented Omani sailor who loves to breakdown boundaries and set records. The first Omani woman to obtain a motorcycle licence in 2000, she went on to add many feathers in her illustrious cap before earning the distinction of being the first Arab woman to make the 850-nautical mile, trans-oceanic crossing from Mumbai to Muscat STORY T.A. AMEERUDHEEN

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Falling for Sailing My tryst with sailing began in 2011 after Oman Sail announced its plans to recruit trainee women sailing instructors. Being a person who loves sun, sea, and sand, I didn’t have to think twice to send across my application. The rigorous selection process comprised of interviews and team activities, and I was picked for the sixmonth course. I finished first in all the training activities as I had previous experience in boat expeditions. After six months, Oman Sail appointed me as a sailing instructor. It was a dream come true for me and I felt I landed at the right place.

Early Challenges Sailing is a physically and mentally demanding sport. So I worked out in the gym for hours to keep myself fit. When the clock strikes 7 in the morning, I rush to the gymnasium. A rigorous workout follows for the next one-and-a-half hours to tone my muscles and get in some cardio-vascular exercises. I always try not to miss workout sessions.

Biggest Moment in Your Career I was quite ecstatic when I became the first Arab woman to make the trans-ocean crossing in 2014. It was a big achievement to successfully complete the 850-nautical mile journey across Indian Ocean that started from Mumbai in India, along with British quadriplegic sailor Hilary Lister aboard a 28ft Dragonfly trimaran. It took nine days for us to complete the sail. I hope my feat will inspire Omani and non-Omani women to go for their dreams and goals. Personally, the feat gave me strength to achieve my ultimate goal—to sail solo around the world.

Life as a Sailor For a sailor, everyday is different and I learn something new each time I sail. I hate the word loss, and believe that no situation is a loss in my career. It is either winning or learning. The belief helps me live without regrets.

Role Model I consider myself as my role model. So I try not to put myself down.

Goals for Next Season After donning the roles of sailing instructor and sailor, I am now busy working as a diver and captain with Oman Sail. I work hard to produce as many talents as possible.

Advise for Women Sailors If you want to become a good sailor, you have to work hard, keep fit, and never stop learning. Love what you do. Your efforts will pay the dividends one day.

Launched in 2011, the Oman Sail Women’s Sailing Programme aims to empower Omani women and create equal opportunities in the sport. Oman Sail set up a comfortable environment for girls wanting to learn and found the right female instructors to teach Omani girls the nuances of sailing. The Women’s Sailing Programme has now become a template for other organisations in Oman and across the Arab world looking to open up opportunities for women. Oman Sail recruited notable international female sailors as mentors and coaches for the programme. These include Shirley Robertson OBE, the first British woman to win two sailing gold medals at consecutive Olympic Games, and Dee Caffari MBE, the first woman to sail single-handedly non-stop around the world in both directions and the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world three times.

Photography: Courtesy of Oman Sail

OMAN SAIL’S WOMEN SAILING PROGRAMME

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SY M B OLS O F DISTINCTION STORY ASMAA AL BALUSHI PHOTOGRAPHY SALIM AL AFIFI

THOUGH OMANI DISHDASHA AND KHANJAR ARE DISTINCTIVE, THEY BEAR A RESEMBLANCE TO THE TRADITIONAL STYLES OF DRESS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE GCC, BUT SINGULAR TO THE SULTANATE ARE THE COLOURFUL TURBANS KNOWN AS MUSSAR.

he wrapped pashmina mussar sits like a crown on an Omani man’s head; a powerful symbol representative of the Sultanate’s glorious cultural diversity and national identity.

Mussar turbans and the embroidered caps called kummah are both part of the official Omani traditional dress.

However, the mussar is always worn for formal meetings, as it is more formal and wearing it is a sign of respect. It is an essential part of a man’s wedding at-

T

tire along with the khanjar that is worn around the waist.

Mussar can be tied on the head with or without a kummah beneath it. A kummah gives it a more structured form, but some also prefer to wear them without the kummah. The cloth itself is a luxurious piece of a man’s wardrobe, created from the finest wool fabric, and imported from the Indian state of Kashmir. It is cut into a square, and embellished with designs that are lead printed using patterns chiselled on wooden tablets. The design is then embroidered using fine threads

before the mussar is thoroughly washed to clean it of the lead and other residual material. Finally the finished mussar is packed and ready to be sold. Men take a lot of time matching their mussar to the colour of their dishdasha, and choosing an appropriate style. The three main styles of the cloth are the Termah, the most common throughout the Sultanate, which features colourful patterns and different patterns; the Al Subaaia Mussar, usually worn in Sur and Dhofar, which is colourful, but made without patterns; and there are two types of Al

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Saidiya mussar, one of them is blue and its called turban and is worn only by the royal family, and the other one features only one pattern in one colour and can be worn by anyone. From Muscat and Sur to Salalah, there are several unique ways to tie this beautiful turban. More than mere fashion in the past, the style in which a mussar was worn was a way to identify at a glance what region a man was from. Through the generations, the styles stuck, though these days some men like to experiment with different regional styles as a matter of fashion.

POPULAR AND COMMON STYLE (RIGHT) The common style of tying the mussar throughout Oman has many variations of lines and folds at the temple. It always covers the ears and features a triangular tail at the back. It is known to be the easiest and most customizable way of wrapping. See the infographic on page 22 to see how.

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SURI STYLE (LEFT) One of the most interesting and identiďŹ able styles comes from the coastal city of Sur. With a triple fold at the temple and the ears left exposed, whether worn with or without a kummah for structure, the end result is a very suave and composed look. The tail is tied in such a way that it folds upwards at the back of the head or the end of the mussar can be draped over the shoulders during formal occasions.

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BUY THE BEST

When shopping for a mussar, before a design is even considered, one has to know what material was used and what method was employed for the decorative stitching. Mussars are almost always made using Kashmiri wool, which is sheared from the sheep that inhabit the cold mountains of Kashmir in South Asia and considered to be the most suitable for this craft, thanks to its smooth texture and consistency. There are many types of Kashmiri wool, though the majority of mussars worn in Oman are made of Pashmina. Pashmina prices

ranges from OMR 60 to 450 depending on the quality, which is determined by the smoothness of the extracted wool.

There are several ways of manufacturing the mussar. Omani hand sewn mussar are considered the finest and most beautiful because a specific design will never be repeated twice. The hand stitched hatched strings have pristine accuracy creating total cohesion of the threads that emphasise the elaborate designs when worn. Because of the effort and time spent, mussar made by hand are the most expensive.

Machine stitched mussars are much easier to produce and significantly less expensive, though the mass produced mussars all feature the same designs. Printing mussars are considered to be the lowest quality as the quality of the printed design is often defective and the engraving wears and loses colour quickly.

RAMZ ALANAQA MUSSAR SHOP Mazin Al Balushi and Jasim Al Balushi opened their shop, Ramz Alanaqa, which means “Symbol of Elegance,” in Muttrah

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last year. The pair specialise in modern and traditional mussar styling, and rather than just selling the cloth, they aim to create distinctive looks for their clientele by choosing the perfect colour and teaching them new ways of styling the headdress in preparation for special occasions, weddings, religious ceremonies, and social events.

RAMZ ALANAQA, MUTTRAH, MUSCAT CONTACT: +968 9913 8995 TIMING: 10A TO 12PM – 5PM TO 10PM INSTAGRAM: @RAMZ_ALANAQA

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MUSCATI STYLE (RIGHT)

DHOFARI STYLE (LEFT)

Mostly worn in Muscat and especially popular with those of Balushi origins.

The turban covers the ears with a tail at the back of the head, sharing the same position and folding style at the temple as the popular style, but ďŹ tted tighter with more narrow taper.

This style of southern Oman also has many variations including tying the turban and keeping a part of it draped across the neck, or tying it and draping the corner over the head.

For the Dhofar style, ears are kept uncovered and the mussar is typically colourful but without inscriptions.

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asmaa@timesofoman.com

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THE MUSSAR EXPLAINED It is the proper attire for Omani men and is required to be worn at work.

Made of wool and handwoven, it acts as a barrier to the intense heat of the sun by protecting the head. In the same way, by keeping the head warm in the winter, the body doesn’t lose much heat to it, helping keep a person warm. In cold weather, most of a person’s body heat escapes through the head.

ch e

s( 1.3

9m

)

Quality

s( 1.0 1m

)

55

in

There is a wide variety of handiwork, but the better ones have the following characteristics:

in

ch e

If the uniform diamond pattern is visible to the naked eyes

40

Mussar is square-shaped and available in two sizes — a normal size for adults and a smaller one for children. A high quality mussar can last through generations.

High quality (Cost: OMR 125)

Low quality (Cost: OMR 25)

If the embroidery is handmade

Material

The fabric comes from the cheapest wool mixed with polyester or from the finest wool from Kashmir. High quality turbans are made of soft wool called Pashmina.

KASHMIR Srinagar

Leh

Quality fabrics are imported from Nepal and Kashmir.

Raw material Finished material

CHINA Plateau of Tibet

PAKISTAN N

NEPAL

New Delhi

If the fabric is very light and the best quality weighs under 13 grammes

Kathmandu

INDIA

If it’s branded, the initials or signature of the weaver is marked at the hem of the shawl

Pashmina

Pashmina, an indigenous word for Cashmere wool, is a term applied to a fabric or any type of wearable natural fibre originating from Kashmir. This term is derived from pashm, an old Persian word meaning any type of wearable fibre.

It is a wool derived from the undercoat of Cashmere goats which are native to the high mountains of Central Asia.

Shearing of the wool is done before the animals shed it naturally, and can be done as soon as temperatures are warm enough (early Spring) so that the goats do not suffer from cold.

The best quality fibre comes from the wool under the neck and the belly.

A productive Cashmere goat would yield 400 to 500 grams of fibre per year.

Style

The mussar is donned in many ways according to the region, practicality, and fashion sense

Size comparison

1 millimetre = 1,000 microns (μm) Human hair 80 μm Lower limit of visibility 40 μm Karakul 30 μm Mohair 25-30 μm Pashmina 16-20 μm

Increased 50 times

Saidiyyah look

Urban look

Interior look

A smart and popular look usually worn during special occasions, ceremonies and business events.

The mussar is tied around the head in a casual way, with or without the kummah.

Function rules over fashion. It is loosely worn without the kummah to protect against the elements.

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ARRANGING THE HEADDRESS Wrapping the mussar 2

3

Cover the head leaving 90 degrees corner in the nape

Fold the main side of the triangle, keeping the design at the top

Head and kummah (Top view)

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R 7

Leave a small tail behind

Fit it behind the head. The left tail should be above and the right tail under

L L

8

R Wrap the right extreme along the left side of the head

Kummah (inside)

1

Right

Make three twists near each ear

Fold it and make a triangle

Preparing the kummah

Left

Mussar (outside)

Fold it at the top

Complete the turn by inserting the right tail under the knot behind the head

Make a counter clockwise round with the left tail and adjust under the knot behind 9

L

Make sure that the cloth is wide this time to show the embroidery

Amamah Saidiyyah

The traditional Omani way to wear this delicate headdress is by arranging these two elements (Mussar and Kummah) into a turban — wrapping the mussar around the Kummah. In this sequence, the important thing to consider is to keep the Mussar embroidery in front.

Two lengths sewn together with fabric made on a pit-loom and woven from silk threads. Assistance is required when fastening it into a turban. This is worn exclusively by the male members of the Royal family. This design is being used since the 1800s.

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 5, 2016

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 5, 2016

INTO THEVALLEY OF GIANTS A DOCUMENTARY ON ROCK CLIMBING

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 5, 2016

STORY MOHAMMED SHAFEEQE PHOTOGRAPHY DAN BATES, TARA ATKINSON, PHILIPPE RIBIÈRE, AND READ MACADAM

undreds of feet in the air, Read Macadam’s unfailing fingertips and toes barely clung to the side of a huge boulder.

Read was ascending the giant rocks of a remote canyon high up in the Selma Plateau in the Eastern Hajar Mountains along with Dan Bates, Miguell Willis, and Philippe Ribière—and filming the whole thing.

Read was doing a free solo climbing, which means he has no rope to support him; one false move would mean a long fall to the rocky ground below. He looked up at filmmaker and close friend, Miguel, who was capturing the climb in silence.

“So what should I be doing? Do you want me to make it look like this is hard for me?” He laughed, breaking the tension.

Watching the 32-year-old Canadian climber, is like watching something out of an action movie. Dan Bates, one of Read’s climbing partners, was so amazed by his friend’s abilities that he partnered up with Miguel and started turning his climbs into documentaries.

And it was. In 2013 Read was part of the film Out of the Dark, which was shot in the famous 7th Hole Cave in Oman’s Selma Plateau.. He and Jacob Oberhauser, a very respected climber who wrote a climbing guide book on Oman, made history by climbing out of the steepest part of the main chamber of the stunning with no equipment.

“The Out of the Dark project was awesome,” Read said. “Climbing ground up using no fixed gear, we climbed from the base of the main chamber of 120m deep 7th Hole Cave into the light of the Selma Plateau, leaving no trace. The climbing was loose and dirty, at times scary and an absolute adventure in the most unique place I have ever climbed. At the time of the shoot we were passing through hard times in our lives. I was in the middle of a divorce. During the shoot, my ex-wife flew here to sign on the divorce paper. Jacob was also going through a very dramatic time and he told me climbing helped him from going to even darker places and drinking.

“He was really living that. We

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 5, 2016

both have these demons and being in the dark cave, climbing into the light together like buddies was literally coming to the light.

“It was my first cave climb in Oman, and as the light shifted across the cool walls of the cave, something completely unexpected was illuminated.

We climbed from the dark hole into the sun in life; a metaphor for what climbing means in our lives, a place to recharge and feel the light. It really remained with me, just how important it is to live close to my passion and follow my heart.”

Read started climbing rocks when he was seven in Squamish, near Vancouver in Western Canada. “I saw my uncle climbing and he had huge muscles, I thought he was like the Terminator. I didn’t want to play football, rugby or ice hockey, I wanted to climb. With my uncle and my dad I started rock climbing. Squamish, which is a world famous place for granite climbing, is almost like Muscat with sea and mountains nearby, but green trees in summer and snow in winter.”

At the age of 10 he joined the indoor climbing team in Vancouver and participated in many contests. In 1996, at age 13, Read bagged the second position in the Canadian national championship. “It was a surprise for me as well, because I didn’t have any idea about the competition. In 2000 and 2001 I travelled to compete in the Youth World Championships.

I stopped training at 18 when I began university and in the end I put climbing aside for a few years from 2001 to 2004. But I really felt something was missing in my life without it. In 2004 I got back into climbing and in 2007 I moved to the Arabian Peninsula. Since then I have dedicated myself to training and to opening new climbs and areas here, which has put me at the forefront of the climbing scene in the region,” he smiled.

For Read, every winter season in Oman means a flood of

projects to explore during the perfect weather. His current project started in February last year when Philippe, a professional French climber, and Dan, an American world traveller, came to visit him.

“Through my climbing equipment sponsors I have this great opportunity to invite other world class climbers to Oman,” he said. “Two years ago in the summer I was on the Petzl Roc trip, travelling and climbing in the Balkans — Bulgaria, Turkey, Macedonia. and Romania — where I met some other climbers from around the world. It was on this trip that I became friends with Philippe. He is a paraclimber and is very inspiring.

He has physical limitations and that requires him to seek different and creative ways to climb. I invited him to Oman and he replied, ‘Okay, let’s do something’.

That is how it started.”

The other members of the impromptu crew included, Miguel and Dan, an American who has been travelling around the world for five consecutive years after seven years working in an ice-cream factory in Eastern America saving money to fuel his wanderlust. “He worked just to be able to travel. And he came in, he is a good friend, and he was blown away by Oman.

Miguel is a professional cinematographer who often films in Oman,” Read explained.

The group set out to explore

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a remote wadi in the Selma Plateau and discovered a canyon they dubbed, ‘Valley of Giants,’ because after eons of flash floods only the most massive boulders now remain.

The crew took two separate five-day trips in January 2015.

“It was tough because even in winter it can be hot and humid for hard climbing in the canyons. To manage the heat we had to wake up early and climb into the night by head torch. We camped there and got up by 6am to walk down to the canyon to start climbing. We climbed and filmed for five straight days and then got back to Muscat for two days for rest and to refuel stock food and go again.

Film production on a climbing trip is bit different from a normal movie.“You are not staging anything, but you are trying to capture each moment as it is happening. It is a big challenge as when we shoot, we have to think of the lighting and the shooting aspect, but hard climbing requires cold temperatures, which means shade. You cannot shoot in perfect light or to a schedule. So we did the best that that we could so the climbers could have the best possibility to climb well,” Read explained. “Sometimes you just have to climb a route twice to capture it beautifully.”

Miguel, who had just finished filming an Empty Quarter crossing, used a Panasonic

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GH4 and Sony f5and GoPro cameras to shoot the footage, which Read took two months to edit. “After searching for weeks for the right music, which must have an Arabic flavour fit for the film, I zeroed in on the Jordanian band, Zaed Naes.”

In November, when the film was complete, the first plan was to release it online. “We have a lot of partners in the climbing world including international climbing magazines to which we have shared articles and photography. I was surprised that soon after the teaser was released I was asked to show it at some film festivals,” he said.

Internationally the film has already been screened in many countries including Peru, Colombia, Tunisia, UK, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, and it is going to be screened at mountain festivals in Slovenia and Italy this month before being released to the public in late February.

Read is still seeking support to screen the movie in Oman. “I have not yet found any partners to support playing the film in Oman. Since I do not have the budget to pay for a cinema or other venue myself I would love to get partners in screening this film in Oman to promote the fantastic climbing potential in this wonderful country.”

The film opens in an ancient village settlement nestled in a valley full of giant, freestanding boulders. Here you join the group as they climb first ascents in the backyards of a traditional people. The film locations, in Umq Bir, and around Nakhal and Wadi Mistal, provide the ideal backdrop for a story about exploration.

“Most of the climbs we did in the film were new ascents, and that thrill is what drives us,” Read said. “We hope it inspires viewers to get out and have their own adventures.”

—shafeeq@timesofoman.com

You can read more about the film and watch the teaser at valleyofgiantsfilm.com

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Certificate presentation Kims Oman Hospital (KOH) has achieved the prestigious ACHSI (Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International) Accreditation. The official certificate presentation ceremony was held at Grand Hyatt Hotel Muscat. Photos: A R Rajkumar/Supplied

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 5, 2016

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Scouts Camp Three-day Annual Scouts Camp organised at Indian School Muladha.

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 5, 2016

SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY Fill empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column, and area.

Level | Very Easy

8

Level | Easy

2

1

7

8

2

4

4

4

5

9

4

1

2

3

7

9

5 2

2

8

8

3

5

3 1

4

8

6 2

6 8

6

4

5 1

8

7

2

6

4

9

4

4 1

7

3

8

3

Level | Difficult

8

6

6 4

4

2

6 9

7

1

2

5

8

4

5

8 4

6 1

3 4

3

7

7

6 5

2

1 6

3

2

1

7 5

6

4

8

9

2

8

3

7

4

9

8

3 8

4

5

9

2

5

8

3

4

3

2

Level | Moderate

2

1

1

8 1

4 3

9 3

6

6

4 9

6

7

8

4

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