Hi Weekly - July 1, 2016

OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 46,760 COPIES

VOL 10 ISSUE 27 / JULY 1, 2016

CELEBRATE THE LAST WEEKEND OF RAMADAN BREAK OUT OF YOUR ROUTINE FOR IFTAR AND SUHOOR THIS WEEK.

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THIS WEEK IN OMAN

GET INSPIRED Learn about Aisha Alawi Baabood, an incredible Omani woman who is changing the lives of children suffering from Irlen Syndrome here in Oman.

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DISCOVER OMANI MISBAHA

ENJOY EID MEMORIES

On his nightly walks to the mosque with his grandfather, Salim came to understand about the true power of this simple string of beads.

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In the final instalment of our special series of Ramadan personal essays, read about our Muscat essayists’ most memorable Eid moments.

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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

ashishdubash@timesofoman.com

swati@timesofoman.com Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

salim@timesofoman.com

Senior Editors T. A. Ameerudheen Faisal Mohammed Naim Mohammed Shafeeqe

faisal@timesofoman.com

Associate Editors Salim Hamood Al Afifi Shruthi Nair Syed Haitham Hasan

shafeeq@timesofoman.com

shruthi@timesofoman.com haitham@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 Photography MMG Photographers

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Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham 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

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MARVELLOUS MOSQUES

PHOTOGRAPHY: SALIM AL AFIFI

MASJID SALEM BIN SAID AL RAWAHI Tucked away in the Qurum neighbourhood, this beautiful mosque was opened in 2006. Its exterior sports a combination of pink and peachy orange, with iconic “miniature tree” details adorning the edges of its walls.

Islamic carvings are infused with contemporary flair on the ornate windows, and the holy structure is crowned with a contrasting, royal blue dome that nicely breaks up the soft colour palette of the exterior. It is a wonderful place to sit and pray and relect on our many blessings.

VERSE

            And He found you lost, and guided you.

(Ad-Duhaa, 93:7)

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THURSDAY

What are you doing after-Iftar this weekend? Tag us on Instagram @hiweekly_oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly

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FRIDAY

SATURDAY

30 01 02 8pm onwards Join the Ranks

The Holy Month of Ramadan is an apt time to do noble deeds. If you are looking for a charitable cause to support then go to Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa this weekend to meet and chat with NGO/NPO workers and volunteers to learn how w you can do your part..

Visit a Brand New Oasis

Get Behind the Lens

Visit Landmark group’s newest mall, Oasis, this weekend to enjoy an amazing shopping, dining, and entertainment experience. They have carnival-themed activities for the opening weekends, making it a great after-Iftar destination.

Learn the essentials of photography—ISO, what lens to use, finding the right light—from ace photographer, Sharukh Zalam. Pre-registration is required for this beginner’s workshop, which will be held at the Delicious Dance Academy.

Oasis Mall, Al Khuwair +968 2208 6000 facebook.com/ oasismallalkhuwair

DDA, Studio 1 (near Etihad offices) MBD, Ruwi

Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah S h Resort and Spaa +968 2477 62133 events.slmu@shangri-la.com even m

9pm m See a New Collection n Visit the Mazayenn showroom in Al Khuwairr for the launch of theirr new, super chic “Beach-A-Colada” summer collection,, just in time to score thee perfect Ramadan gift forr the fashionista in your life..

Mazayen Showroom, Al Khuwairr +968 9468 30177 mazayen.nett

AFTER IFTAR EVENTS

facebook.com/ sharukhzphotography +968 9948 8405

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FIVE TO TRY

DATE SHOPS

BATEEL Bateel is known around the world for their incredible, gourmet dates from Saudi Arabia. They not only offer a wide variety of both plain dates and filled, they also have fantastic gift packages that are perfect for Eid. The dates with caramelised-nut filling are a must-try.

Various Malls (MGM, MCC, Oasis by the Sea) bateel.com +968 2439 6184 MESHAN This new Omani confectioner and cafe offers innovative mix-andmatch flavours of date sweets, like dates with frankincense and rose water, served with special Meshan traditional kahwa. While they have an array of date-based desserts, don’t miss out on the stuffed dates, which are unsurpassed.

Al Masa Mall, Sarooj Shatti Al Qurum meshan.net +968 9779 2463 TMREYA This fine dates and confectionary shop offers traditional stuffed dates, chocolate-coated dates, and lux date truffles, along with beautiful Arabian sweets in glamorous gift baskets and trays.

Qurum Commercial Area (Nearby SABCO Centre) tmreya.com +968 2459 6670 TAMRAH This Omani shop specialises in combining luscious Belgian chocolate with fine Omani dates.

The dates with rose water are especially good.

Opera Galleria, Shatti Al Qurum +968 2440 3808

MEDYAF

SHRUTHI AND SALIM’S RAMADAN SPECIAL Shruthi and Salim were given the task of coming up with tips to educate readers about the “Dos and Don’ts of Ramadan”.

Their desperate and disastrous attempts were caught on film and packaged into a special Ramadan mini-series.

Check out the final episode on facebook.com/hiweekly

PHOTOGRAPHY: IONONE BANGCAS (RAMADAN SPECIAL); SUPPLIED (DATES)

Medyaf serves Omani sweets, chocolates, and all sorts of dates, and it’s famous for its beautifullydecorated date gift packages.

Enjoy dates with a cup of kahwa while you shop.

Nabhani Complex, Ghala Street, +968 9735 4444 medyaf.com

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A F T E R - IF TA R A C T I V I T IE S

BOARD GAMES I

n the hectic and busy lives that we all lead, Ramadan comes as a welcome break where we all get time for ourselves and our families. The Holy Month is considered a time to re-enforce our bonds with those near and dear to us, and while some families prefer to spend time talking to each other about their history, Islam, and Arabian traditions, others prefer indulging in group activities and games. Board games can be a lot of fun, especially after Iftar when all you want to do is sit somewhere cosy and air-conditioned, eat, and pass the time.

There are a number of board games that you can play at home but if you fancy going out with family or friends to break your fast and have some post Iftar fun, then head to the Ziyara Café (+968 9905 1896) in Madinat Sultan Qaboos where, along with your meal, you can order a deck of cards, a chess board, a backgammon set or dominoes to enjoy playing for as long as you like.

Backgammon Backgammon is an ancient two player game wherein a dice is rolled, and the pieces are advanced until they make it off the board. Whoever removes all his pieces first, wins. Learn the nuances at bkgm.com

Mahjong This ancient Chinese card game is played with a set of 144 tiles marked with Chinese characters and symbols. It is played in a similar way to the western game of rummy. Read up at rummy.com/mahjong to learn the Mahjong moves.

Cards If you have a standard deck of cards and few friends to play it with, then you won’t need anything else to kill time . This is probably because there are just so many games that can be played and so many variations that require only a deck of 52 cards. Check out pagat.com for hundreds of games and how to play them.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

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Chess If you feel a little brilliant and want to put your strategic abilities to the test, then prey on your younger sibling and ask him or her to join you in a chess battle. Get a battle plan at chess.com

Scrabble Another fun family game for up to four-players is scrabble. All you need to do is place your lettered tiles in a row or column to form meaningful words. Though the words have to be in the dictionary, part of the fun is inventing new words and seeing how well you can convince the other players of your spelling credibility.

Buy Scrabble game at a hypermarket, like LuLu.

Dominoes Beyond setting them up and knocking them down, there are several variations on the game of dominoes, which can be played by a pair or with a group like poker.

Check out your options at domino-games.com

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IFTAR

IFTAR IN A CHIC BEDOUIN COURTYARD STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY SALIM AL AFIFI

Breaking one’s fast in an air-conditioned, semi-outdoor space, gazing at trees, branches hung with colourful lanterns, inside an enormous tent at one of the most sophisticated dining venues in the city, is certainly a memorable way to celebrate Iftar.

The Restaurant in the Chedi Hotel Muscat, has been transformed, with an atmosphere that is reminiscent of a Bedouin courtyard-style buffet (albeit the fanciest, most contemporary of courtyards), giving the otherwise super-modern space, a homier Middle Eastern feel.

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s soon as I walked inside the chic Restaurant, a waiter escorted me back out again, to an outdoor area I thought of as a secret garden.

I looked around, searching for a perfect spot for my evening meal, settling on a table by a pink-lanterned tree. I sat down, and as I waited for the clock to strike seven, I took in the rest of the space, noticing a few unique touches that really enhanced the Arabian theme. The vintage, white air conditioners mounted atop the woven tent fabric reminded me of the old houses in interior villages, the trees surrounded by tiny rocks added to the natural feel, and a huge black pot had been filled with burning frankincense, which perfumed the air.

A few minutes before the Maghreb adan, an army of waiters entered, holding trays with glasses of water and Ramadan staples laban, and my personal favourite, Vimto, a juice made of grapes, raspberries, and blackcurrants. They placed the drinks on my table along with dates and dried apricots, just in time. As the adan sounded, I broke my fast with apricots and washed them down with Vimto.

The buffet at Chedi is quite extensive with a variety of delicious traditional and Arabian dishes. I grabbed a plate and filled it with an assortment of hot and cold mezzes, savouring hummus, mutabal, tabbouleh, fattoush, stuffed grape leaves, samboosa, fried kebbe, stuffed pastries, and flatbreads.

After enjoying the mezzes, I loaded a small plate with a colourful array of Arabic sweets and exotic fruits, including fruit salad, dragon fruit, pineapple, and watermelon.

The aroma of nut-mixed biryani rice filled

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the air, and I found myself lured back to the buffet line where I took a big plate which I filled with fragrant biryani, chewy Dawood Basha meatballs loaded with pine nuts, and, what turned out to be the star of the show, hamoor fish served with saffron rice.

After enjoying the sumptuous Arabic feast, I retired to the other tent for coffee and tea.

There I sat, luxuriating in the relaxing ambiance and the afterglow of my very special meal.

—salim@timesofoman.com

COST - OMR21 per person - Guests can also order a la carte dishes from the restaurant’s menu for an additional price

STARS OF THE BUFFET - Chicken Biryani - Hamoor with Saffron Rice - Vermicelli rice - Dawood Basha Meatballs - Arabic Mixed Grill - Mezze Selection -Fantastic Exotic Fruits

Make a Reservation The Restaurant at The Chedi +968 2452 4343 banqueting@chedimuscat.com

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MEALS AFTER MIDNIGHT

DINE OUT SUHOOR

STORY SHRUTHI NAIR

T

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED, SALIM AL AFIFI

he most holy and sacred month in an Islamic calendar is about to conclude with the much-awaited Eid Al Fitr celebrations.

This year, like most years, people were seen fasting religiously from dawn to dusk, bringing themselves closer to Allah, meeting friends and relatives, sharing with one another, and practising noble deeds. While the idea behind fasting is to exercise selfrestraint and detach oneself from worldly pleasures, the one moment that all those who are fasting look forward to is Iftar, but many forget about the distinct joys of Suhoor.

Contrary to popular belief, Suhoor is the more important meal of the two as this predawn meal is the one that fuels you up for the 18-hours of rigorous fasting that follows. The Suhoor meal is eaten just before the break of dawn when you’d normally be fast asleep and while many prefer to have their Suhoor meal at home, so they can eat, pray, and get to bed, on this last weekend of Ramadan, why not do something different and go out for a celebratory Suhoor. And one of the best places in Oman to have one such Suhoor-out is at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah’s Al Mazaar Souk in the Omani Heritage Village.

When I arrived at the Heritage Village, I was greeted by a grand red carpet lit with little Arabian lanterns on either sides, which lead me straight into the Al Mazaar Souk.

As I stepped inside, I stopped and just let the atmosphere seep in. The arrangement of couches and hanging lanterns reminded me of the Arabian Nights cartoon I used to watch as a child. I loved it. It was as though my childhood wonderland had actually come to life.

The open souk had been converted into a huge tent with different types of seating arrangements such as long tables for huge groups, an intimate table for two, cushioned solo chairs around the fountain and private fourseater mini tents, to suit the tastes of the varied guests and visitors to the place. The entire place was dimly lit and everything about it— from the huge fountain in the centre of the room, to the embroidered tablecloths draped over the tables at the

food stations —was pure Omani. As the clock struck 9, I began to hear the soft sound of music, which was audible, yet didn’t play the role of an intruder into the private conversations, hearty laughter, and indulgent discussions that were happening around me. The two skilled Lebanese musicians playing the tabla and the oud blended seemlessly with the ambiance, both visually and auditorily.

The attendant soon arrived and presented me with the special Suhoor menu, waiting patiently while I went through the booklet.

The elaborate menu contained every staple Arabic appetiser, main course, dessert, and drink that you could think of, and after going through the entire menu, my friend and I decided to go for hummus with lamb cubes and a chicken shish tawook, which was served with fries and fattoush.

For drinks, we opted for the oh-sopopular Vimto and mint laban.

Our drinks arrived, and I had my first opportunity to taste Vimto, the red Ramadan drink that I had heard so much about. When I actually took a sip, it reminded me a little of Rooh Afza, a popular Indian squash. The mint laban was a refreshing glass of buttermilk, which did the job of quenching my thirst.

Our meal arrived, and though the meats were cooked to perfection and the spices retained a perfectly authentic Arabic taste, what really impressed me was the quantity. It wasn’t too heavy, like I had expected it to be, instead the portion was just perfect for a predawn meal.

After our meal, I just hung around for a while in my cosy private tent watching the musicians play and listening to their notes play between the soft chatter of other visitors, turning from time to time to watch the Euro Cup football match being telecast on the television in a space adjacent to the Mazaar Souk.

As the night wore on, the crowd only seemed to grow, and I can certainly see why. The cheerful space offered a perfect balance of tranquil calm and lively, positive energy. It was quite simply a wonderful place to enjoy the last meal of the night.

— shruthi@timesofoman.com

Make a Reservation Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa +968 2477 6666

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EID MEMORIES EID HOME AND AWAY

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STORY SALIM AL AFIFI

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e’ve been following this Eid tradition for years in my family, and every year we all look forward to the festive day, marked on our calendar, with nothing short of sheer excitement.

My family and I would always gather at my grandparents’ house right after the last Taraweeh prayer on the evening before Eid to prepare the ever-delicious traditional dish arsiya, which is a mash of rice and cooked meat.

Seated in a circle, our job would be to separate the boiled meat from the bone, prepare the rice, and then cook it together in a massive pot. As we sat in the kitchen as a family, the air was filled with laughter as we interspersed our serious task with silliness and some funny photobombed pictures.

On Eid morning, we would wake up at the crack of dawn, a bit reluctantly at first, to get ready for Eid prayers. I’d put on my new dishdasha and mussar and spritz myself with fine fragrances, like oud and Amouage, bought especially for this sacred occasion.

After prayers my male family members and I would head back home where the smell of arsiya and other traditional dishes had filled the house and were being set out for breakfast.

My fondest memories of Eid will always be our family trips to the interiors of Nizwa, where we went to visit our relatives. There I was delighted to get highvalue notes for Eidiya (the money given to children during Eid), and to eat lots of grilled mishkak with uncles and cousins.

During the Eid days that followed, I often skipped the meet-and-greet sessions with relatives, preferring to spend time with my friends. But as I look back on the Eids of my childhood, it is the simple, joyful moments I spent with my family, that I know I will cherish and remember all my life.

—salim@timesofoman.com

STORY DEEBA HASAN

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EIDS PAST AND PRESENT STORY ASMAA ABDULKHALIQ AL-BALUSHI

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ach year, as the fasting days of Ramadan dwindle, we begin to eagerly await the sighting of the moon. Our joy knows no bounds when the moon finally appears between the folds of the clouds in the sky, thus marking the first day of Eid. Looking back I have so many fond memories of Eid. Every year my mother bought us henna and some cosmetics a day before Eid, and my sister and I would go to our aunt’s house to apply it to our hands and feet. After our henna was dry, we would go home and join our mother and aunts as they prepared

Omani halwa. Our excitement would increase when we spied the bundles of Omani Rials that we knew were being kept aside to give us as Eidiya.

On the night before Eid we would clean-up and light incense at home and then change into our new outfits.

My brothers and my dad would wear new clothes and go for Eid prayers. The sounds of Eid Takbeers coming from the minarets and houses made the atmosphere all the more pious. Meanwhile, I would keep all my clothes, shoes, and accessories ready for the next morning, when I

would finally get to wear my new Eid attire.

On Eid day, I would get up early and dress quickly, rushing to join my cousins and friends in collecting Eidiya.

Though every year there is something new in my Eid celebrations, perhaps the way we forget all our differences and simply enjoy time with family and loved ones has become more important to me than Eidiya, but the memories of Eids past always come back to me, and I think they will always remain most precious in my heart and mind.

—asmaa@timesofoman.com

hen I think of my childhood Eids in Oman, my vision is filled with joyful and warm memories; of the large gatherings; the festive spirit; the new clothes, shoes, and jewellery; and of course, the Eidi or Eidiya, which is the money given as a gift to children on the first day.

Eid Al Fitr, the holiday that marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, is often celebrated in my home in an even bigger way than Eid Al Adha, simply because it comes immediately on the heels of a month of fasting, making it an especially wonderful time to eat, meet friends, and rejoice with family, with many beloved traditions and rituals.

New clothes are a very important affair; a vital part of the celebrations, so much so that many give charity specifically to enable the under-privileged to be able to afford their Eid outfits.

Eidi is an amazing ritual, for which the children of the house look for adults in the family to ask them for money, which they later use to buy gifts.

As expatriates, very often during the Eid holidays my family and I would take trips to Dubai or to Salalah if it was the khareef (monsoon) time.

But, if we decided to stay back in Muscat, it was just as fun, as we took the time to invite people over and go out to large Eid gatherings. This was my opportunity to dress up in traditional clothes and jewellery, something I didn’t do other times of the year.

That’s one of the special things about Ramadan and Eid, it is a time when we do things differently, we break our routines.

Eid in Oman has always been something special for me, and though I’m now grownup, I find that year after year, I still eagerly anticipate Eid Al Fitr as much as I ever have.

—deeba@timesofoman.com

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MADE IN

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LENDING A HELPING HAND STORY OLGA AYMERICH

WHITE HANDS CENTRE FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY & REHABILITATION IS THE ONLY REHAB CENTRE IN OMAN THAT INTEGRATES ASSISTED TECHNOLOGY WITH EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION

YOUR NAME: Aisha Alawi Baabood YOUR HOMETOWN: Salalah COMPANY NAME: White Hands Centre for Assistive Technology & Rehabilitation BUSINESS TYPE: Rehabilitation Centre YEAR STARTED: 2014 CLAIM TO FAME: The first and only rehabilitation centre that uses assisted technology for special education and rehabilitation.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 4 INSPIRATION: My own disabled child and my own struggles as an Irlen Syndrome sufferer.

What inspired you to start the centre?

My own personal story. I have a disabled child who had to be educated, as it is his right, but there were no special educational options available.

How would you describe your business?

White Hands Centre for Assistive Technology & Rehabilitation is the only rehabilitation centre in Oman that integrates assisted technology with education and rehabilitation.

What’s your favourite campaign you have done so far?

We have done a lot of community service.

Each year, we conduct more than 20 different programmes in which we target different segments of the society. The best one we did was in Muscat Festival 2015. The purpose of the campaign was to raise public awareness about the number of traffic accidents that are caused by symptoms of Irlen Syndrome.

What was your greatest challenge when you first got started?

The fear of financial insecurity after resigning from my job as an academic at Sultan Qaboos University.

What’s your biggest challenge now that you are up and running?

Dealing with the bureaucracy. Many of those in the ministries responsible for facilitating programmes for the disabled in Oman, do not see our work as a service to the community. It is so difficult to change the mindset of those who see a big divide between business and charity, as they are typically resistant to social business ventures and social entrepreneurs. There is also a lack of understanding when it comes to the importance of assistive technologies in improving the quality of life for the disabled. This is why we spend so much on social awareness programmes, because I know that the

people of Oman are happy to support this life-changing programme, just as soon as they become aware of what we are doing.

What do you personally see is your greatest success so far?

Winning 2 SME awards from Omantel and Al Zubair and the Al Mar’a Excellence Award in Social Responsibility.

What is your dream for your centre?

To expand the services we are currently offering in the centre and add more products. Also, to branch out into the other areas of Oman so we can help as many disabled people as possible.

What developments do you hope to see in social entrepreneurship in Oman?

I hope to change the mindset of the decision makers in the ministries so they might re-think and re-plan for better services that really serve social and educational goals. We see and hear about many committees that are mandated to study the current situation of disabilities, identify setbacks, and create solutions.

Yet, in reality nothing has changed.

Hence, if other social entrepreneurs decide to come up with a realistic solution that helps solve the social issues, then why not appreciate and support them.

We should be working hand in hand with each other.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about starting an association here in Oman, what would it be?

Make sure you get on board with people who have the same values, share the same vision, and understand what their mission is, otherwise it will collapse in no time.

Make sure they are committed and assist you in reaching the overall goals you set.

What advise do you have for those struggling with a disability?

Never give up on you dreams, especially if you have a passion. Keep dreaming big. Be the change. That’s how society develops.

BOOK A CONSULTATION, GET MORE INFORMATION, OR DONATE

WHITE HANDS CENTRE Al Mawaleh South-Near Sultan Centre +968 9949 4695 Facebook: White Hands Centre Instagram: whitehandscentre Twitter:@whitehandsoman

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Grandpa’s Golden Misbaha STORY SALIM AL AFIFI

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n a recent morning, I took my beloved mother to Muttrah Souq to buy some spices. As we walked towards the entrance of the souq, an antique shop stopped me in my tracks. The window was strung with a kaleidoscope of shiny, colourful, bejewelled prayer beads and as I gazed up at them, my mind drifted back to my late grandfather and to his golden misbaha. * With countless things in common, beginning with our name, Salim, my grandpa and I had an unshakable relationship full of love and curiosity. The curiosity was mostly mine, and it was at times unquenchable. Miraculously, his patience in answering me seemed to be limitless.

When I was just a boy, we would take long walks to the mosque for Maghreb prayers each evening, and with every slow, leisurely step we would delve deeper into the discussion of the night, most often about Islam.

On one such night, I noticed a chic gentleman in a black embroidered mussar murmuring quietly to himself, grasping a long thread of beads, which he would move one at a time with his thumb. I gazed up at him, fascinated.

“Didn’t I tell you it’s impolite to stare at

people?” my grandpa whispered to me.

I quickly glanced away, but I was too curious to let it go, so after a few minutes, I looked up at my grandfather and asked him what that man had been holding in his hand.

“That Salim, is a misbaha,” he answered, an amused smile playing on his lips.

“What exactly is a misbaha?” I pushed.

He put his hand into his right pocket and removed a thread of golden coloured plastic beads. “This is a misbaha, it’s used

by Muslims around the world to praise and glorify Allah after prayers. It’s made of either 99 beads, or it can be like this one in my hand, which has 33 beads,” he explained.

“Beads?” I replied, having never heard the term before.

He pointed at the little orbs. “These small rounded pieces are called beads, and they represent the 99 names of Allah,” he said, handing the misbaha to me as he spoke. “It’s a tool made for Muslims to keep track of what they are reciting, so I like to call it a memory aid.”

My curiosity was far from satisfied.

“Allah has 99 names, but you only have 33 beads, so how do you use it,” I asked.

“I use it in three cycles, which makes for 99 total,” he said, his gate quickening as we neared the mosque.

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‘Misbaha’ and Where To Buy Them As my grandpa said, misbaha are a powerful tool Muslims use to perform tasbeeh, which is a sacred practice of prayer and supplication to help overcome obstacles and to bring about peace in one’s heart. Misbahas come in a variety of forms, designs, and colours and they are made with materials from different parts of the world. There’s plastic from China, crystals and stones from India, red coral from Iran, marble-shaped beads from Pakistan, and the popular amber from Yemen, Russia, and Germany. You can find vintage ones made of wood from Sudan, which are the original wood-scented beads.

Royal Handicraft Gift Centre Muttrah Souq, Muttrah +968 2471 4587

We did our ablution and sat just behind the Imam, and I watched as my grandpa removed his golden misbaha and started to speak softly, just like the man I’d spotted along our way. I scooted over even closer to him to try and hear the words he was saying, but his voice was so hushed and breathy that I couldn’t make out the words, and he was so focused that for a few minutes, he seemed to be somewhere else.

My curiosity was reaching a fever pitch, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what he must be saying, and how much I loved the clacking sound of the beads as they were rhythmically moved down the string.

I kept thinking about it throughout the prayer and once the Imam finished his Dua’a, I grasped my grandpa’s hand and pulled him closer.

“I saw you speaking softly to the misbaha, just like the guy outside,” I whispered.

He smiled slightly. “I was glorifying God, thanking him for all his gifts of health and prosperity. Gratitude is a powerful thing to recite,” he said quietly.

On our way back home, grandpa started telling me a story about a Prophet (PBUH) who was swallowed whole by a whale, but my thoughts remained with the fascinating beads.

While he was describing the incredible life of that Prophet (PBUH), I looked up and asked him to lend me his misbaha.

Without loosing the rhythm of his story, he reached down into his dishdasha pocket and absent-mindedly handed me the threaded beads. I wrapped it around my wrist, like I’d seen other men around the mosque do.

“Why do you carry it to the mosque, why not recite at home?” I blurted out, unintentionally interrupting his story.

“Well, the misbaha is a sacred tool for Muslims... it works as a spiritual protection for the person holding it and reminds us to remember Allah,” he said, slowing his pace.

“If it is sacred, then why do people carry it everywhere, sometimes to the souq or even weddings?” I asked.

“Because some people believe that holding a shiny long misbaha made of precious materials is a sign of wealth, a luxury of some sort. But the original purpose was to help guide us towards Allah and his grace,” he answered, holding open the door for me.

The house was filled with the aroma of my grandma’s sweet-smelling chicken stew, which erased all other thoughts from my mind. I hurried to go wash my hands and find my place at the dining table.

When dinner was finished, my mind returned again to the mysterious beads as I

sat impatiently waiting for Al Isha prayers.

When my grandfather and I started off for the mosque for Isha prayers, excitement seemed to fill the night air and I felt goosebumps run up my arms.

“Would you like me to tell you a story about Noah and his arc?” he asked me as we walked towards the glow of the masjid.

“Tell me more about the uses of misbaha,” I eagerly replied.

“You really adore those beads, don’t you Salim,” he said with a little laugh.

“Mm-hmmm. I want to know why people are using it all the time and how they use it and why,” I said excitedly.

“Well, alright. See, when we’re using it we can relax our busy minds and shut all the other noises out, making it easier to become filled with tranquillity and peacefulness. The act of tasbeeh, a form of praise, in and of itself does wonders for the human soul,” he replied.

“How?” I asked.

“It defies misery and brings happiness; it banishes Satan and gratifies the Lord; it works as a miraculous healer; and, of course, the best of all; it can help us earn forgiveness from Allah.”

The way he spoke about this simple string of beads in that moment made me fall in love with the misbaha, which, to my young mind, became a talisman with superpowers.

Before we reached the mosque, I stopped and grabbed my grandpa’s dishdasha. “Can you teach me please?” I asked him.

“I’d be more than happy to, Salim, but now we have to hurry up before the Imam calls for prayers,” he replied.

After finishing prayers, I grabbed a strand of green plastic misbaha that were kept at the mosque and sat next to grandpa, waiting for his tasbeeh prayer lesson. He sat down slowly and pulled out his golden beads.

“First, you have to be focused. Are you focused, Salim?” he asked. “Yes,” I nodded.

“Both our misbaha have 33 beads, which means we will do three rounds. First we will begin by glorifying Allah by saying “Subhan Allah”. On our second round we send praise to Him by saying “Alhamdullilah”, and finally we will acknowledge his greatness and say, “Allahu Akbar,” okay?” he said, before grasping his beads and starting to pray quietly and clearly.

As we prepared to start our walk home, he took his golden misbaha out of his pocket and looked at them, before turning his gaze to me.

“Salim, this is your weapon,” he said, holding up the beads. “Use it after every prayer, or whenever you feel sad, aggravated, or at fault, and I promise you that Allah will hear your prayers.”

I stood facing the glimmering antique shop, holding back unexpected tears. I asked my mother to wait for me for a moment and I entered the shop, returning with a couple of new misbahas. Later that evening I hung them on the rear view mirror of my car alongside my grandpa’s golden set, which I touched fondly. Those worn golden beads have proved to have their own magic — they keep his spirit close to me, or at least I’d like to think so.

—salim@timesofoman.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF SALIM AL AFIFI

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Iftar party organised by the Bhojpuri Wing of the Indian Social Club at Al Masa Hall, Muscat.

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Basketball All Star event held at RAHRC.

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Qaranqasho event held at Oman Cancer Association’s Dar Al Hanan under the patronage of HH Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al Said.

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Indian School Muscat hosted its Annual Academic Excellence Awards ceremony recently in the new multipurpose hall of the school.

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Dar Al Atta’a Family Welfare Programme Dar Al Atta’a has given much importance to the Family Welfare Programme, which undertakes maintenance, purchase, and construction of houses. Since the beginning of the programme, Dar Al Atta’a has constructed almost 60 houses and has renovated more than 350. This Ramadan, it has supported five families of those registered with the association by disbursing an amount of OMR147,850, for purchasing a flat in A’Seeb worth OMR33,000, a house in Al Amerat worth OMR30,000 and built three houses in Al Maabela worth a total of OMR84,850. Some of the houses in Maabela were built from the proceeds of the participating teams in The Big Give competition (2012/2013). Those who want to benefit from this programme should approach the association with relevant documents and register with the family welfare department. Those who want to donate can do it through Dar Al Atta’a’s Bank Muscat account 0315003966850024 or via donate. om/daralatta. For further details, visit daralattaa.org

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 27 J U LY 1 , 2 0 1 6

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

Level | Easy

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