OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 46,760 COPIES
VOL 10 ISSUE 26 / JUNE 24, 2016
HOLY MONTH HAUTE COUTURE RAMADAN IS A TIME WHEN DESIGNERS AROUND THE REGION LAUNCH THEIR LATEST AND GREATEST; CHECK OUT OUR FAVOURITE COLLECTIONS.
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THIS WEEK IN OMAN
GGO TO THERAPY Th spas and salons of The Muscat have a treatment M ready for every hot-weather re beauty ailment, from be cracked hands and feet to cr beleaguered summer skin. be PAGE 12 PA
EAT YOUR VEGGIES
SAVOUR RAMADAN MEMORIES
Our delicious, nutritionpacked, Suhoor recipes prove that vegetables aren’t just for the dinner table. PAGE 16
In a special series of Ramadan personal essays, learn what Ramadan means to those who grew up celebrating the Holy Month in Muscat. PAGE 18
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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 swati@timesofoman.com
ashishdubash@timesofoman.com Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash Senior Editors T. A. Ameerudheen Faisal Mohammed Naim Mohammed Shafeeqe
ameerudheen@timesofoman.com
faisal@timesofoman.com
Associate Editors Salim Hamood Al Afifi Shruthi Nair Syed Haitham Hasan
salim@timesofoman.com
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
richard@timesofoman.com
Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham aziz@timesofoman.com Head Of Advertising & Marketing Aziz K. Baker Production Manager Shafi Shaik On The Cover Photography Courtesy of Dar Al Aseel Design by Ali Jani For general inquiries or comments: HiWeekend@timesofoman.com
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What are you doing after iftar this weekend? Tag us on Instagram @hiweekly_oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 26 JUNE 24, 2016
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
8pm onwards Shop for a Cause
10am to 5pm Second Hand Treasure Hunt
23 24 25 Get in the spirit of Ramadan at the Hand in Hand event, a partnership between Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah and Dar Al Atta’a, which presents bazaars, exhibitions, and seminars featuring creative local entrepreneurs their products. Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah +968 9443 4472
If you are looking for the best value for your money, then visit the Ramadan garage sale at the Friends Rendezvous Café near Wadi Adai to shop for good quality second hand items from furniture, TVs, gym equipment, clothes, and cabinets to sweet finds like billiards tables. ables. Friends Rendezvous Café +968 95044 2941
facebook.com/friends. ends. rendezvous.cafe s.cafe
AFTER IFTAR EVENTS
SATURDAY Mall Theatrics Go to the Oman Avenues Mall this Saturday with the kids to take in an Aladdin Theatre show, Areej Art display, and Hakawati shows as part of the free Ramadan celebrations. Oman Avenues Mall +968 2450 3403
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FIVE TO TRY MUSEUMS
THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Visit this two-domed museum in Qurum for entertaining and educational fun. The kids can spend hours exploring hands-on exhibits while learning about natural sciences. Shatti Al Qurum, Muscat Hours: 8am-1pm Entrance Fee: 300 baisa for adults; 100 baisa for children 6-12 years +968 2460 5368 NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Head to the ministries district to learn more about Oman’s natural environment from ancient times to today. Explore the displays featuring ancient plants, cool artefacts, and coral ruins. Ministry of Culture and Heritage Building, Al Khuwair Hours: 8am-1.30pm Entrance Fee: 500 baisa for individuals; 300 baisa for family groups +968 2464 1374 THE OMANI FRENCH MUSEUM Located in Old Muscat city, near the Al Alam Palace, this French-consulateturned-museum was inaugurated in 1992. Visit to view old photographs, documents, ships, costumes, and jewelleries that demonstrate the connections between France and Oman. Old Muscat, Muscat Hours: 8am-1.30pm Entrance Fee: 500 baisa +968 2473 6613 ADAM HOUSE MUSEUM Get an intimate look at Oman’s history through ancient relics collected by the owner himself; from letters, jewellery, silverware, coins, and medals, to old maps and photographs. Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat Hours: Prior coordination required Entrance Fee: OMR5 per person (for groups only, minimum of four) +968 2460 5033
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 it out in the latest episode on facebook.com/hiweekly for some weekend chuckles.
PHOTOGRAPHY: IONONE BANGCAS (RAMADAN SPECIAL); SUPPLIED (MUSEUM)
OLD FORT MUSEUM Opened in 2012, the iconic Old Fort is located in the Al Sharqiyah region where it displays traditional Omani weaponry and handicrafts from the 17th century. Al Kamil Wa Al Wafi, Al Sharqiyah Hours: Prior coordination required Entrance Fee: OMR1 for adults; 200 baisa for 18 years and below +968 9320 0166
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A F T E R - IF TA R A C T I V I T IE S
VISIT HABTA MARKETS
S
Bausher Souq (near Muscat Private Hospital) Last week of Ramadan, call for details: +968 2461 1800
Muttrah Souq (Behind the covered souq) Last week of Ramadan, call for details: +968 2472 5700
Seeb Souq (Just off the Seeb Corniche) Last week of Ramadan, call for details: +968 2442 6600
PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
omething that most people, especially in the interiors and villages of Oman, look forward to during the Holy Month of Ramadan is the Eid Al Fitr Habta market. A special Eid market that is set up for a few days during the last week of Ramadan, vendors come from around the country to sell local livestock, traditional clothes, accessories, toys for kids, and other Omani heritage items such as the khanjar (daggers), assa (walking sticks), and kumma (embroidered caps). A wide range of delicacies such as the Omani halwa, dates, fruits, and spices, many of which are homemade or grown, are also on offer. The habta markets are bustling affairs, with men, women and children filling the lanes to enjoy pre-Eid street shopping, or simply strolling through to peruse the varied collections. There are habta markets set up throughout the country from Wadi Bani Khalid and Ibra in the North A’Sharqiyah governorate to Fanja in the A’Dakhiliyah. Here in Muscat, we have three habta markets to choose from:
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Summer hits your skin hard. From dry lips to cracked heels, your whole body suffers the consequences of the harsh sun and soaring temperatures. Thankfully, spas around Muscat are offering special summer beauty treatments to keep you looking cool and composed. STORY OLGA AYMERICH
HANDS The problem: Hands tell your true age, and you want to keep lying, right? The sun rapidly ages our hands and since we are constantly washing them, any sun screen or lotion we apply is gone in no time, leaving them dry and scaly. The solution: The all-natural Thermasoft Hand Treatment combines shea butter, wax, green and white tea, green apple, and berries to revitalise hands with intensive hydration that can soothe and reduce dryness long after the treatment is over.
Book Your Treatment
FACE The problem: Sun sensitivity can be a big problem during hot months and even if your skin doesn’t turn red in the sun, it will lose its glow during summer time. The solution: Beat this dull summer skin problem with a pro-collagen quartz lift facial. The facial starts with a soft exfoliation using a papaya-based product. Then flower oil capsules are applied to your skin (rose for anti-ageing or lavender for acne). A shoulder massage helps reactivate the area, improving blood flow essential to healthy glow. After the massage, the collagen mask, and serum are applied. The smell of the lavender pillow covering your eyes will help you relax while they work their magic. The results are exceptional, your skin not only will have recovered its glow, but also will have improved firmness. Long term, the treatments also protect against wrinkles and fine lines.
Book Your Treatment Boudoir Oman, Shatti Al Qurum +968 2448 8884, +968 9143 3334 @boudoir_oman
Ayana Spa, Shatti Al Qurum +968 2469 3435 @ayanaspamuscat
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FEET The problem: Ah, sandals, so beautiful and chic. As lovely and essential as they are to our summer wardrobes, there is nothing more unattractive than a dry, cracked heel. The solution: Treat your feet with the Footlogixmousse formula. This specialised foot care treatment moisturises and protects damaged cracked skin giving them a nice homogenous look within a few days—not a crack in sight.
Book Your Treatment Nail Lounge, Al Hail +968 9696 3244 @nailloungemuscat
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IFTAR
IFTAR ON A SWEET NOTE STORY DEEBA HASAN PHOTOGRAPHY SALIM AL AFIFI
Break your fast with picturesque views and mouthwatering delicacies in the tranquil atmosphere of the Al Khiran Terrace Restaurant at the Al Bustan Palace — a Ritz Carlton Hotel. With stunning indoor and outdoor seating areas, the usual generous buffet spread, and a new artisan chocolate station featuring deluxe sweet creations from beloved local chocolate maker, Salma, this Iftar buffet is one to remember. BEST OF THE BUFFET Arabic Mezze: Hummus, tabouleh, ful medames, couscous, awal, selection of salads, spinach and cheese fatayer, and meat sambosa Local Main Courses: Baked whole hamour, shawarma station, Manakish, Lamb Ouzi, Omani papalo fish soup, saffron rice with shuwa, lamb kofta, beef mashkak, madrouba, and seafood harra Desserts: Omani halwa, coconut khabisa, selection of Arabic sweets, ice-creams, fresh fruits salads, and Salma’s Chocolate station Drinks: Ramadan juices: tamarind, date (Jallab), mishmish (apricot), and rose
SPECIAL FEATURE Three chocolate creations by Salma especially for the guests at Al Bustan Palace: mouth-bursting espresso shots (bite-sized chocolates filled with espresso caramel heart), coconut white chocolates, and date caramel truffles. Signature ice creams with Salma’s toppings include innovative flavours such as rose water caramel and date syrup.
TIMINGS Iftar: From sunset until 10.30pm Suhoor at Maserati Tent: From 9pm until 2am
COST Price Per Person: OMR18 ++ Group discounts: OMR16 ++ for groups over 10 people (based upon availability in the restaurant) Private venues available for groups,OMR18 ++ per person.
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Make a Reservation Al Khiran Terrace Restaurant, Al Bustan Palace—a Ritz Carlton Hotel
+968 2476 4000
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DINE IN SUHOOR
EAT YOUR VEGGIES FOR BREAKFAST STORY FELICIA CAMPBELL
SWEET POTATO BREAKFAST HASH Ingredients For the sweet potato hash • 1 tablespoon coconut oil • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 2 cups) • 4 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika • 1/2 teaspoon cumin • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon sea salt or to taste • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro For the Guacamole • 1 avocado • 1/2 to 1 lime • 1/2 green pepper, finely diced (hot or bell, as you like) • Sea salt, to taste For the Pico de Gallo • 1 cup diced grape tomatoes • 1/2 cup finely diced white onion • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro • 1-2 limes, juiced • Sea salt, to taste Preparation • Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the garlic, yellow onion, sweet potatoes, paprika, cumin, turmeric, and sea salt. Let the mixture cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring just every few minutes so that the potatoes have a chance to develop a slight caramelisation. Once the sweet potatoes are tender, turn off the heat and stir in the fresh cilantro. Once cool, cover and refrigerate. • Scoop the flesh of one avocado into a bowl and mash it with the juice of one lime, diced pepper, and sea salt. Put the avocado seed in the mixture to prevent browning. Cover and refrigerate. • Add the tomatoes, white onion, cilantro, lime juice, and sea salt to a small bowl and stir. Cover and refrigerate. In the morning, reheat the hash on the stove or in the microwave; then top with guacamole and pico de gallo.
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POWER MUFFINS
Though vegetables might not be the meal that comes to mind for a 3am breakfast, getting plant-based vitamins, minerals, and fibre in for your first meal of the day is a great way to feel energised, stay more hydrated, and keep your body functions regular. These recipes can all be made ahead and quickly re-heated for your pre-dawn meal.
Ingredients Mix • 1 cup flour, whole wheat • 1 cup flour, all-purpose • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Cream • 4 tablespoon butter, unsalted • 1/2 cup sugar • 2 large eggs • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Puree • 1/2 cup broccoli, florets • 1 medium zucchini (shredded or chopped) • 1 1/2 medium carrot (shredded or chopped) • 1/2 medium apple (shredded or chopped) • 1 medium banana • 1/8 cup apple juice • 1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened • 1/4 cup yoghurt, plain Preparation • Preheat oven to 177 degrees C. • In a medium size bowl, mix together flours, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Set aside. • Soften butter. Beat sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla until smooth. • In a food processor or blender, combine broccoli, zucchini, carrot, apple, banana, apple juice, and applesauce. Pulse until thoroughly mixed and consistent in texture. • Add fruit and veggie puree and yoghurt to the creamed butter and beat until mixed. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix just until combined. • Coat muffin tin with cooking spray or line with liners. Scoop the mixture into a prepared muffin pan, filling each spot about 3/4 of the way full. • Bake until the tops are slightly brown and a toothpick comes out clean or they bounce back when you touch them with your finger. For mini muffins, bake at 177 degree C for 15-20 minutes; for regular size muffins, bake at 190 degree C for about 20-25 minutes.
CHEESE-CRUST SPINACH QUICHE Ingredients • 12 ounces cheese slices (Muenster works great) • 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained (feel free to substitute 20-ounces of frozen broccoli florets, or other veggies) • 2 eggs • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened • Salt and pepper to taste • Garlic powder to taste Preparation • Preheat oven to 175 degrees C. • Line a quiche dish or 9 inch pie pan with the 8 ounces of cheese slices. Carefully press all of the water out of the spinach and place it in a large mixing bowl; add eggs, Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, salt, pepper and garlic powder and stir well. • Spoon mixture into pan and top with remaining cheese slices. • Bake for 35 minutes; then let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Refrigerate. Serve cold or microwave a slice for a protein and veggie-packed start to your day.
Keep these muffins in the fridge or freezer and reheat one or two for a producepacked Suhoor.
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RAMADAN MEMORIES STORY SALIM AL AFIFI
F
rom the sweet-smelling sessions in the kitchen with my dear mother preparing Iftar and eagerly waiting for the Imam to call for Maghrib prayers, to waking up in the middle of the night for some homemade garlic-yoghurt, to all the joyful moments of familial love and understanding, Ramadan has always been for me a wonderful time of the year—the holy vibes of compassion surrounding us, leaving me in high spirits. It’s also my favourite time to indulge in home-cooked Ramadan delicacies. My memories of fasting while growing up are vivid, especially my first day of fasting at home. I was eagerly waiting for the Maghrib prayers, but I was so dehydrated and weak that my grandma took notice and quietly passed me a glass of ice cold water without anyone seeing her. “It’s ok, God asked me to give you a glass of water,” she whispered. I nodded, innocently believing her. I took a few sips. Then she asked me to continue my fast. We always gathered at her home for Iftar and every household would bring something homemade along with them to add to the table. Each of the women in our family had their own signature dish for Ramadan. While my aunty Zuweina would make the best luqaimat fried dough, which she bathed in caramelised sugar, my other aunt, Salma, would make a delicious fish and coconut gravy, and my mother always made her special pudding with eggs. I liked to try my hand at cooking too, making cookies with honey or drumsticks drenched in ketchup. Though most of the time my dishes would either be burnt or spoilt in some other way, but I would still present them and wait to hear the wave of compliments on my culinary prowess. After lining up packs of laban, glasses of milk,
and fenjans for kahwa, we would wait for the calling of Maghrib prayer. We would dive into our feast, enjoying the food and the warm, joyful, familiar sounds that would fill the house. Then I would walk to the neighbourhood mosque with my grandfather and my brother for Taraweeh prayers. Around 10pm, the entire family would gather again in the living room and my grandpa would tell us cool stories from the past. This was his favourite part of Ramadan. He would share with us his love for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his fellows, as well as enlightening stories about Holy Quran and its tafseer. Though my grandparents passed away, those moments remain embedded in my heart. We continue to keep Grandpa’s tradition going, gathering each evening after Taraweeh, though this year it was my father who shared the stories. There are many Ramadan traditions in my family, one of the coolest being the long after-Iftar drives we like to take to different parts of Oman, places such as Al Dakhiliyah, Muttrah, Bar Al Jissah, Qantab road, and Sohar. Growing up, my family and I would hop into the car and head out to traditional souqs and shops . We would always be late to reach home for Iftar and so we would end up eating our dates and kahwa in the car on the way. It happened like this every year without fail, especially during the last few days, which are usually reserved for Eid shopping. Being quite a fashion lover this was my favourite pastime. But I suppose I’ve said that already—favourite tradition, favourite indulgence, favourite excursion, I guess the joy of this month, a month when we grow in spirituality, and truly feel the love of Allah and one another, imbues everything from the foods we eat to the simple moments we share with a celebratory feel. It is the best time of year, and I continue to savour every story, every bite, and every minute of it.—salim@timesofoman.com
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An Unsung Hero Oman is nature’s unadulterated gift to mankind. The plains, plateaus, and mountains of the Middle East’s second largest country each have a different story to tell. They are ancient and mysterious, and interwoven with the life and culture of the Omani people. I was lucky enough to meet one such Omani on the peaks of Jebel Akhdar, Ali Al Abri, a young concierge at the Alila Hotel, who became my guide, teaching me about the gnarled gifts growing on the Green Mountain. STORY SHRUTHI NAIR
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li was familiarising me with the place, taking me around showing the picturesque landscapes, into tiny villages, and onto the cliffs overlooking the steep valleys. The further into the mountains we went, the more the name “Akhdar” or “Green” seemed like an understatement. Every inch of the mountain was filled with fresh, natural colours — breathing life into the rugged place. While admiring the beauty of our surroundings, I began spotting what looked at first glance like conifers. As I saw more and more of them, I realised they were something different, like knotted, misshapen Christmas trees. I asked my guide, and he told me they were Juniper trees, one of the most prized flora on the mountain. Located in small areas of the Hajar Mountains, these shrubs, which grow to become huge trees, range from a few hundred to over 3,000 years old. Very sensitive to altitude, environment, and temperature, the wild trees cannot be cultivated. Unsurprisingly, these mystical trees are some of the most endangered in the region. Thus they require special protection and preservation by the Ministry of Environment. The existence of Juniper trees in Oman dates back centuries, and up until recently, every part of the Juniper tree was used by local people: The tree bark was used for constructing houses, especially the ceilings of homes in the villages of Jebel Akhdar; the odour from the leaves, and berries were used as a natural insect
HI WEEKLY repellent; and extractions from the bark of the tree were burnt and used to perfume homes, like frankinscense. These trees are found in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Persia, and in the Mediterranean, in some parts of Syria and Lebanon. Across the region, forests that used to be densely green due to the presence of Junipers are now losing their greenery predominantly because of soil drifting, deforestation, forest fires, and over grazing. And once cut, these trees will not grow back easily. Many ecologists and environmentalists have said that growing Junipers is nature’s unshared secret. Birds feed on the spicy Juniper berries and excrete the seeds out into the soil. Only if the seeds are dropped in an environment that is favourable for it to grow, which is rare, will it take. Hence nowadays, Juniper trees are not used as much in construction, though the leaves (whose removal causes no harm to the tree) are still harvested for their valuable medicinal properties, thought to cure everything from toothaches to burns to heart illnesses. The extractions, converted into Juniper water, are also used as painkillers by many villagers. The berries are used in limited quantity for their intoxicating scent in the soaps and beauty treatments at the mountaintop Alila Hotel. As we wove our way back down the mountain, I tried to count the mystical pines, whose twisted branches seemed to wave at me. As we drove, I marvelled, yet again, at the gifts and secrets that seem to inhabit these ancient lands. — shruthi@timesofoman.com
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THE NEW COLLECTIONS
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The Holy Month of Ramadan is one of the most important times for designers in the region, whose bespoke collections are in high demand for the many festivities, and especially for Eid. Deeba, Shruthi, and Salim, spoke to their personal favourites about their Ramadan collections, all of which shared a common theme and message — one needn’t compromise on style or modesty with their thoughtfully conceived pieces, during the Holy Month, or any other time of year.
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SIMPLE YET POWERFUL STORY DEEBA HASAN
E
legant, simple, yet extremely stylish, Dar Al Aseel’s Ramadan collection 2016 has an added touch of modernity, and will certainly change your perspective on the usual Ramadan wear. From graceful kaftans to abayas with a twist, this collection is exactly what today’s women want to wear. Amal Al Raisi, the founding designer and owner of the brand held a small preview of 30 different Ramadan looks during a beautifully organised fashion show at the Al Bustan Palace — a Ritz Carlton Hotel for a small group of Muscat’s fashion elites. Being a fashion designer wasn’t planned, it just happened for Amal. “I started almost a decade back, and it all happened by coincidence. I was getting married and wasn’t able to find the right dress, so I decided to design my own and got lots of compliments for that. Later, I started to design for friends and family,” Al Raisi recalled. Her collections have already gained international fans, being worn by fashionistas across the region and also other parts of the world. Her latest collection includes jalabiyas, kaftans, and abayas, many of the designs inspired by the different regions of Oman. Amal’s love for sublime, delicate yet rich fabrics was reflected in every design that lit up the runway at Al Bustan, most in modern shades of cream, grey, and black. The hand-dyed and embroidered modern collection was also infused with traditional Omani designs and patterns. Flowers are one of Amal’s signatures, which were very boldly used in this collection. She feels that although flowers are soft and delicate, they are also very powerful, and this is the kind of woman she is trying to address — cool and calm, but also strong and full of ambitions, not only here in Oman or the region, but around the world.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DESIGNER
—deeba@timesofoman.com
Dar Al Aseel info@daralaseel.com WhatsApp: +968 9944 5574 Instagram: @DarAlAseelByAmalAlRaisi Snapchapt: @DarAlAseelByAmalAlRaisi Facebook: DarAlAseelByAmalAlRaisi Twitter: @DarAlAseelByAmalAlRaisi
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BOLD MODESTY STORY SHRUTHI NAIR
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amadan in many ways personifies joy, purity, serenity, and love. Sahar Al Aufi, an Omani designer who is the proud owner of her own brand, Meli’s, brought these intangible ideas to life through her latest collection, which targets the courageously fashionable women of Oman. As a kid Sahar would spend hours in front of the television observing and learning about fashion trends from across the world. She then went on to study in Italy, and her wide, global perspective is clearly reflected in her designs — classy, refreshing amalgamations of the Middle East and the West. When I heard that Sahar was focusing on abayas and kaftans for the Holy Month, I didn’t expect to see that same global influence. I was under the impression that abayas were simple, unicoloured, robe-like dresses, offering little scope for experimentation. Going through Sahar’s collection made me realise how wrong I was. Fun pops of colours, bold prints, and flowy patterns exuberating poise and fashion went way beyond my imagination. Sahar primarily makes her intricately crafted masterpieces with silk and other fabrics imported from Italy. This innovative designer is bold in her experiments with traditional kaftans and abayas, innovating and inventing new styles and setting trends. Her designs, which are displayed in her boutique, Reflection, do not just speak volumes about this creative, international-minded woman, but also about the playful, bold women she caters to. —shruthi@timesofoman.com
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DESIGNER
Meli’s by Reflection +968 9634 2525 Instagram: @melisbyreflection Snapchat: Melisreflection
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IMPERIAL FIERCENESS STORY SALIM AL AFIFI
—salim@timesofoman.com
Pretty Little Skirt Instagram: @prettylittle_skirt +968 9549 8445
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DESIGNER
D
esigned and curated by the super talented Zuweina Al Sharji, this season’s Pretty Little Skirt Ramadan collection celebrates the Middle Eastern fashion of the 1960s with classic, yet fashion-forward pieces that scream elegance, sophistication, and fierceness — royal style. The 2014-launched clothing line started out exclusively making uber-fashionable puffy skirts, but this season, the brand has branched out, offering dresses, cape tops, and kimonos, with the signature, playful, Pretty Little Skirt touch. Zuweina has totally delivered with pieces featuring high-end trendy patterns and fantastic textiles like raw silk, silk chiffon, taffeta, and jacquardon. She focused on adding volume and classic shapes ala the golden era of the 60s, and amped them up with contemporary colours for a collection that offers a fabulous mix of palettes from neon to natural summer hues. You can rock an imperial kimono look for a sophisticated Iftar or coffee out with friends, or, you can put on 6-inch Louboutins and skirt it up for an Eid ensemble with major wow-factor. You can also order items from the collection for your little ones, and a kid in a cute couture skirt is a charming statement in itself.
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Grade 12 students from The American International School of Muscat (TAISM), representing 23 nations, graduated in the presence of Marc J. Sievers, US Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman. Over 500 parents, faculty, and students attended the event which was held in the school’s Bosch Centre for the Performing Arts.
IN FOCUS DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FOCUS? SHARE YOUR PICTURES WITH US ON FACEBOOK.COM/HIWEEKLY
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HI WEEKLY
Landmark Group opened its ďŹ rst Oasis Mall in Oman at Al Khuwair. The mall was inaugurated by Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi, Minister of Tourism in the presence of distinguished guests.
IN FOCUS DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FOCUS? SHARE YOUR PICTURES WITH US ON FACEBOOK.COM/HIWEEKLY
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IN FOCUS DO YOU WANT TO BE IN FOCUS? SHARE YOUR PICTURES WITH US ON FACEBOOK.COM/HIWEEKLY
Nautilus Swimming Club has conducted Fun Swim Day for kids and adults at the club swimming pool in Muscat.
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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
3
4
6
4 9
2
1
1
1 7
3
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8 8
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9 6
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Level | Difficult
8
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Level | Moderate
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3
3 2
9
8
5
3 9
4 2
9
8 7
2
6
3 2
6
2
5
4
3
5 9
6 1
6
1
2
4
7 3 8 5
9
8
6
2
9
8
7
7
6
8
9
9
8
3
8
1 4
5 1
3
6
7
9
2
2
1 2
6 2
7
5
6
3 7
2
1
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