OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 46,760 COPIES
VOL 10 ISSUE 69 / MAY 4, 2017
THIS WEEK IN OMAN
TEA ALTERNATIVES
TEA BEAUTY
TEA RITUALS
Tea is a multi-tasking ingredient. Use it to socialise with friends, to keep bad breath at bay, clean your wooden furniture, or as a manure to your plants. Include tea in your everyday life. PAGE 10
Do you know that there are a lot of ways tea can make you look beautiful? While beauty care products are adding tea to their skin care products you can use them at home too and get a glowing complexion. PAGE 12
While in Japan tea ceremony is held to cleanse one’s mind and soul, in Russia tea is never served without accompaniments. Know about the different tea traditions in the world. 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 Chief Executive Editor Scott Armstrong scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com felicia@timesofoman.com
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ashishdubash@timesofoman.com
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THE WEEKEND LINEUP
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What are you doing this weekend? Tweet us @HiWeekly_Oman; tag us in your weekend instagram agram photos @hiweekly_oman; or share with us on FB/hiweeklyy
THURSDAY 10.00pm Feel Like a Diva Here is a night dedicated to all the ladies. With great pop songs, complimentary beverages for women, and free entry, enjoy your night. On the Rocks +968 9798 3333
11.00pm Party Hard with DJ Paroma Bollywood’s favourite DJ Paroma is all set to take the party circuit by storm. DJ Pulse and Ahmed Pharaoh to join her. Rumba Lattina +968 9613 6013
Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend
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FRIDAY 2.00pm Chill at the Rooftop Get ready for a pool party with “Wet Republik 3” and groove to the tunes of Djs playing from International Music Festivals. Don’t miss the LED water shower, UV bubbles, and water wars. Park Inn Muscat’s Rooftop (Sama Terrazza) +968 9658 4858 +968 9709 8681 +968 9980 5525
8.00am Floral Designing Workshop Learn how to create floral arrangements in an informative session with an instructor who will help you master the skill. Vantage International Mumtaz Residence +968 9343 5226
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SATURDAY 8.00pm Shop Online Attend the grand launch of Oman’s all-new Bazi Muscat, online shopping portal and get a chance to win a Samsung HD LED TV. Al Falaj Hotel bazimuscat.com
9.30am Om Nom Workout and food afterwards. What a perfect combination. All you ladies, head to Kargeen this weekend for a 60 minutes yoga session with Anna Fahey and a round of healthy snacks later. OMR 20 Kargeen Restaurant +968 9922 7466
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THERE’S PLENTY OF NEWS THAT MADE WAVES ON SOCIAL MEDIA THIS WEEK. HERE’S WHAT PEOPLE WERE TUNING IN TO, FINDS SHRUTHI NAIR
GO TO TIMESOFOMAN.COM/HIWEEKLY FOR VIDEOS AND MORE
TR EN DI NG
THIS WEEK
TOP TRENDING VIDEOS: Ryan Seacrest is Kelly Ripa’s new co-host and their new videos are trending this week. Watch this and more on timesofoman.com/hiweekend.
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YO U M I S S E D I T
HAPPY BIRTHDAY STARWARS The legendary series is celebrating its 40th birthday on May 4th and social media is going wild with the imagination on ways to celebrate the iconic day. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
HASAN MINHAJ ROAST The Daily Show correspondent nails it in his viral White House Correspondent’s Dinner speech in which the president himself was missing timesofoman.com/ hiweekend
TRENDING MUSIC FYRE FESTIVAL DISASTER Absolute failure is what this luxury music festival that was selling tickets for $1000 to $12000 was. Find out more on timesofoman.com/hiweekend
WAKE UP ORCHESTRA Here’s a grand way to express your love. Find out what Rapper Logic did to wake his darling wife up timesofoman.com/hiweekend
#popularhashtag TRENDING MOVIE BAHUBALI 2 This much awaited multi-million dollar sequel of the blockbuster movie Bahubali has made all its fans in India as well as abroad very very happy. timesofoman.com/hiweekend
TRENDING FASHION MET GALA 2017 This extravagant event held to raise money for a costume institute had some top names from tinseltown flaunting their avant-garde dresses timesofoman.com/hiweekend
#MayThe4thBeWithYou #PrincessCharlotte #MetGala
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Beyond the Tea Cup We all know that tea is the most consumed liquid in the world after water but if you think that it is just meant for drinking, then you’re certainly mistaken. Here are a few unique tea alternatives to help you incorporate your favourite beverage in your every day life. STORY SHRUTHI NAIR
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PARTY FAVOURITE This might be the era of social media and digital communication, but nothing compares to having a healthy discussion or just spending time with a few tea lovers. No matter how ancient it seems, meeting friends over a cup of tea is still the most preferred way of socialising.
BAD BREATH, LONG GONE Had too much onion in your meal or had a hearty dinner that tasted amazing but left a horrible after-smell? Tea comes to your rescue. Gargle your mouth well with brewed, cooled tea or use peppermint tea as a mouthwash with antiseptic and antibacterial properties. This also helps in relieving one of toothache.
ADDING FLAVOURS There are tons of food items that you could flavour using brewed tea. But the best is, perhaps, the flavour that it adds to pasta. You can also use it to flavour broth for soups, and to tenderise meat while marinating it before roasting or grilling it.
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GO GREEN If your favourite hobby is gardening, then your favourite beverage is going to be tea. Even the remnants of the tea leaves that is found in the cup after drinking, which you treat as waste can be used to enhance your compost pile. Use tea bags in plant pots too to retain the water and leach nutrients from the soil, making the plants happier and livelier.
RUST AND DUST As a cleanser, tea leaves and tea bags work wonders. You can use tea to clean wooden furniture and floors, make your mirror shine and look as good as new. It also soaks up the ash from the fireplace if wet tea leaves are kept there.
CROWNING GLORY Washing your hair with brewed tea is a great way to enhance the natural shine of the hair. Brew the tea leaves for long, cool it and then wash your hair with it. Steep 2-3 tea bags in boiling water, let it cool and apply on the hair. Let it sit for about an hour before rinsing. —shruthi@timesofoman.com
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BEAUTY
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GET GORGEOUS WITH TEA STORY SALIM AL AFIFI
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t is that time of the year when beaches become crowded, pools get swarmed up, and hot Starbucks coffees are exchanged with fruity popsicles. With the summer sun over our head why should anyone care to sip a hot cup of tea? But summer also means having a refreshed look sans the sweltering heat and so in this tea special issue we bring a few secrets to a refreshed look and a glowing skin that you can attain with tea without sipping it. For ages, beauty expert used tea to heal a variety of things that our skin and hair go through, and they used all sorts of teas, from red to black, to the so-called healthy green tea, mainly because these leafy ingredients are full of antioxidants that fight ageing and keep the skin in an ever-glowing state. Here’s how to get your natural radiance.
duces inflammation and perks up the elasticity too, giving your skin that million-dollar glow.
Get that Complexion Fixed The wonders of green tea doesn’t stop at weight loss and health. It also helps to get rid of blemishes, scars, and other patches that your skin has. It re-
Become a Kardashian If you are keeping up with the Kardashians, then you must have realised how beautifully tanned and glowing their skin is. Well, I do not know
Dodge a Wrinkly Mess Tea is known for having antioxidants that helps in putting an end to sagging and wrinkly skin, as the properties delay the signs of ageing. Especially green tea because of its polyphenols that work hard to protect your skin from elements such as sun burns, which can speed up the whole ageing process. Hydrate Away This trendy brew makes for a perfect natural skin toner, as it helps eliminating impurities and shrink your pores, which will result in a gorgeous skin that looks flawless. Drizzle a bit of your favourite essential oil in the tea and apply it across your face.
their secret remedy but tea can work its magic on your skin too. You can rub it on your limbs using a sponge, or prepare your bath tub with some black tea and soak your body in it. Say ‘Goodbye’ to Puffy Eyes This relatively cheap tea treatment is pure magic. After sipping on your delicious Earl Grey tea, keep the used teabag for your eyes as they help in shrinking your blood vessels and clean the dark patch that radically dominates the area under your eyes. Whip that Hair Back and Forth Final tip is reserved for the hair. Summertime means outdoor activities, which means there will be no room for ‘bad hair day’. Tea leaves can transform dull hair to healthy, shiny one. Boil your black or green tea for about 15 minutes and let it sit overnight before pouring it into your hair. Wash thoroughly with shampoo and conditioner afterwards. —salim@timesofoman.com
If home remedies are not your cup of tea, check out these products below:
FUJI GREEN TEA BODY BUTTER Body butters are quite essential for keeping the skin moisturised. This product is from The Body Shop, and it offers an intense hydration that lasts for a long time. Smells good too.
THE BODY SHOP City Centre Muscat +968 2455 8237
CLEAN FACE ACNE SOLUTION FOAM CLEANSER This is my absolute favourite product in The Face Shop, as it works faster to clear the skin of acne, pimples, and other skin impurities. Its green tea extract helps to soothe the skin even better. It’s a must-try for those with oily or combination skin.
GREEN TEA FACE MASK This mask sheet hydrates and soothes the skin as it has green tea properties. It’s easy and can be used on-the-go. You can find this gem of a mask at The Face Shop as well.
THE FACE SHOP Oman Avenues Mall, Baushar +968 2200 9599
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STORY ASHISH DUBASH
AT ANY GIVEN TIME of the day in Muscat you will find rows of cars parked in front of these small shops making you wonder what’s so special in these minimalist cafeterias dotted along the roadsides that draws so many people. And you would be surprised to know that what rules the hearts of people in Muscat is just an inexpensive beverage served in tiny disposable glasses. Welcome to the world of karak chai that has grown in its popularity by leaps and bounds in recent times. While it has been an integral part of Indian culture where chai is more than just a cup of tea, this thick milky sweet beverage has transcended all boundaries and have made its special place in Oman’s tea map. People from different nationalities visit these tea shops primarily for karak chai but are also catered to other delights like coffees, lattes, snacks, rakhal, and more. All you need to do is stop at one of the stalls and quench your thirst for tea for just few baisas. Sweet and flavourful, these milky tea are not only soothing but spirit lifting too. Making a cuppa of karak is an art by itself but it isn’t difficult either. Mix a teaspoon of loose black tea and crushed cardamom in a pan of boiling water and boil for a couple of minutes to let the flavours seep in. Add warm milk till the tea gets a creamy brown colour. Add sugar to your taste and boil for some more time. Serve piping hot. While this is the regular way of savouring your favourite cuppa of karak chai, there are variations in making this tea and one can tweak it according to one’s taste and preference. From cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks and cloves to ginger, nutmeg, and saffron, there are various ways to make karak chai. In some places they add biscuits or Ovaltine too to get a richer flavour. Available 24x7 in many shops, karak chai is undoubtedly the new heartthrob in town. — ashishdubash@timesofoman.com
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GET YOUR DAILY DOSE OF KARAK CHAI Tea Corner in Qurum, Al Khuwair, and Seeb. It has many outlets all over. The karak chai here is not very strong. It is a bit on the sweeter side. Open till midnight. Karak Chai. It has branches all over Muscat. The one in CBD next to BP Petrol Pump has fixed tables and benches and serves a lot of things like its other branches. Masala tea at Feast at East in Rex Road. The tea is very flavourful with its spices. Nectar Tea corner at Darsait. Tea Time in Seeb is open for 24 hours. Tea Palace in Maabela.
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MUSCAT’S TEA TRAIL STORY GAUTAM VISWANATHAN • PHOTOS SUPPLIED
“Let’s go get some tea,” I told my friend, who had jetted in from Dubai for the weekend. It seemed like a pretty straightforward proposition, but at half-past two in the afternoon and having just landed at Seeb International Airport, this was surely not the sort of welcome he was expecting, having touched down in the Sultanate for the first time...
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man has always been a place steeped in tradition and simmering in culture. They say the best way into a person’s heart is through his stomach, and I had the perfect whetstone for my friend to sharpen his appreciation for this secluded slice of Arabia. My itinerary would introduce him to many a place which have long occupied a soft corner in the heart of the residents of this beautiful land, and as we crisscrossed the length and breath of Muscat in search of the country’s finest teas, I knew this was a journey he wouldn’t forget in a lifetime. High Tea at Al Bustan Palace The post lunch-hour traffic can be a bit of a buzzkill on Oman’s otherwise sedate landscapes, but the Muscat Expressway ensured we made short work of the journey to Wadi Kabir and towards old Muscat, home to a hotel that is (nearly) as old and renowned as the Al Alam Palace in the heart of the city. Arriving a few minutes after 3pm, we were deftly ushered into the hotel’s enormous and elegant lobby and placed in a cosy nook of one of Oman’s best establishments, and the service they provided us only firmly highlighted that.
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Madinat Qaboos has been a mainstay of every generation in Oman – be it locals or expatriates – and will continue to be for many years to come. Authentic Arab cuisine is their specialty, and that extends to their selection of beverages as well: the Karjeen Special Tea may sound like a bit too much, but it’s a drink that certainly lives up to its hype. The tea contains cardamom, saffron, and ginger, and while these flavours are certainly special on their own, together, they are nothing short of spectacular. As the first stars began twinkling in the night sky and we stretched out on the luxurious majlis we’d occupied, it was hard not to feel snug and cosy, wishing you could preserve this moment for posterity and revisit it again and again. And again.
Al Bustan are the byword for excellence, and their shuwa and samoun sandwich as well as their tomato, cucumber and pesto offerings – designed to cater to both local and international tastes – foretold a great experience. And it truly was: their tantalising array of delicate cupcakes and macaroons, salted caramel and chocolate spheres, freshbaked scones with a motley of preserves and spreads including some delicious clotted cream, raspberry jam with the perfect amount of tartness and oodles of creamy butter, were prepared to perfection, and offered us an elegant, luxurious high tea that was the perfect kick-starter to our journey across Muscat. All of this was washed down with the most flavourful saffron tea I’ve ever had. They’ll make any beverage you ask for, though – they’ve got one of the largest collections of the drink for you to choose from – but the centrepiece of this extravagant afternoon indulgence had to be the cardamom and date cream cakes, a dessert so good it brought Oliver Twist to mind (may I have some more, please?) Masala Chai at D’arcy’s Kitchen Our appetites may have been sated for the moment, but tea is
never about drinking a beverage from a glass while the world turns around you. It’s about savouring the ambience, both within and without. With the clock striking 4pm, I knew there were few better places to watch the sun go down than by the beach in Shatti Al Qurum. D’arcy’s Kitchen may be English, (I’m not sure so let’s just settle on Continental), but both of us were drawn to a very nonEuropean item on the menu, and our gamble definitely paid off. Savouring my tall glass of masala chai as the beams of the setting sun bounced off the languid waters of the Arabian Sea, I couldn’t help but become ensconced in my very own bubble of bliss, letting the earthy flavours and the sharp, but very satisfying aftertaste wash over me. The little butter biscuits on the side only served to elevate that sensation. Karjeen Caffe’s Signature Drink Oman’s culture and heritage may be symbolised by its architecture – friendly, laid-back, low-key, but it’s the people of the Sultanate who make it what it is. As the clock ticked past five, we left a rapidly setting sun in our rear-view mirror and set off to one of the country’s most popular haunts: Karjeen Caffe in
Stassen Tea Lounge at Al Falaj Doing, that, though, would mean missing out on Oman’s newest attraction for tea aficionados. Al Falaj, one of Oman’s oldest hotels, is now home to its newest tea lounge. Stassen Tea Lounge only opened last month, but it is sure to cause quite a stir with foodies in the country, in addition to boasting the best teas in the Sultanate. From the brightly coloured tea wall which displayed over 30 different varieties of tea – imported directly from Sri Lanka, to the ultra-modern décor, Stassen Tea Lounge has a very fresh, vibrant feel to it, and they let you take their tea home as well. And that extends to what’s on the menu too. They specialise in creating some rather fantastic cocktails by blending tea with exotic ingredients, but the result of this experimentation is truly wonderful. Their green tea lemonade, garnished with a sprig of mint and served chilled with chunks of ice, is perfect for the hot Middle Eastern weather, but my favourite had to be their fragrant and flavourful cherry, apple and green tea cooler. It’s not just their tea that was wonderful: Their food was pretty awesome too. Our stomachs rumbled in anticipation as we caught a whiff of their signature tandoori paneer and shrimp wrap sizzling on the grill, and every bite of the succulent wrap complete with crunchy peppers and onions provided a fresh burst of flavour and satisfaction, which went superbly well with their chilli cheese toast and beef enchiladas, made with a meat so tender that it melted in our mouths. But the fondest of food memories were saved for dessert, despite us being (relatively) full: Their standout dish had to be their earl grey mousse. Yes we were just as surprised as you to discover that such a thing existed. Sandwiched between two chocolate discs, with just the slightest hit of mint was the most exquisite mousse. I just wish we had more on that plate. But that would leave us with no room for the mud cake, a sublime confection studded with hazelnuts and chocolatey chunks, served with fresh strawberries to add the perfect finish to an excellent evening. Karak Chai Al Falaj may have been the finish to our evening, but it wasn’t the end. I wanted to finish our tea adventure with a shot of Omani culture that would remain long in the memory. Where better to find it than at one of Oman’s ubiquitous Karak tea shops, frequented by people from all walks of life. That inimitable blend of tea, cardamom and masala that is now a mainstay among Omanis and expats alike is truly like no other brew you’ve had, or like one you’ll never have again. My friend certainly didn’t. But that doesn’t mean it’ll be his last: It’s been a good few weeks since his brief trip to Oman, and as it is with any country you visit, he’s taken a little something with him as well: Several boxes of Stassen tea are now in his home. And he wants not just those boxes of tea, but everything we had on that menu. As I roll my eyes at his inane request borne from the heart, I cannot help but think, that absence makes the heart grow fonder. — gautam@timesofoman.com
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TEA TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD STORY SWATI DASGUPTA
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If centuries ago a dried tea leaf had not fallen accidentally in a cup of hot water meant for Chinese emperor Shen Nong, the world would not have discovered its most favourite beverage. To keep up the spirit of tea high we jet around the world to explore the different legends and rituals of tea making in the world.
Japan
China
England
Morocco
Russia
Oman
JAPAN Cha-no-yu is an illustrious tea making ceremony practised in Japan. If you are wondering what’s so special about making a steaming cuppa of your favourite drink then visit one of the ceremonies that take up to four hours and more. For the Japanese, tea is much more than a beverage and the main aim of the ceremony is to cleanse one’s body and soul through the art of drinking tea. An art that evolved under the influence of Zen Buddhism, every little step that goes into making of this tea is unique. From how one sits during the ceremony to the atmosphere where it is held, the event goes through several processes. Months before the day formal invitations are sent to the guests by the host and those attending the event are expected to maintain modesty and respect as they gather in a room. As part of the cleansing ritual the guests are asked to wash their hands and mouths before the ceremony begins. After the purification the guests are greeted with a silent bow and while they are served little sweets, the host starts preparing the tea. They first clean the utensils and add scoops of Matcha tea powder in the bowl along with little hot water. The mixture is stirred with a bamboo whisk and then more hot water is poured. Serving Japanese tea or Matcha also has few processes, just like its making. So once the tea is ready the host passes it to the main guest who sips and passes it on to the next person after wiping the rim till it reaches the last guest and back to the host. To end the ceremony, the host cleans the bowl once the guests leave. CHINA Gong Fu in China is a popular tea ceremony which is very similar to the Japanese style of tea making. In this, the tea master arranges the teapot and cups in a circle and hot water is poured to keep the tea cups warm. The water is later discarded and tea leaves are added with some water which later
is allowed to steep. There are several rituals that are followed in this ceremony. While in one tradition hot water is poured outside the teapot, in another the tea master counts a full 4 deep breaths before beginning to pour in a circular motion. Normally the tea is steeped for 30 seconds in the first round. It is steeped again for the next round by pouring hot water. For this ceremony oolong tea is mostly used. Sometimes the rows of cups are neatly arranged and the guests have to pick them up themselves along with snacks. The ceremony comes to an end and the used tea leaves are put into a clean bowl for the guests to appreciate the tea. Cleaning up is also an important ritual. Pots are thoroughly cleaned with linen cloth and no soaps or detergents are ever used. ENGLAND You must have heard the song ‘at half past three, everything stops for tea’. It’s the perfect example of afternoon tea that started in England way back in the early 19th century when Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford suddenly fell ill one day during late afternoon and a pot of tea made her feel better. Some say she would often get hungry between lunch and dinner and hence this arrangement. Nevertheless, drinking tea in the afternoon soon became a regular practice and in due course she invited her friends to join her, turning this into a social event. Women from high society would often join for the tea gathering that was served with accompaniments like finger sandwiches, scones, sweet pastries, and cakes placed on tiered plates. Afternoon tea was earlier known as low tea as during the olden days women used to sit in low arm chairs while sipping their cuppa. Today the concept of afternoon tea has become more elaborate. Normally served at around 3-4pm, people are treated to other delights too apart from tea. The flavours include the strong Assam tea from India, mild and aromatic
tea from Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Chinese tea, and more. Today the concept of afternoon tea has evolved from just a ritual to an occasion to celebrate a special event. Several etiquettes are also maintained while having afternoon tea which includes placing the napkin rightly, stirring the tea gently, and avoiding hasty mistakes like splashing while making it. For high tea the etiquettes are more relaxed. MOROCCO If you want to have a cup of tea in Morocco get ready for some regality as ornate teapots that are engraved in silver are used to prepare the beverage. A variety of powdered green tea is used which is later sweetened with sugar and flavoured with mint and then served in crystal glasses. RUSSIA Tea is a significant part of Russian culture and has several traditions attached to it. Though the most favoured tea there, is black tea, people also drink green, and herbal ones. While nowadays teabags are mostly used, the true connoisseurs of Russian tea brew the tea leaves in a small teapot. Called zavarka it is poured into large cups. While the tea is served hot and is mostly preferred as black some people also add sugar and milk to it. The tea water is boiled in a copper vessel called Samovar and traditionally people pour the tea in a saucer and sip. Russians never serve tea without any accompaniments like cookies and candies. OMAN While Omanis traditionally love drinking Kahwa or coffee, there are some people in this country who are tea lovers too. People here love to have milk tea with sugar. For flavours they add spices like clove, ginger, and cardamom. — swati@timesofoman.com
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Jadavpur University (Kolkata, India) Alumni Association Oman Chapter organised their annual cultural evening Sanskriti 2017 at the Al Falaj auditorium.
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Al Injaz Private School organised their annual exhibition and Open Day at the Al Ansab branch.
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The All-New Infiniti Q60 was launched at the Qurum showroom.
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Sick Individuals performed in Muscat as part of their ‘One Night In Amsterdam’ world tour, held at Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
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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 | Easy
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PLAY AND WIN
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SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION OF OUR SODOKU POST ON FACEBOOK.COM/ HIWEEKLY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN VOUCHERS FROM PIZZA MUSCAT. SOLUTIONS & WINNERS POSTED EVERY SUNDAY.