Hi Weekly - September 23, 2015

VOL 9 ISSUE 23 / SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

Entering the Mosques of Muscat PAGE 20

THIS WEEK IN OMAN

WALK IT OFF

GRAB A BAG

Take advantage of the dropping temperatures and take a walk this weekend on n one of ďŹ ve great pedestrianfriendly routes.

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Enjoy the savoury, greasy, crunchy pleasure of takeaway and homemade sambusa, a tasty fried snack that circumnavigated the globe. PAGE 16

PLANYOUR PLAN YOUR EID ESCAPE

Spend the long weekend in one of these off-the-beaten-path destinations (less than four hours from Muscat). PAGE 8

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VOLUME 9 ISSUE 23 SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

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

hubert@timesofoman.com

Editors Hubert Vaz, Swati Dasgupta

swati@timesofoman.com

Chief Sub-Editors Mohammed Shafeeqe, Ashish Dubash ashishdubash@timesofoman.com

Special Correspondent Salim Joseph

shafeeq@timesofoman.com

salim@timesofoman.com

Reporters T. A. Ameerudheen Faisal Mohammed Naim

ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

faisal@timesofoman.com

Online Editor Mahran Shaukat Ali mahran@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 Photography MMG Photographers aziz@timesofoman.com

Head Of Advertising & Marketing Aziz K. Baker Production Manager Shafi Shaik Circulation Manager Vinod Panicker vinodpanicker@timesofoman.com

On The Cover Photography by Nada ElSayed Design by Waleed Rabin

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THE WEEKEND LINEUP Catch the hottest events that are happening this week in our calendar.

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FRIDAY

6:00pm Watch a Fashion show

Participate in Dragon Boat Festival

LC Waikiki is announcing its presence in Oman with a fashion show at Oman Avenues Mall. The official opening will be overseen by the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey at 5:00pm, followed by the fashion show at 6:00pm.

Avenues Mall, Ghubra appareluae.com

Photography: Supplied

7:00pm Attend the ROSO Anniversary Concert The Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra, celebrates its 30th anniversary at the Royal Opera House Muscat this weekend with a special concert featuring pieces dedicated to the Sultanate, created by composers Aziz Al Shawan, Youssuf Shawki, Lalo Schifrin, and Shirvani Chalaev.

Royal Opera House +968 2440 3332

Dragon Dynasty has organised the second Dragon Boat Festival running September 18-19 at Millennium Resort in Mussanah. The events for men, women, mixed and corporate teams include: dragon boat racing, stand up paddling, tug-o-war, sprint races, a family carnival, and a BBQ party.

Millennium Resort, Mussanah +971 4311 6651 dragonboatmea.com

See a Disaster in 3D Enjoy a spine-chilling climbing adventure at Vox Cinemas with “Everest,” based on an incredible 1996 disaster, which is said to be one of the best portrayals of an expedition ever captured on celluloid in 3D format.

Tickets: +968 2234 4444 voxcinemas.com

SATURDAY Shop for Eid attire at Mrunal’s Boutique If you’re looking for a new outfit for Eid, visit Mrunal’s Boutique to check out the new Eid collection from eight top Pakistani designers, like Gul Ahmed, Sana Safinaz, Sapphire, SNM, and Crescent.

Mrunal’s Boutique Qurum +968 2456 7599 mrunalsboutique.com

2:00pm Take on a Fitness Challenge Join the Omantel-Horizon Fitness Adventure Challenge, which kicks off at the Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club. Teams of four will travel to four of Horizon’s premier locations to take part in fitness challenges, guided by clue cards, while spectators watch the fun on giant screens at MHGCC. Registration: horizonoman.com

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VOLUME 9 ISSUE 23 SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

Going out of town to see any of these events?

Tag us on Instagram @HiWeekly_Oman

Will you be there this weekend?

Show us your pics! Tag us on Instagram #HiWeekend and tell us about it on Facebook.com/HiWeekly

KHALEEJI HAPPENINGS Broadcasting the best events in the GCC (Sept 17, 18, 19)

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Thursday, September 17 Middle East Game Convention (Dubai) Be among the expected 24,000 visitors at the biggest video game convention in the Middle East featuring thrilling games, eSports tournaments, table top gaming, cosplay competitions, workshops with celebrities, and get a sneek peek into new games and virtual reality products.

Dubai World Trade Centre Visit: megcon.me

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Thursday, September 17 Spandau Ballet Live (Dubai) Attend the Spandau Ballet, one of Britain’s great iconic bands (back after a sold-out success in Dubai in 2010) who arrive with their Soul Boys of the Western World tour to Dubai. The band have sold over 25 million records since they began as a group of friends in the late 70s.

Dubai World Trade Centre Tickets: done.events.com

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Friday, September 18 Adventures in Monahanland (Bahrain) Meet the ‘Irish-Iranian Teesider’ Patrick Monahan at a high energy family comedy show. Former winner of ‘Show Me the Funny’ in 2011, Patrick has entertained Bahrain before and has had many UK TV appearances since then.

Upstairs Downstairs Restaurant Tickets: +973 1732 8934

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Friday, September 18 All About House Music (Qatar) Enjoy house music from 5:00pm – 2:00am at the WAHM Lounge where DJ Juan Otao, the man behind the hottest parties in Ibiza, will get the crowd moving with his mesmerising house mixes.

WAHM Lounge Contact: +974 4453 5323

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Saturday, September 19 Indian Cultural Programme (Qatar) If you could not celebrate the 69th Indian Independence Day (August 15), here’s your chance, a month later, to share the joy of fellow Indians at a special cultural programme hosted by the Indian Embassy at the Diplomatic Club in Qatar.

Indian Culture Centre Contact : +974 4468 6607

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FIVE TO TRY Places to walk hiweekend@timesofoman.com

Road to Al Bustan

Seeb Corniche

Shatti Al Qurum Road

Azaiba Beach Road

Mutrah Corniche

The footpaths on both sides of the road leading to Al Bustan Palace hotel are lined with shrubs and neem trees and is safe and scenic, especially in the early evening as the sun dips and the lights come on.

In the evenings you will see pairs of power walkers enjoying the 11 kilometre stretch of sidewalk that runs along the sea. It is a wonderful place to enjoy a long hike early in the morning or in the evenings when it cools down.

The walkway along the beach from the Crowne Plaza to the Intercon is one of the most popular places to stroll in the mornings when it is empty and at night when lines of cars form on “Love Street”.

From Azaiba Park till the Civil Aviation Club, parallel to 18th November Street, this beachfront path is ideal for morning walks and late evening strolls after dinner, if you don’t mind the strong marine odour around.

Along the iconic seafront, from Mutrah fish market to Kalbou Park, past the Portuguese watchtower, this long, uphill hike is ideal for burning calories without getting bored. Join other fitness enthusiasts in the evening time.

Photography: Supplied

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LONG WEEKEND DIRECT ESCAPE ROUTES

GO EXPLORE THIS EID AL ADHA STORY FAISAL MOHAMMED NAIM Excitement is in the air. Eid is here and with it, a long holiday weekend. But where to go?

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are fine, but why not take advantage of the extra days off and travel to somewhere new, like one of these destinations, all of which are accessible by direct flight. Shop, dive, relax at the spa, snorkel, visit historic sights, or toss your itinerary and just spend the weekend wandering and exploring a new city. We’ve broken-down the basics and the destination highlights to help you decide where to spend the weekend. faisal@timesofoman.com

GCC HIDDEN GEM DOHA, QATAR

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sk the Qataris what they are most proud of (Bedouin roots notwithstanding) and they will undoubtedly say Doha.

And it’s easy to see why: the modern capital shines with spectacular tapering towers, an elegant corniche, lyrical sand dunes, and extravagant malls. Doha is arguably the most underrated stopover in the Gulf, offering historical sights, beaches, parks, and, of course, great shopping and architecture.

Direct Flight Duration: 1hr 30min

Major attractions: • Doha Fort • Katara Beach

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Dhow Ride Souq Waqif Omani Market

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MIA Park Khor Al-Adaid Falcon Souq

MEDITERRANEAN CULTURE & NIGHTLIFE BEIRUT, LEBANON

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ebanon is a melting pot of culture and attractions, from great historical sites to exotic cuisines; silky mountain slopes to sizzling night-life.

If you’re looking for the real East-meets-West style so talked about in the Middle East, you need look no further than its Mediterranean capital city, Beirut. Fast-paced, fashion-conscious, and overwhelmingly friendly, it’s not a relaxing city to spend time in — it’s too crowded, polluted and chaotic for that — but it is ideal for active travellers who can avail of its magnificent array of museums, restaurants, clubs, and boutique shopping.

Major attractions: • Al Omari Mosque • Robert Mouawad Private Museum • Corniche • National Museum of Beirut • Beiteddine and Deir El Qamar village trip • Anjar, Baalbek, and Ksara trip • Riviera Beach Lounge • Cedars of Lebanon, Kozhaya and Besharreh The country is so small, day trips to the country’s other towns, like historic Balbeq or seaside Biblos, allow visitors to see a very different side of Lebanon and its culture.

Direct Flight Duration: 4hr 20min

Accommodations: Decent budget accommodation are hard to find, but there are plenty of midrange and luxury options. If you want to stay in the middle of the action, book a hotel in the Ashrafieh, Gemmayzeh, Beirut City Centre or Hamra neighbourhoods.

Accommodations: Qatar’s main sights are all within daytrip distance of the capital. As a result, most visitors prefer staying in the large selection of luxury hotels concentrated in Doha and neighbouring West Bay and West Bay Lagoon.

Tell us about you’re ideal weekend getaway: Tweet @HiWeekly_Oman

We wanna see photos!

Post on our Facebook page and tag us in your weekend Instagram photos @HiWeekly_Oman

BEACH BLISS GOA, INDIA

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here might be no better place in the world to be lazy than on one of Goa’s spectacular beaches. The best of the beaches will live up to your mental image of a tropical paradise: Swaying palms, white sands, and sparkling waters.

This is no doubt what draws the 2 million visitors who flight annually to Goa’s balmy shores on India’s western coastline, facing the Arabian Sea. Though best-known for its nightlife, the city also has many spectacular churches, and major sites include the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the ancient Church of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception, Dudhsagar Falls, Cabo Raj Bhawan, and Fort Aguada among many others.

Direct Flight Duration: 2hr 55min Accommodations: From bustling backpacker hideaways to eco-lodges and top-end resorts, Goa caters for all tastes and budgets. Not all accommodations are open year-round, so check it is best to book before you go.

Major attractions: • Crocodile Watching, Spice Plantation and Elephant riding • Aguada Hill Cycling Tour from Nerul • Yoga Magic at Vagator Beach • Dolphin spotting at Arabian Sea • Trekking, rafting, and canyoning at Western Ghats • Snorkelling at Monkey Island • Bird Watching at Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

HOMEBASE FOR HISTORIC SITES AMMAN, JORDAN

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s Middle Eastern cities go, Amman is relatively new, and most visitors blow it off as a pit stop on the way to the historic city of Petra, the Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum, all just a few hours away, but Amman is a great destination itself, as one of the easiest cities in which to enjoy the Middle East experience.

A blend of old and new, the city has two distinct parts: Western Amman, which features posh residential areas, cafes, modern malls, and art galleries; and more conservative Eastern Amman, which maintains a more traditional Middle Eastern look and feel.

Major attractions: • Petra • Dead Sea • Wadi Rum • Afrah Restaurant & Coffeeshop • Museum of Archaeology • Beit Sitti • Roman Theatre • Citadel • Sufra In the centre of the city the ‘downtown’ Amman is surrounded by the outlying hills, and lorded over by the magisterial Citadel, features mosques, souqs, museums, and coffee houses,

interspersed by spectacular Roman ruins.

Direct Flight Duration: 3hr 35min Accommodations: There are two main areas for hotels; Jebel Amman, where you’ll find luxury and midrange accommodations close to downtown; or in downtown itself, where most of the budget options are located. The five-star hotels compete favourably with others in the region and represent reasonable value for money. The midrange options are pretty standard, but typically include wifi, and air-conditioning.

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Story Ashish Dubash Illustration Lucille Umali

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olouring your hair is a great idea, but with it comes great responsibility as it can be damaging to your hair. Flavia Jacintha Fernandes from Europe Beauty Centre gives us the scoop on how to colour properly and make your new hue last.

1. Learn About Your Hair

Visit an expert who is good with hair colours. We all know for a fact that hair products could react differently on each person. Therefore, first know your hair, learn your hair texture, the colour, how it reacts to various things and take into account your skin colour. A trip to the salon is a good way to get started if you are looking to change colours.

After you know the right colour for your complexion and the right shade for your hair type, you can continue the upkeep at home. I personally would go for L’Oreal Paris, or even brands such as Kolestone 2000 or Matrix.

2. Buy the Right Product

Nowadays, hair colours contain dyes, alkaline substances, conditioners, stabilisers, fragrance, detergents, and emulsifiers. Avoid products that have ingredients such as Diethanolamine (DEA), Formaldehyde, PPD, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), Fragrance, Triethanolamine or Hydroquinone. Look for a colour that is also ammonia-free, as it is composed of monoethanolamine (MEA) which is an organic compound.

It is used as a pH adjuster combined with emollient oils, that makes it less volatile, and less damaging.

3. Prepare Your Hair

Go for a hot oil hair treatment three days before your hair colour day. Avoid washing your hair a day before the application of your hair colour that will make your hair ready for the colouring process. Also avoid washing your hair 48 hours after application of colour.

4. Maintain a Touch-up Schedule

You should wait for at least a minimum of two weeks between hair colour applications. Typically, hair colour is applied between 4-6 weeks, more often if you have grey hair that needs to be covered or if you have used a colour brand that fades away real quick. For the roots, if you see visible hair, and you find it noticeable by others, too, it’s time for your touch up.

5. Make it Last

Whether you get your hair coloured by a professional or at home, everyone wants to make their colour last longer.

Choosing a professional hair colour brand is step one.

Also when one colours one’s hair, one must take great care of it, just like you do to your skin. You need to nurture it by using a good shampoo, deep conditioner, and getting hot oil massage treatments, which is also nice if you’ve had a tiring day. Finally, avoid exposure to constant heat which will damage your hair and dull it. No colour is truly permanent, but one can always prolong the duration through proper hair care.- ashishdubash@timesofoman.com Visit Flavia Jacintha Fernandes at the Europe Beauty Centre, +968 9573 1662

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FRENCH-OMANI MOD Story Patricia Groves

Photography Shabin E

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hat Roland likes most about his house are the pools and pillars. The black pools were designed to reflect the concrete pillars that stand timelessly on the grounds. But the pools also catch the sky, the flowers and the façades of a very unusual residence. Roland refers to the pillars as ‘forests’ and informs me that there are no less than 250 on the property. He loves the way a falaj runs like a natural stream through the Embassy’s Chancery, the ‘forests’ and the gardens to the house and beyond.

Yes, Roland is the French Ambassador, Roland Dubertrand; and he is taking me on tour of what is undoubtedly the most contemporary ambassadorial residence in Muscat.

“The style of the embassy complex is typical of the French contemporary architecture of the late eighties, the era in which it was built – with an Omani touch.

This combination is powerful. The architectural style is very, very contemporary; and yet, Omani features like the falaj, the carved wooden entrance door, and the dome fit very well in this context. Many Omanis have commented on how much they like the architecture for its originality and the flavour of Oman that they see not only in stylistic features, but also in the gardens, the flowing water, the date palms and bougainvillea.”

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The ambassador went on to explain that the designers from Architecture Studio in Paris wanted to include an upside-down dome like a huge saucer stationed on the roof of the Embassy, but the Municipal Officials who graciously approved all the other contemporary features, understandably could not tolerate an upside-down dome.

“And it’s a good thing too. Imagine what would happen with heavy rains.

The saucer would quickly fill and then spill like a great round waterfall into the lobby of the Chancery.”

As we enter the residence, I see two beautiful old mandoos in front of a frosted glass wall that’s etched

with flying birds. As I enter the sitting room, looking through it to the back garden, it feels as though the birds are flying in with me. The bird theme is found elsewhere in the house where wooden ducks and swans sit on window ledges, some of which have views of the sea.

Everywhere I look there are Omani elements — a matched pair of vintage khanjars, old copper coffee pots, paintings and photography

by Omani artists like Alia Al Farsi and Ahmed Al Busaidi. The French Government has endowed the residence with wonderful pieces of contemporary French art including a

“I found Omani paintings that suit the contemporary tenor of the residence and it is very important to me to have the French-Omani harmony of the architecture also reflected in the art of the residence”

Do you have a beautiful space to feature in Hi? Tell us about it HiWeekend@ timesofoman.com

Inspired to recreate one of the Hi Spaces? Show us before and after pics on Facebook.com/HiWeekly

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 23 SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

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THE DETAILS ADD MODERN OMANI-FRENCH FLAVOUR TO YOUR SPACE

BOLD SEATING Go for playful contemporary furniture in bold colours, like these chairs from Home Centre, Al Khuwair +968 2460 1569, homecentrestores.com

striking wall tapestry by the famed French artist, Claude Viallet; and, while the ambassador very much enjoys living with art from his homeland, he has enjoyed adding pieces by Omani artists.

“I found Omani paintings that suit the contemporary tenor of the residence and it is very important to me to have the French-Omani harmony of the architecture also reflected in the art of the residence,” he explained, as we move deeper into the residence, toward the kitchen, which I learn is equipped to prepare gourmet dinners for as many as fifty people and canapés and buffets for up to 400.

From there we access the six bedroom guest quarters via one of the most stunning features in the house a curving double stairway that winds like a sculpture through the space in a way that is reminiscent of tower staircases in Omani forts. Like a moving mural, blasts of colour makes ascent an experience reminiscent of a stroll through the Pompidou gallery in Paris.

We continue touring the house, passing through a lounge featuring a giant free-standing archway, under a ceiling that undulates like ocean waves, past glorious art and unusual architecture that makes me feel as if I have walked the inside contours of a vast sculpture.

Finally, we emerge outside in the seaside gardens facing a large, dark pool where reflected pillars create a parallel world. Peering into the surface, I almost think I could step into the compelling optical world below.

I turn to the ambassador, and ask the seasoned diplomat, who has been posted in South American countries as well as Iran, what he likes most about Oman.

“I like the forts because of their rich historical legacy. You know the history of the French in Oman, dates back to 1660, when the French had command of the southern waters of the Indian Ocean while Oman had dominion over the northern waters.

At that time bilateral relations were highly cooperative.”

We continue chatting and I learn about the latest cooperative efforts between his government and Oman, a plan to renovate Bait Franza in old Muscat and create a wonderful stateof-the-art museum.

All too soon it is time to leave, and as I walk along the falaj, the gardens and the Chancery, I notice flashes of colour overhead and see that there are panels of stained glass with modernistic designs intermittently placed in the crossbeams. I bask in the yellow, green, red, and blue light that rains on me as I leave Roland’s magic realm.

LOCAL AND MODERN Find contemporary Omani art at Bait Muzna, Saidiya Street, Mutrah, +968 22473 9204, baitmuznagallery.com

RAINBOW BURST Don’t be afraid of colour, as long as items are in the same palate (ie, don’t mix pastels and neons) they will work together for a contemporary look.

Perk up your pillows with cushion covers from Homes R Us, MGM, +968 2439 6160, homesrusgroup.com

BUILT IN ART Turn your space itself into a work of art, with water features, textured plaster ceilings, artful glass walls, or any whimsical detail that catches your eye during your travels.

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Show us the best snack in Muscat on Instagram @HiWeekly_Oman

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DINE IN / DINE OUT

SAMBUSA TIME STORY FELICIA CAMPBELL PHOTOGRAPHY ALI JANI Perhaps one of the most intriguing Omani snacks, exemplary of the complex web of culture and trade throughout the Indian Ocean, the sambusa, a triangular, fried pastry stuffed with various ďŹ llings from cabbage to ground beef to spiced chicken and onion, has mysterious origins. Despite its strong association with India, where it is called samosa, the sambusa originated in the Middle East, with versions found in ancient Mesopotamian and Palestinian cookery. It travelled through Central Asia to South Asia via the trade routes in the 13th century, but in Muscat today, people do not associate this popular snack with their close Middle Eastern neighbours in Iraq, or even with India, but instead it is widely considered a Zanzibari food. How did this happen? Did the fried treats come to Zanzibar from Egypt with the Saharan trade caravans?

Did 19th century Indian traders introduce them to East Africa? No matter the route they took, the fact remains that these tasty triangles took the long way to get from their ancient birthplace in central Arabia, circumnavigating the trade routes of the east, before being reintroduced to Oman by the traders of Zanzibar. I for one am glad they made the trip.

Find the vegetarian versions of these tasty fried treats at the snack shops in the Mutrah Souq or at almost any of the roadside teashops throughout Muscat. For a taste of the meat or chicken-ďŹ lled versions, go to Zanzibar Island Restaurant in Ghubra next to Bank of Beirut (+968 2449 7783), or check out the recipe below and try your hand at making them at home. felicia@timesofoman.com

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METHOD

OMANI CHICKEN SAMBUSA Makes 25 pastries

INGREDIENTS Filling • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for frying • 3 scallions, chopped • 1 small red onion, minced • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 (1-2 CM) piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated or finely minced • 1 serrano chili, seeded and minced • 500g ground chicken • 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro • 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cumin • 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper Wrappers and “Glue” 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour 25 frozen or refrigerated square samosa or spring roll pastry wrappers (not rice wrappers), thawed if frozen

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To make the filling, heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the scallions and onions until they begin to soften and brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, and chili, stir, and cook for a few minutes.

Add the chicken, cilantro, cumin, salt, and black pepper.

Cook, stirring frequently to crumble the chicken, until cooked and browned, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper; set aside to cool.

Mix 3 tablespoons water with the flour in a small bowl to make a kind of pastry glue. Cut each square pastry wrapper in half and put the 2 pieces together to form a rectangular strip, overlapping by about a centimetre. Paste the overlapping pieces together with the pastry glue, creating long rectangles. Working with one wrapper strip at a time, make a cone at the bottom by lifting the bottom right corner closest to you up and over to the left so the point of the corner sticks out 1 centimetre over the left edge, then fold it back on itself to form a pocket. Spoon 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of chicken filling into the cone and then fold the filled cone, as you would a flag, in on itself, until the entire wrapper is folded, creating a sealed triangle. Use a little pastry glue to seal the triangle closed. Transfer the sambusas to a baking sheet and cover with a damp towel until ready to fry.

Heat 5 centimetres of oil in a wok or medium saucepan over medium to medium-high heat until shimmering and hot. Carefully drop in several sambusas at a time and fry, flipping as necessary, until golden and crispy, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain. *recipe adapted from “The Food of Oman: Recipes and Stories from the Gateway to Arabia” (Andrews McMeel, 2015)

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What’s on your wishlist?

Tell us about it HiWeekend@ timesofoman.com

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Splash, Centrepoint, Al Khuwair, +968 9647 3106, splashfashions.com, OMR4.000

COPPERHEAD METAL-ACCENTED NAVY LEATHER BELT from Promod,

Qurum City Centre, +968 2455 8240, promod.eu, OMR16.900

RING ME UP TEARDROP MIDI-RINGS

from H&M, Avenues Mall, +968 9352 1924, hm.com, OMR2.900

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THE ART O

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Text T.A Ameerudheen

osques are not just the places of worship, these monuments—magnificent blends of architectural styles and designs—are unique expressions of praise in and of themselves. The Sultanate is home to a myriad of mosques, each one distinctive in style, crafted by skilled artisans under the supervision of renowned designers and architects. Here we offer a peak inside of five such labours of love, turning an eye not to the towering minarets, or lavish exterior gardens, but to the delicate details, like calligraphic inscriptions, intricate tiles, marble layers, exquisite chandeliers, and bespoke doorways, which harmonise to provide each space its singular, sacred ambience.

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SULTAN QABOOS GRAND MOSQUE The most iconic and largest mosque in the Sultanate, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque was built in 2001 under Royal Orders. The ďŹ rst thing most visitors will notice upon entering are the imposing corridors. The solid marble arches are crowned with strips of Quranic verses, which are highlighted by the beams of sunlight

that stream through the columns. Beyond the entrances, vibrant colours begin to emerge from the austere facade with blue-stained glass windows; rows of tile mosaics in fantastic colours; a Mihrab (prayer niche of the Imam, one of the sacred parts of the mosque) decorated with tiles bearing Persian-style ower patterns;

and, perhaps in most striking contrast with the subtle exterior, the 14-metre high chandelier and the second largest Persian carpet in the world, which ornament the main prayer hall. *The mosque is open to non-Muslim visitors between 8am to 11am, Saturday to Thursday

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MOHAMMED AL AMEEN

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Set high on a hill in Bausher, the Al Ameen mosque (known to some as the Bahwan mosque after its private ďŹ nanciers) was just opened this year, but its beautifully illuminated domes have already come to feel essential to the Muscat skyline. Open to non-Muslims only during special open-house events, the lovely place of worship is admired by many residents from the exterior alone. The interior spaces feature a contemporary Omani style with rich carved woods accenting crisp white marble.

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AL ZULFA

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Opened in 1992 in Al Seeb, just off the Sultan Qaboos Highway, the Zulfa mosque is widely known as the Royal Guards mosque (likely because of it’s proximity to the Royal Guard base). With more than 20 beautiful domes and corridors overlooking a wide landscaped area, it is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. The Mihrab is decorated with coloured glass cut in beautiful forms and patterns, used to add light and colour to the interior to enable worshipers to read verses from the Holy Quran by natural light during the day. Gold colour is featured prominently in the decorative designs, and this, along with classic chandeliers, give the monument a distinctly Arabian Gulf feel. *This is not a visiting mosque, so there are no non-Muslim visiting hours

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TAIMUR BIN FAISAL This Mabellah mosque, built in 2012 in memory of the grandfather of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, features a blend of 16th century Mongolic architecture and modern Omani architecture. It has a unique ceiling with three domes. Beautiful marble layering adds to the beauty of its exterior, while the interior showcases some of the most intricate Arabic calligraphy. *The mosque is open to NonMuslim visitors between 8am to 11am, Saturday to Thursday

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IN FOCUS WERE YOU AT ONE OF THESE EVENTS? SEE IF WE CAUGHT YOU ON CAMERA. SCAN QR CODE TO SEE THE FULL GALLERY

Art Exhibition Oman Malaysia art exhibition held at Royal Opera House Muscat. Cake Gallery was the gold sponsor of the exhibition.

Onam Celebration Onam celebrations held at Asia building.

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