almara-aug-2011

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from the desk

AUGUST 2011 EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Salman Ibrahim Al Balushi GROUP EDITOR Mayank Singh DEPUTY EDITORS Rekha Baala Rana Alawneh ASSISTANT EDITOR Deepa Rajan CORRESPONDENTS Sushmita Sarkhel Myssaa Said Al Hinai DESIGN SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Sandesh S. Rangnekar SENIOR DESIGNER Aliya Al Waheibi SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Rajesh Burman PHOTOGRAPHER Motasim Abdulla Al Balushi PRODUCTION MANAGER Govindraj Ramesh ADVERTISING & MARKETING ADVERTISING MANAGER Pooja Verma ASSISTANT ADVERTISING MANAGER Fareeda Sulaiman Al Balushi SENIOR MEDIA EXECUTIVE Benaifer CORPORATE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Sandeep Sehgal EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Alpana Roy VICE PRESIDENT Ravi Raman SENIOR BUSINESS SUPPORT EXECUTIVE Radha Kumar BUSINESS SUPPORT EXECUTIVE Zuwaina Al Rashdi DISTRIBUTION United Media Services LLC COOKBOOK - An Presentation

Published by United Press & Publishing LLC A Renaissance Services Company

P.O. Box 3305, Ruwi, Postal Code 112, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Tel: 00 968 24700896 Fax: 00 968 24707939 e-mail: almara@umsoman.com website: www.umsoman.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express permission of the publishers.

… BECAUSE THE CHOICE IS MINE. We got this as an e-mail forward recently and found that it holds a lot of relevance in the fast-paced world we live in. Yes, sometimes, you need to take time to stop, smell the roses… and think of yourself. So that when you look inwards with lots of love and conviction, the outer world becomes blessed too… • Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not tackling all of my problems at once. I can do something at this moment that would discourage me if I had to continue it for a lifetime. • Just for today I will try to be happy, realising my happiness does not depend on what others do or say or what happens around me. Happiness is a result of being at peace with myself. • Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is and not force everything to adjust to my own desires. I will accept my family, my friends, my business, and my circumstances as they come. • Just for today I will take care of my physical health; I will exercise my mind; I will read something spiritual. • Just for today I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. If anyone knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least one thing I don’t want to do, and I will perform some small act of love for my neighbour. • Just for today I will try to go out of my way to be kind to someone I meet. I will be considerate, talk low, and look as good as I can. I will not engage in unnecessary criticism or finding fault, nor try to improve or regulate anybody except for myself. • Just for today I will have a programme. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests – hurry and indecision. • Just for today I will stop saying, ‘if I had time’. I never will find time for anything. If I want time, I must take it. • Just for today I will have a quiet time of meditation wherein I shall think of my Higher Power, of myself, and of my neighbour. I shall relax and seek truth. • Just for today I shall be unafraid. Particularly, I shall be unafraid to be happy, to enjoy what is good, what is beautiful and what is lovely in life. • Just for today I will not compare myself with others. I will accept myself and live to the best of my ability. • Just for today I choose to believe that I can live this one day. Before we sign off, here’s wishing you Ramadan Mubarak and Happy Friendship Day! Until next month, stay cool, people!

Copyright © 2011 United Press & Publishing LLC Printed in the Sultanate of Oman at Oman Printers & Stationers

e-magazine – logon to www.oeronline.com or email us at almara@umsoman.com to get your personal e-magazine.


CONTENTS FASHION & BEAUTY

COVER STORY

16 You can give back to society in different ways. Here’s how some individuals and initiatives do it…

62 Khadija Al Lamki showcases her stunning abaya collection that is a wonderful blend of traditional and the modern.

AM RECOMMENDS

16

14 Rock the party with trendy nail art from Minx, available at Tips&Toes.

SPECIAL 22 Four non-Muslims tell us what fasting during the month means to them… 26 Must-have products that will make you a 30 Some great ideas for Qaranqasho. super hostess! 32 Aliya Al Yazidi presents some simple and traditional recipes for iftar.

62

Beauty Plus

50 Two fabulous looks from Guerlain’s newTerracotta Collection.

BEAUTY ZONE

52 The beauty check-list.

Beauty Buzz

57 Acne can be treated in a number of ways. Dr. Fatma O. Ali. CEO, Emirates Medical Centre outlines some popular treatments.

PEOPLE EXCLUSIVE

26

38 Meet Siham Tib, a fashion designer who’s making waves with her diverse collections.

FEATURES TOP DRIVE

54 The all-new Volkswagen Jetta 2011 is a woman’s best friend. We have all the exciting details. 42 Yes, kids do mean business if they get the right opportunities and platform to exhibit their talents. Two initiatives show the way. 44 Profiling the women RJs at Muscat’s new radio station Merge 104.8 FM and why they are all the rage. 48 Sparkles, the cafe cum spa is for women, by women..

SOLUTIONS HEALTH PLUS

56 A Q&A session with Dr Smita Lulla, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist.

AT HOME

70 Practical ideas for your home and you...

WELL-BEING

50

28 Fasting establishes a harmonious relationship between the body and soul , says Dr. Prema Seshadri.

On the cover: Siham Tib Cover Design: Aliya Al Wahaibi

IN EVERY ISSUE

Your Say •Life, etc •Stargazing•Reviews•News


BABY SHOP


YOUR SAY

Address your letters to: The Editor, Al Mar’a, United Media Services P.O. Box: 3305, PC 112 Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman or fax us at 24707939 or e-mail us at almaraoman@gmail.com

LOL! I loved the Laughter Special in Al Mar’a. Thanks for listing out different ways to bring humour into our lives. A good laugh is a laugh shared. It’s true that laughter brings people together. A good laugh also brings relief to the mind and helps you face the tasks of the day well. I recommend many laughs a day. In this stressed-filled world, it’s all we have to keep us sane and going. Laugh my friends, and the world will surely love it! SEEMA SHEKHAR DARSAIT TIMELY FEATURE Your cover story on the newly proposed Marriage Support Fund was timely. The story was exhaustive and covered all aspects. It’s great to see Al Mar’a focusing on a social issues always and that too with so many relevant inputs and ideas. You had interviewed all the right people and their opinions are certainly valuable. The Marriage Support Fund is indeed a novel idea and we hope that it will

soon be implemented. Here’s looking forward to more stories of these kind. SUMAIRA AL RIYAMI SEEB SUMMER IDEAS I simply loved your Summer Special pages in the last issue. It was very helpful as I was at home with the kids during holidays this time. Instead of lazing around, we spent the holidays in a much organised way. And I also made sure that the kids ate right. And I found that I had all the time in the world to talk to them and understand their needs and preferences better. We also went to the vegetable and fruits market (as suggested by your article) and had a whale of a time picking up healthy stuff to eat. At the end of the day, we made a yummy fruit salad together. It was the best summer holidays of all! CHRISTINA THOMAS QURUM SUPER STAR Thank you very much for an interview

with Lamia Tariq, one of my favourite stars. I am a fan of all her shows. Going through the interview, she certainly came across as an intelligent and creative personality. I really wish you’d publish more interviews of superstars from the Arab world. KHADIJA AL KINDY MUTTRAH FOOD FOR THOUGHT Your cuisine pages on summer recipes were a visual as well as a delicious treat. I tried out all the recipes and they came out really wonderful. I loved the Pineapple Twist and the Cranberry Punch, real thirstquenchers in the summer heat. The Summer Pudding made a wonderful dessert at a party I recently hosted. It was a hit for guests who demanded the recipe and I showed them the copy of Al Mar’a… Thanks for bringing more culinary variety during the long summer. RAKSHANDA REHMAT AL HAIL



NEWS

A yummy offer

Festive Specials The Spicy Village chain of restaurants has geared up to welcome the Holy Month of Ramadan with new menus and facilities. There are delicious suhoor and iftar options. Customers visiting Spicy Village in Al Khuwair, Rusayl, Sohar, Sur and Nizwa will be able to break their fast with a refreshing spread, followed by a sumptuous dinner buffet featuring 30 exquisite international dishes, prepared by the restaurant’s talented chefs. Taking this tradition to even greater heights, Spicy Village now has a new, fully-equipped party hall at Darsait, which can comfortably accommodate over 250 people and is perfect for iftar parties.

High-flier Now this is great news indeed! Oman Air beat two other newcomer airlines to win the much coveted ‘Promising New Foreign Airline of the Year’ award in the sixth edition of the KLIA Annual Awards held recently. Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB), honoured Oman Air with the ‘Promising New Foreign Airline Of The Year’ award for exceptional performance for the year 2010. Congratulations! 8

AUGUST 2011

Here’s an offer that’ll make you drool! Pizza Hut has introduced the all new ‘Pasta Mondays’ promotion that offers customers unique Italian flavours, and any delicious sauté pasta of their choice at just half the price. On the menu are Spaghetti Bolognaise, Fettuccine Chicken Alfredo, Italian Chicken Linguini, Creamy Chicken Tomato Penne, Mediterranean Shrimp Spaghetti, and Spicy Shrimp Linguini. Take your delicious pick!

Top of the range It’s the season of new launches. Did you know that Nokia has recently announced its latest handsets, N9, E6 and C2 series? The N9, Nokia’s latest smartphone announced recently, introduces an innovative new design where the home key is replaced by a simple gesture: a swipe. With this innovation, there is no need for a home button, meaning the screen is all-encompassing. Nokia has developed the E6 to become the essential smart device for anyone looking for seamless on the go social connectivity and engagement. The Nokia E6 also brings a unique touch and type user experience that was designed to help satisfy the different interactivity demands of the most social users, while the new Symbian Anna platform offers a host of usability enhancements, including fresh, new icons, improved text input, easier and faster internet browsing experience. You’ll love them all!

School Stuff Get a load of Babyshop’s Backto-School collection. It includes interesting options for boys and girls of all ages. While the Barbie, Mickey Mouse Club House, Dora, My Melody and Disney Princess ranges are ideal for any girl, boys will enjoy flaunting their bags and accessories featuring Ben10, Spiderman, Cars, Ferrari, Hotwheels, Manchester-United and Transformers. The comprehensive assortment that extends across every educational facet of a child’s life also includes school staples, accessories, and uniforms. It’s time to take your kids shopping!



NEWS INTERVIEW

Smart & Stylish

Upwardly mobile

Samsung has announced the launch of its revolutionary Smartphone, the GALAXY S II, the widely anticipated smartphone that has the speed and power to provide an unrivalled mobile performance. Combined with sleek design, powerful performance and advanced applications, the new device provides immersive, intelligent and integrated experiences that enrich people’s lives. Samsung also launched the new generation of Samsung Galaxy TTabs, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9, that are the thinnest tablets available in the market today. It’s time to give the geek in you new wings!

E-max, your favourite electronics store has a few good things in store for you. It now showcases the Intex range of mobiles. Apart from the exclusive product range, which of course brings in its loyal customers, E-Max has other treats in store for gadget lovers too. A wide range of laptops, gaming gadgets, audio-video and home appliances also feature in the sprawling store. Make a visit, today!

What-a-car! Behold! The all-new 2011 GMC Terrain is now available in Oman at all the showrooms of Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan & Co LLC, bringing with it over 100 years of engineering and capability, albeit in a smaller and more fuel-efficient package. A segment leader in fuel efficiency, it stays true to the brand’s characteristics with a boldly styled exterior, comfortable interior, an unusually high level of standard content and a smooth ride. Book a test-drive, to get a load of this beauty.

Dance the music Did you know that Nawras has launched an exciting new Backstage bundle featuring all the latest tracks and popular songs from Bollywood? Backstage customers can now have access to a catalogue of one million tracks from the Hungama music label, where they can download and listen to as many songs as they like on their mobile and PC. The new Bollywood package offers great value at only one Omani rial per month. Cool, eh?

10 AUGUST APRIL 2011 2011

Flavours of India There’s a new Indian restaurant in town. Arryans, located on the first floor of Al Falaj Hotel, serves a wide range of authentic Indian food from Kashmir to Kerala. The ambience is cosy and the food traditional. There’s also the ‘live’ tandoor that adds to the fine dining experience that Arryans provides. The restaurant also caters to corporate business lunches and other services. For a taste of India, we simply recommend Arryans.


BREAKING NEW GROUND The 8th edition of OER CEO Golf will tee off at the Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club on January 12, 2012 Call it what you may, the biggest corporate networking event of the year, a CEO’s day out, an exclusive club, a serious club and ball sport, an evening of gaiety and more – whatever your take on it is, what finds consensus is the power and glory of the OER CEO Golf 2012. The 8th edition of OER CEO Golf will take place at Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club -- Oman’s leading golf course on January 12, 2011. Presented by Nawras Business Solutions, the event promises to be bigger, better and grander this time around. So if your clubs and golf balls have been lying idle it’s time to get onto the greens and tee off, practise your drives and putts, negotiate the fairway and other hazards. On D-day it’s going to be each CEO for himself, a time when business partners turn adversaries and friends vie with each other for top honours on the golf course.

Surprises galore

And all this bloodletting will happen in an atmosphere of conviviality, revelry and fun. Exciting elements have been planned for both the golfers and non-golfers. The grand finale in the evening is a climax befitting this by-invitation-only

event for the who’s who of Oman’s corporate community. It is, as always, a glittering affair with high profile entertainment, a sumptuous dinner spread, and more! OER CEO Golf is a unique opportunity for the leaders of Oman’s corporate community to link up over an 18-hole game of golf at the country’s finest, and one of the Middle East’s most exciting PGA-standard courses. For those new to the game it is a good chance to get acquainted with the CEO sport. Golfers-to-be will get an opportunity to get a quick induction to the game with tips and tricks from an expert, followed by a trial game over a few holes. The previous editions of OER CEO Golf have been a resounding success in terms of the profile of the attendees, engaging activities, sophisticated ambience and the strong partnerships forged during the day. The event has broken new ground every year with formats, activities and entertainment. OER CEO Golf is an annual event organised by Oman Economic Review, the Sultanate’s premier business magazine.

Congrats! In the month of June 2011, renna mobile – one of the very first MVNOs in Middle East – reached operational break even (EBITDA). renna mobile launched its operation in May 2009 after having secured a wholesale agreement with Omantel and a Class II Mobile Reseller license from the country's telecoms regulator. It quickly positioned itself firmly in the Omani market with a value proposition anchored around light prices and clear and transparent communication to the consumers with no hidden charges and no ‘fine print’. Way to go!

Online fun Your favourite seafood restaurant is now making a splash online! Muscat’s in-crowd will now be able to soak up the ambience of the Capital’s trendiest new seafood restaurant all at the touch of a button with the launch of the popular eatery’s fresh new website www.lameroman.com and Facebook page. La Mer, Muscat’s premier beachfront restaurant looks set to tempt the taste buds with its interactive online pages, images of the restaurant and independent reviews. Be up to date with news, rewards and seasonal offers.

AUGUST 2011 11


NEWS

Offers galore

Perfect Shots Iftar delights The Palm at Park Inn Muscat, is a perfect place to break fast during the Holy Month of Ramadan.The iftar buffet menus are rotated daily to ensure that regulars are not faced with the same dishes day in and day out. Traditional favourites include an appetising selection of cold and hot mezzeh, Arabic mix grills, mouth-watering biryanis, ouzi and stews to name a few. The buffet includes an assortment of delectable desserts to finish off and is priced at just 12 rials nett per person. Bookings for groups can be made in advance.

Unique experience This Ramadan, head to the Ibis Muscat Hotel for a truly unique iftar experience. The daily iftar buffets, starting from August 1 2011, which will be held in the Open Restaurant, will start from 6pm until 10 pm and for only 9 rials nett, customers will be able to sample a wide variety of traditional dishes. Drop in, and as they say, feel the difference.

12 AUGUST 2011

For your sheer ‘shooting’ pleasure, Panasonic has launched its new range of Panasonic Lumix cameras in Oman. These include the Lumix G Series professional digital SLR camers as well as the compact point-and-shoot cameras, with new release models ranging from the newlycreated S Series up to the high end and extremely successful, travel zoom TZ range. The new line-up boasts of the best in the industry picture quality coupled with better zoom capabilities, wider angle lenses and professional consumer features, such as GPS and a touch screen with shutter activation. Choose a camera according to your style and requirements!

Multi-tasker How clean is really clean? Ask the new Black & Decker steam mop. It has Autoselect® technology that easily gets rid of those entire tough-to-remove marks and germs with minimal effort, ensuring that your floors are sparkling clean whilst reducing the time and energy spent mopping. Equipped with an on/off button for added control, the environmentally friendly steam mop kills 99.99 per cent of germs, operating on water and heat alone. This eliminates any concerns surrounding the use of chemicals in the family home and means you can happily let the children play on the floor knowing that the germs have gone. Home maintenance doesn’t get any better than this!

What a wonderful way to celebrate the Salalah Khareef Festival! Omantel has announced two exciting offers. The first offer is for post-paid customers. Anyone who signs up to the many and varied Mada post-paid payment options will automatically be provided with 500 free SMS messages every month for a three month period – effective from whenever they open a new account. The second promotion will offer the Hayyak Starter Kit at Rials 2 but subscribers will get an additional 50 per cent – Rial 1 - of bonus credit that can be used for National/International Calls, SMS, MMS, Data and other services.

Art of Gifting Celebrating the great Arabian tradition of gift giving, Amouage has introduced special coffrets exclusively for the season of Ramadan and joyous occasion of Eid. The two gift sets comprise one of Amouage’s bestselling and highly-acclaimed fragrances, Dia with a luxurious body lotion for women or shower gel for men from the Bath and Body Collection. Gift sets also available in Gold, Reflection and Jubilation (Only for women). Gifts for someone you love!


EVENT

Petite Treats BreadTalk, is celebrating the upcoming Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr with a selection of petite baked goods. With years of experience, the chefs at BreadTalk have been able to combine traditional savours and modern flavours to create the perfect miniature sized delights. Jannat Moosa, Marketing Director at Bin Mirza International said, “BreadTalk is consistently recognized as a trend setting lifestyle brand, which allows us to be creative and innovative in traditional times, such as Ramadan and Eid. We pride ourselves in finding novel and original ways in presenting culturally familiar goods with a twist, prepared by our local chefs.” Bon Appétit or shall we say, petit?

Heady whiff Driving fun The all-new MINI Coupé is here. MINI’s newest addition will give the small car segment further variety with the launch of the first two-seater in the brand’s diverse model range. Driving enthusiasts across the Middle East can look forward to a level of agility unmatched in the small car segment. Along with a unique body and interior concept as well as the brand’s customary commitment to premium levels of quality, technology and go-kart driving experience. The MINI Coupé sees the brand’s sporting DNA transferred into a cutting-edge vehicle concept with a new interpretation of the super-compact sports car class. As the sportiest model yet in the MINI line-up, the MINI Coupé sees the brand breathe new life into its successful racing history. A truly sporting experience!

The First Fragrance by Lolita Lempicka explores all that a woman is: strong, imaginative, sensual and graceful. In the Eau de Toilette, Lolita Lempicka combines full fruity notes with the sophistication of floral and woody notes. The fragrance offers women a soul-restoring break from the mundane. You could also get a whiff of Agua de Loewe Mediterraneo from Loewe, the new fragrance and the first stop in its Treasures of the Sea collection. It tells a story of the Mediterranean Sea and is a fragrance for him and her, that gives off fresh and succulent citric notes that are able to interpret the sensations evoked by being next to the shores of the Mediterranean on a spring afternoon. It has fruity, floral and woody notes that reflect the spirit of the Mediterranean like no other. Get your bottle of each at the nearest Capital Store outlet. AUGUST 2011 13


RECOMMENDS

BE BRIGHT

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: It’s the latest trend in celebrity nails. Minx is your beautiful, attractive and fashionable alternative to nail polish. And the best part? It stays on for two whole weeks. Say goodbye to fake tips and messy nail polish. Minx is here and has exploded on the fashion scene because it’s not just a new

Where: Tips & Toes, Bareeq Al Shatti 24603963 MUSCAT CITY CENTRE 24558889 What: Nail Art by Minx

14 AUGUST 2011

way to show off your nails, but nail art in its trendiest form. HOW IT WORKS: The nail stylist Joy at Tips & Toes performed a basic manicure before the application and cleaned the nail plate of all oils and residue. There are over 100 different patterns to choose from… from zebra patterns to floral flourishes. We chose ‘Burgundy with a silver swoosh’ that we felt would look good on any outfit and suit any occasion. The coatings are heated under a lamp to make them flexible, warm and adhesive. The stylist then lined up the rounded edge with the cuticle and dragging the coating, presses it upon the nail. The Minx glass nail file is used to remove the excess coating. And in just a few minutes, you have nail designs to match your mood. The same can be done on your toes as well. OUR VERDICT: Superb for a party, a wedding or just a night out with your gal pals. It’s easy to apply and the designs are simply out of the world. What’s more, they last forever on your toes and look fabulous. Minx also touts it as a green product as it doesn’t use chemicals for application or removal. It’s funky, it’s fun and it gives nail art a whole new meaning. Go for Minx… and be a showstopper!

Benefit has launched b.right Radiant Skincare – essentials that cleanse, moisturise and specialise for a radiantly refreshed, lit from within look. Turn up the wattage with luxuriously lightweight moisture. We tried the Triple Performing Facial Emulsion that protects the skin against sun damage with a broad-spectrum blend of UVA & UVB filters. What also works to the skin’s benefit is the Total Moisture Facial Cream that provides concentrated immediate and long-term hydration. It contains natural plant-based squalene and mango butter emollients, known to provide moisture. Other must-haves in the range include the Foamingly Clean Facial Wash that effectively cleanses the skin, removes makeup and impurities with a soft, gentle lather. You could also try the Refined Finish Facial Polish that beautifully brightens the complexion, gently exfoliating to purify the skin and help minimise the appearance of pores to reveal skin’s natural radiance. Go, get the glow!



COVER STORY

True satisfaction and meaning in life comes from being able to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Rana Alawneh profiles a few dedicated individuals and campaigns that have made others’ problems their own and brought about the change they wished to see…

ART OF GIVING “Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.” Mother Teresa

It’s very easy to say you care. But it’s also easy to show you care. And all it takes is a little bit of your time… What it gives you in return is immeasurable. Blessed are those who believe that making a positive change in society is far more fulfilling than only contributing a few rials to a cause. Contrary to how the popular song goes, ‘it’s not only money that makes the world go around’. It’s ‘giving back’ that keeps the world spinning. Man, by nature is a social animal; he has to interact with the people around him to move forward. Why not channel this interaction by combining it with a sense of responsibility to the world we live in? Giving can happen in different ways. You can begin by volunteering for a cause that is close to your heart. Or you could simply encourage people to cherish their dreams and hopes. There is no limit to giving and there’s no end either. You just need to know where to begin… the opportunity could be present right in your neighbourhood. You just need to have the will and the heart. Al Mar’a presents a few real-life stories of people and volunteer groups who have made a huge difference to the society we live in, and in the process, enriching others with their selfless acts of service.

16 AUGUST 2011


Making dreams come true Basma is a group of volunteers working together to make kids’ wishes come true. Their aim is to focus on the special needs of kids, enhance their abilities, boost their confidence and help them interact more with the community. The only returns they look for is a smile on the kids’ faces and their families’ jubilation. Basma helps differently-abled children, those with terminal illnesses and orphans. How did it all begin? It began when a group of youngsters got together and decided that they needed to give back something to the society they lived in. One of them had heard of Ahmed Al Mazroui, a young 14-year-old whose aim in life was to be a sports commentator. Physically challenged, Ahmed’s life is mostly confined to the wheelchair. A football buff, Ahmed’s idols are Yousef Essa, the renowned sports commentator and Esam Al Shawli of Tunisia. Ahmed’s dream turned into reality when the group of youngsters (soon to be called Basma) co-ordinated with Oman TV that gave him the opportunity to provide a live commentary during one of the football games. The youngster gushes over the experience, “I felt like I was on the field, it was both thrilling and exciting. After this experience, I am more focused on becoming a professional sports commentator for which I will receive training on Oman TV first. My aim is to move onto popular sports channels in the region,” he said. And thus began Basma’s imprint (that’s what the name means!) on the lives of many, especially the under-privileged children. Early this year, Basma and 10 children from an orphanage headed to Kidzania in Dubai. Kidzania is a special place made for children and run by them. A place where they fly aeroplanes, drive buses and work For more information on the in restaurants. A place activities of Basma, where children are free visit them at to live their dream, playing adult roles in a world created just for them, www.facebook/Ba9ma. in meticulous detail. It was a great experience for the kids and they enjoyed it to the hilt. At the end of the day, they chose the ingredients of their pizza themselves and paid for it from the money they earned from their work. Basma is a wonderful example of reaching out to the community and showing they care.

AUGUST 2011 17


COVER STORY

Just listen to them How often have we felt like dedicating a part of our time, just to listen to others’ troubles and difficulties? How often have we felt like reaching out to those who need help from ‘real’ troubles? Baidha Al Sikaiti is part of the Al Hayat Association that is active in providing health and psychological care to current and recovering drug addicts and those addicted to psychotropic substances. For Baidha, it all began when she came to know that a boy she was acquainted with since childhood had died of drug addiction. “I felt that the danger was very close to our doorstep. I therefore wanted to do something, and take the initiative to work towards the drug menace.” At first, she attended two meetings every week where she listened to drug addicts talk about their suffering. She encouraged them to go in for rehabilitation and complete treatment. Her first experience was gut-wrenching and she left the meeting because she could not hear any further. “It was like trying to calm down a crying child when you don’t know why he is crying, what he wants and you don’t know how you can help him. We discovered that there are many reasons behind their agony such as family problems, bad company, lack of family support and others. All these reasons made them turn to drugs,” she says.

For more information on the Al Hayat Association visit www.al-hayat-om.org

18 JUNE 2011

“As family is an integral part of who they are or have become, we decided to have separate meetings with them. This brought about a positive effect and helped remove the stigma associated with the problem, as the families felt that there were others who understood them and what they were going through. Drug addicts were also encouraged to speak up,” she adds. After a period of time, Baidha gained the required experience in helping drug addicts go back and lead a normal life and also think clearly. “When you talk to a drug addict, you should try to be open minded and take an approach that will increase their self confidence and encourage them to continue treatment. Many of the addicts managed to get rid of their addiction, go back to their careers and become active members in society. They were just in need for somebody to listen to their suffering,” she concludes.


A love for reading who is also lar author and poet Jane Jaffer is a popu ad’ campaign Re t’s tiative, the ‘Le ini r he for wn no ll-k we to promote Dar Al Atta’a. It aims under the aegis of the an by setting ongst children in Om the love of reading am ild ch ren in and play rooms for up reading corners , nurseries and ies rar ent school lib lem pp su d an ls ita sp ho , computers, with books, furniture community centres uipment. They ational tools and eq literacy games, educ and, with the initiatives in schools also support reading students, ty rsi students and unive help of high school . ren read to child provide volunteers to to promote the med in 2007, works “Our committee, for this in a variety do ildren in Oman. We ch to g din rea of e lov them at the Qurum used books and sell of ways: we collect nth. This provides Thursday of each mo one Complex on the last prices (two books for books at reasonable od many r go ou th wi for s ity ok un bo s we buy Arabic everyone in comm ok bo g llin se m fro y we raise rial). With the mone . ys sa e sh ” projects, ildren to write. year to encourage ch ch ea n tio eti mp co lds a writing this year in a book ll be published later The initiative also ho wi n tio eti mp co s ar’ this ye The best entries from an. Om m fro s rie Sto , entitled g is a key nt. Obviously readin to read for enjoyme ren ild much more ch is ge it t ura Bu co r. en “Our goal is to and a good caree s on ati fic ali our qu g nin of obtai people. It broadens to success in terms the world and other t ou ab rn ers lea oth we of d rea derstanding than that. When we lop tolerance and un o . This helps us deve life s sorbed. Reading is als ard ab lf tow se s ok les tlo ou me co be d an e’ . tur ent years the ‘big pic more stressful in rec and we begin to see ’s lives have become ren ild Ch . ax rel to y a great wa ne. ildren relax,” says Ja Reading can help ch king volunteers g more Arabic spea din fin is es fac n aig s the camp le willing to devote One of the challenge create a list of peop to like uld wo e “W e. d. We need people to to join the committe lp children learn to rea he to d an not only ren ild ch has a positive effect time to read to tivities. I believe this ac great to ny is ma it r y ou sa th us wi help us ose who help Th r. tee lun vo the on o nefits it brings to the on the child, but als ile and to see the be wh rth wo d la an ive sit d a playroom in Khou do something po s, we recently create thi rs of tee ple lun am vo ex the an For more information, you children. As riano. One of rship from Montead the so o on int sp to me s ca nk ild tha ch l, can write to Jane Jaffer at Hospita lls said a sick of animals on the wa crying and elixirhfc@hotmail.com who painted a mural animals she stopped the w sa e sh as on ur.” so As . ily reading for an ho playroom, crying to read and sat happ ok bo a up d ke pic smiled. She a’a ‘Let’s Read reading, the Dar Al Att te mo pro to nt wa d an So sign up now! So if you love books give back to society. n ca u yo y wa the be Campaign’ may just

AUGUST G S 2011 19


COVER STORY

Awareness is key Najla Al Futaisi dedicates her time and efforts in a special campaign that intends to raise awareness of autism. The group also includes other like-minded people like Thuraya Al Riyami, Balsam Awald Bedir, Fatin Al Kalbani and Sara Al Hashar. Together, their mission is to make people aware of autism, treatments available and how to help autistic children. This cause is close to Najla’s heart because her sister who is seven years old is autistic. She discovered that many Omanis do not know much about autism and therefore spreading awareness was important. “We made a presentation at our school on autism and also printed some leaflets that included details about it. These were distributed at Muscat City Centre. We also sold T-shirts with the logo of the campaign. A march was organised in co-ordination with the Association of Early Intervention of Children with Special Needs from Bareeq Al Shatti to Qurum Natural Park. Around 500 people took part and our efforts met with success.” For more information on autism, visit www.aei.org.om

On April 2, which is also commemorated as World Autism Awareness Day, Najla and her team assembled at Qurum City Centre, met with children and helped raise awareness about autism. This campaign indeed proves that if a group of young people put their hearts and minds to it, anything is possible.

20 AUGUST 2011


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FEATURE

IN THE TRUE SPIRIT

FOUR NON-MUSLIMS TELL REKHA BAALA HOW FASTING DURING THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN HAS CHANGED THEIR OUTLOOK TOWARDS LIFE…

22 AUGUST 2011


at large. I also believe that spiritual discipline achieved by fasting enhances the doing of good to humanity. Just as we feel the need for R&R for our physical body, so too our digestive system needs an R&R and this is an ideal period to do so. It is a period for self contemplation as the mind is switched off from external influences and is allowed to practise self-restraint from undesired impulses. Spiritually it gives me time to catch up on reading the scriptures and learning about the teachings of different faiths and their common message of universal love and tolerance. It also awakens the search for the true reason for our existence – ‘to serve our fellow beings’.

Development of character “It was during Ramadan in the year 1999 that as part of the community service initiative of the Serve And Inspire (SAI) Group, iftar meals were provided to residents of various industrial camps in Ghala. I was invited for iftar at the ELCO camp. I reached a few minutes before iftar, having had a proper breakfast and a full lunch. Watching the Muslim brothers, breaking their fast with a prayer, I could feel the air of piety about them and see it writ large on their faces. It was an enriching moment for me. I then decided that I would also fast for the rest of the month and have been fasting ever since durimg the month of Ramadan. I generally fast for the whole month of Ramadan, unless I have been travelling, which happened last year when we went to settle my son at college in the US, but I try to make up for it some other time. I fast for the spiritual benefits that accrue from it and, as a side benefit, it helps to stabilise one’s physical and mental health status as well. But apart from this, the main purpose of fasting for me is probably for the development of character. It does help to know what a person who is deprived of his daily food undergoes and so it helps to broaden one’s outlook towards society

The Holy Quran, whenever it prescribes some action, also provides the wisdom behind it. Having been involved in the community here, especially with the Ministry of Education and being involved in the Times of Oman & SAI Group Spreading the Light through Human Values events over the last few years, I had been pondering over how the basic human values of truth, right conduct, non-violence, love and peace, which are inherent in every human being, could be brought forth and it occurred to me that Islam is a true embodiment of these five values, having them in the five basic pillars of Islam. If only people all over the world followed the teachings of the Holy Quran and live life as shown by Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH) then the dream of world peace would definitely turn into reality.

SPECIAL

F

asting is an integral part of the Holy Month of Ramadan which is also a period of reflection, devotion, generosity and sacrifice and is observed by Muslims all over the world. It has intense spiritual meaning and also aims at strengthening the bonds between people. In Oman, there are also a few nonMuslims who fast during this month. They do so because they believe in and have been blessed with the benefits of fasting, physically, mentally and spiritually. Al Mar’a speaks to four people for whom fasting during Ramadan has become a way of life.

Mind is clear, calm and resolute

“It’s been more than 10 years now since I started fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan. When it started it was more because of the ‘being one with the Omani and Muslim friends’ factor. I would anyway participate in the iftar with them; so why not in the fasting as well; that’s how I thought of it first. But it was not very long before I started noticing the benefits of such a discipline. The body felt lighter and healthier, the mind so much more clear, calm and resolute. I think one’s willpower or the

Year after year, one thought always pervades the mind – is fasting in Ramadan becoming a ritual? Is it not prescribed as a way of life? Should not the feelings and discipline practised in this holy month become a way of life for the remaining 11 months? Is it not why Ramadan occurs each year to reawaken and rekindle our spiritual heart? I am still searching for the right answer!

Dr. Narayan Ramachandran Senior doctor working in the government sector AUGUST 2011 23


FEATURE

ability to resist the vagaries of the mind becomes stronger. Coming out of the fast every day, I could sense a feeling of freshness, which is quite inexplicable really considering that one’s been away from food and water for almost 12 hours.

also a personal choice based on faith of its purpose and benefits. It keeps me rooted to basic needs of life and awareness of those who can’t afford these.

But above all is that feeling of deep compassion that arises within oneself - I cannot fathom how it springs forth but it is deeply moving. You feel humbled by the magnanimity of this creation, and oneness and sense of belonging to all those around you.

After the first week, when the reserve fats melt, I certainly feel the pangs and try to divert my attention on tasks. But it is sheer joy to see mental conviction win over the physical cravings of thirst or hunger. Fasting awakens the realisation that no matter what wealth one possesses, during the moment of thirst those few drops of water or morsels of food are the most precious. A thought flashes through me… what if I never had access to food or water at that point is enough to awaken the core spirit of compassion.

I look forward to this month of piety every year.” Anil Khimji Director, Khimji Ramdas

All about caring, sharing and self-control

“It all began when I was an academic guiding part-time students’ projects. While trying to motivate them to stretch their working hours in order to complete their deadlines, one of my students asked me what I would know how they feel during fasting. Yes, I had to experience this myself before I advised them and thus began my Ramadan fasts. It must

I sincerely thank my family and my colleagues whose support keep me going through the true spirit of Ramadan. We feel the common bonds grow stronger and go beyond regional or religious differences. Fasting is all about caring, sharing and self-control. Often I tend to skip the suhoor meal and end up eating a single iftar dinner towards the end of the day. My outlook towards life has always been the same: savour it in all its flavours and believe every moment and every experience has a purpose. Being conscious of basic simple human needs is always bliss. We must thank God for

Makes one look inwards

“I first began fasting around 13 years ago. I was going through a difficult time and I pledged that I’d fast for peace of mind. I thought it’d be able to calm me down and help me look at my problems in a different light. Since then I’ve been fasting every year.

be over nine to 10 years since I began fasting. Being a vegan all through my life has been a conscious choice and similarly fasting for a month during Ramadan is

24 AUGUST 2011

Fasting has helped me mentally, physically and spiritually. It helped me look inwards and understand what my shortcomings are and think a little more. Apart from the initial discomfort during the first two days, I did not have any difficulty in fasting at all.

every moment; it should be a continuous feeling and not a momentary feel. At the end of the period, I miss it all the more and wish it came more often.” Sangeetha Sridhar Content Consultant

I’ve felt stronger and more thankful for what I have in life. I feel that it helps you become more patient and spiritual. It helped me look at life in different ways. For the past two years, due to health reasons (I suffer from high blood pressure) I’ve not been able to fast in its entirety. But except for a glass of water or a cup of coffee I try to go the whole day without food. Sometimes I do feel sad that I cannot follow the routine I used to.”

Meenu Sukhramani Training Manager National Hospitality Institute (NHI)



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This festive season, be a proud hostess. A host of options will give your ‘entertaining’ new sheen and shine! AUGUST 2011 27


WELLBEING

FOR BODY & SOUL A

s a child, I feasted on Amar Chitra comics! They presented stories from the ancient mythologies about all things good and all things evil. It appealed vastly to the righteous quality of a child’s mind. And it has had left behind a lasting impact. Then by the time I was old enough to read a full book, I read the epics written by Rajaji, a doyen of pre and post Indian Independence politics and a writer popular amongst the young for his narration of the great epics, the influence of which made me curious then and continues to do so even now. Of, course the interest now is in the angle in which I perceive the tales and the way I seek the truth behind them. All the epics and comics were peppered with tales of women fasting and the men observing severe penance.

Penance and fasting by women were invariably a way they adopted to align themselves with the consciousness of the higher beings they sought to appease or to wed. This appealed so very much with the romantic in me that very early on in life, I would try and imitate these characters and try my hand at fasting and meditation. Fasting is a part of every culture and belief system in the world. While the reasons are

FASTING CAN PURIFY THE BODY AND MIND AND DEVELOP THE PURE QUALITIES OF DETACHMENT AND EQUANIMITY, SAYS DR. PREMA SESHADRI


many and varied, I fervently adhere to the principle of fasting because of the benefits I have accrued from the practice. And because the benefits are immense, it is a practice that many of us observe not just at one particular period but also several times through the year. Fasting is indeed a denial of the physical needs of the body and the emotional cravings of the mind. The tendency of the human mind is to draw patterns and get stuck to patterns. While following a pattern is a sign of self-discipline, it has its downside too. When it involves food and eating, it often makes us forget that we ought to be eating to live and not the other way around. The body needs only so much for sustenance and the stomach can hold only so much, but the senses continue to crave, and we continue to feed those cravings. So, fasting is a gift to an over-burdened body and an over-indulged mind. It gives a chance to the body and mind to break out of a pattern and give it a new direction. The ancient science of Ayurveda has spoken elaborately of the merits of fasting. According to this ancient discipline, fasting is an effective way to kindle the digestive fire and burn away accumulated toxins from the body and mind. It also eliminates gas, lightens the body, improves mental clarity, provides a clean tongue and fresh breath, and preserves overall health. However, it also does not recommend infrequent and long term fasting, that could deplete bodily tissues and create imbalance to the constitution. It favours regular and short term fasting, which could be on the same day each week or setting aside a few days each month, all depending on individual constitutions and cleansing requirements. There is an increasing support for fasting by the scientific community. There is an over consumption of salt in our diets today than the normal requirements of the body. This can be seen in the increased incidence of water retention in the body, a major factor for hypertension and cardiovascular problems. Fasting helps the body ‘desalt’. Fasting, done properly, has another major

advantage. It is a kind of ritual that can purify the body and mind and develop the pure qualities of detachment and equanimity. Whether it is done as a part of a religious sacrament or a part of a penance or as a mark of worship, fasting can only give benefits. Fasting helps create an attunement with the Absolute by establishing a harmonious relationship between the body and the soul. It nourishes the physical and spiritual demands so necessary for overall health.

SPECIAL

However, fasting also has to be undertaken with an enormous sense of responsibility. There are of course norms as to who should and should not be observing fast. Besides these norms, it is also important how fasting should be observed. Since Ramadan fasting involves abstaining from food from sunup to sundown, many practitioners tend to gorge themselves during feasting after sundown every night, and often again with huge breakfasts before first light. A study highlights a 20 per cent increase in food consumption during the month of Ramadan each year! This kind of bingeing will take away all benefits of fasting. Fasting will be most beneficial during the Holy month of Ramadan, if the food consumed is of the smallest quantity that the body just about needs and not a grain more. In fact, a few grains lesser is highly recommended. Foods must be light and easily digestible. Fruits and nuts are ideal for the system during the month long fasting period. Juices that are fresh and sugar free along with plenty of water after breaking the fast is extremely important to prevent dehydration and constipation. It is good to consume simple carbs and easily digestible proteins like vegetable proteins, which are easy to break down by a slow-functioning metabolism. This will keep the mind light and easy and enable better quality of prayer. After 21 days of fasting, which Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi called “21 days of uninterrupted prayer”, he said, “There is no prayer without fasting”. Let’s observe fasting from a space of awareness, joy and giving and incorporate light exercise, preferably yoga, into our everyday routine. It will help eliminate the toxins that build up during fasting.

n a d a m Ra barak, my!. Mu readers dear

(Dr. Prema Sheshadri is a psychologist, writer and entrepreneur)

AUGUST 2011 29


FESTIVE TREATS

KIDS’ STUFF QARANKASHO, A SPECIAL NIGHT DURING THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN IS DEDICATED TO CHILDREN. AL MAR’A PRESENTS SOME ‘SWEET’ TREATS THAT WILL ADD JOY AND FESTIVE CHEER

30 3 0 A AUGUST AU UGU GUS ST T2 2011 01 0 11


SPECIAL

From Jood, Al Hail, 99879277


CUISINE

T

he Holy Month of Ramadan is a blessed one. It’s the time for introspection, to look inwards, count our blessings and be happy in mind, body and soul.

The period is also one of togetherness, where families get together to break fast (iftar) and enjoy quality time with one another. And for this reason, food plays an important part in the cementing the bond. Special recipes make their way to the table and it’s important that the food is not only tasty, but also healthy and wholesome keeping in mind, the long period of fasting.

We met up with Aliya Al Yazidi, a wonderful cook and an enterprising businesswoman for some iftar recipes. Married with seven kids, Aliya decided to translate her passion for cooking into a fulfilling career. She began a small catering unit at home and slowly graduated to taking orders for parties and banquets. She simply placed an advertisement online and the next day itself, the orders started pouring in. Now, she is very much in demand when it comes to parties and events. Aliya elaborates: “I come from the Sharqiyah region that is well known for its colourful traditions and costumes. While I love traditional Omani food, I am open to influences from other regions as well. Other cuisines will add colour to the palate.” Speaking about her venture, Aliya says, “All this has been possible only because of the support from my family, especially my husband who encouraged me to follow my dreams and my passion.” Aliya does not want to stop at just catering from home. She is looking forward to having a restaurant of her own, some day. “Right now, I am planning to open a restaurant that will serve Omani, regional as well as international dishes,” she says. Here’s wishing her all the best… This is a woman who knows what she wants and the way forward. A woman after our own heart… The Al Mar’a woman! Here are some of her recipes:

S

Aliya Al Yazidi is an avid chef and an enterprising businesswoman running her own catering unit. Here’s her story…

32 AUGUST 2011

eason pecials


SPECIAL

GREEN SALAD Serves: 2

5-6 lettuce leaves, cut lengthwise 6 baby tomatoes, cut into halves 1 carrot, chopped 10 olives, chopped 10 soft cheese cubes For the dressing 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp yoghurt 1 tsp vinegar Place all the vegetables in a bowl with the cheese. Add the dressing and toss.


CUISINE

SOUP Serves: 4

2 cups white harees, cooked till tender 1 small onion, chopped 2 chicken breasts, boiled and cubed 2 cloves garlic, chopped Ÿ cup oil 3 stock cubes ½ cup of cream A pinch of black pepper Omani spices according to taste Pour oil into a pan. Fry onion till soft. Add garlic, cooked harees, chicken, stock cubes, pepper and water and leave to simmer for 10 minutes. Lastly, add the Omani spices, cream and remove from heat. 34 AUGUST 2011


CHICKEN AND SHRIMPS STICKS Serves: 4

4 chicken breasts, cut into cubes 250 gm medium-sized shrimps 2 cloves garlic, crushed Âź cup soya sauce Âź cup vinegar 1 tsp pepper Dry herbs 2 cups flour 2 eggs 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp red chilli powder Salt to taste Oil for frying Mix garlic, black pepper, dry herbs, soya sauce, vinegar and salt till it becomes thick. Line chicken, shrimps on wooden skewers and pour the marinade till they are fully covered. Leave for 15 minutes. Beat the two eggs into half cup of flour, add water till it becomes batter like consistency. Take the remainder flour, add turmeric and chilli powder and mix well in a separate bowl. Dip the skewers into the liquid batter and then the dry flour mix and deep fry. Serve with fried vegetables or salad.

AUGUST 2011 35


CUISINE

SAFFRON RICE WITH FAHITA Serves: 2

1 cup basmati rice 1 cup water Few strands of saffron A pinch cardamom Salt to taste ½ stick butter 1 tsp food colouring Cashew and pine nuts for garnish To prepare the fahita 4 meat steaks A pinch of fresh herbs A pinch of pepper ¼ cup soya sauce 2 cloves garlic ¼ cup olive oil Mix herbs, pepper, soya sauce, garlic and olive oil to form the marinade. Coat the meat steaks with the marinade and leave for an hour. This is called fahita. Shallow fry the fahita in a pan for 10 minutes. Remove and fry the nuts in the same oil. Lightly, fry the rice in butter, then add water, saffron, cardamom and salt and allow to cook. To serve, place alternating layers of meat and rice in a bowl. Press lightly and then reverse on a serving plate. Garnish with nuts and decorate with cucumber slices.


SWEET SAMBOSA Serves: 4

Sambosa sheets (available readymade) 1 cup nuts 1 can cream 1 cup sugar 1 tbsp butter ½ cup sugar syrup Mix the nuts, sugar and cream. Cut the sambosa sheets into 4 cm pieces, or longer if you like. Brush butter on the pieces then fill with cream and nuts. Shape into triangles and bake in oven until done. Top with sugar syrup

Recipes by Aliya Al Yazidi Photographs: Rajesh Burman and Motasim Al Balushi Compiled by: Myssaa Said Al Hinai Cookware courtesy: salmanstores


EXCLUSIVE

RESPLENDENT FABRICS. TIMELESS DESIGNS WITH CONTEMPORARY HUES. THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE DESIGNS OF SIHAM TIB. SUSHMITA SARKHEL RECENTLY MET UP WITH THE DESIGNER TO TALK ABOUT HER LABEL AND MORE…

FASHION FORWARD 38 AUGUST 2011


W

ith three years of experience, it’s fair to say that Siham Tib is still relatively new to the fashion industry. Yet, she has managed to make a mark of her own and has everyone vying for her designs. Indeed, it is rare to find designers who’ve managed to accomplish as much as Siham has within such a short period of time. Kaftans, takshetas and jellebas in luxurious fabrics and exquisite motifs – Siham’s designs speak for themselves. Her collections draw inspiration from the rich cultural traditions and infuse

stylish elements from modern-day trends. The result is a blend of traditional philosophies and urban sensibilities to ultimately create a line for women today. Says Siham, “Lately, there has been an increasing need for traditional wear for events such as parties and weddings. What I try to do is keep that and give it a touch of modernity. The taksheta dates as far back as the 17th century, but women used to lead different lives back then. Today we work, travel and do some many different things. I wanted to create a line that suits and celebrates this ‘modern’ woman and create my designs keeping


EXCLUSIVE weddings each year and then there are birthdays, special family occasions and much more. So many occasions to wear traditional wear and yet there aren’t many people who design them.” Of course, the journey wasn’t easy and she had to face quite a few challenges. “Tailors in Morocco mainly design according to what they have in mind,” she says. “Most of the times what I’d ask the tailor to do was something quite new and unique but he would go ahead and do it his own way. That was quite challenging.” Whether it’s her haute couture collection, bridal wear, beach kaftans or accessories; she makes it a point to create one-of-a-kind pieces, each distinctive in its own way. “Each woman has her own character and her own way of wearing clothes. Hence, I believe, that each dress has to be unique and a reflection of her personality. Even if you like a particular dress and want exactly the same – I will still sit down with you, understand your tastes and then add something slightly different – like a change of colour, the way it drapes around you, or even the embroidery.” Her work is more than just a fashion statement. Through her designs and fashion shows, she’s slowly beginning to revolutionise the concept of the hijab and dismiss the perceptions that surround women who wear them.

this in mind.” In fact, her latest collection – which also won a prestigious award in Europe – is a prime example of Siham’s vision. “In my latest collection, I brought back the whole navy style. The dresses are still traditional but with navy prints and colours – we even had the models saluting at the end of the show. So it’s the same taksheta from back in the day but with a new touch.” It is hard to imagine that this talented designer, in fact, went to university to study Economics! Siham laughs, “Although I have been interested in fashion since I was 15, I didn’t actually give it a thought till a few years back, when I started organising my own wedding and designing my own dresses. So many people came up to me asking

40 AUGUST 2011

who designed my dress and that’s where it all started.” Armed with an undeniable passion for all things fashion, Siham set out to create garments that has been under-served in the European markets – traditional Arabic couture. “There are about 3500 traditional

“During my first international show, I featured women wearing the hijab. And I was glad to notice that people were very perceptive towards it. Ultimately, we are all women, we just express ourselves in different ways – it doesn’t mean we are not the same inherently. Just because you wear a hijab doesn’t mean you think or act differently. I personally know a lot of women who wear them (the hijab) and they are some of the smartest and wisest women I have come across. And I’d really like to dispel the perceptions associated with it.” We at Al Mar’a love the positive message that Siham’s trying to convey through her designs and that too on such a prominent platform. We wish her only success!

Siham will be showcasing her designs at the Dar Al Atta’a Eid fair during Ramadan 9-11. For more info, visit www.sihamtib.nl/



KID’S PLAY

g n u o Y , s t r a e H s d n i M Big ALL CHILDREN HAVE VISIONS AND A LITTLE SUPPORT CAN HELP GIVE THEIR DREAMS WINGS. MYSSAA SAID AL HINAI TALKS ABOUT TWO UNIQUE INITIATIVES THAT HELP FACILITATE THESE ASPIRATIONS AND CREATE INDEPENDENT ENTREPRENEURS

42 AUGUST 2011


H

ave you ever thought about investing in the immense talent that your children possess? How about a workshop that can help them acquire new skills?

Al Mar’a casts light on a unique initiative entitled ‘Little Fingers’ by Layali Al Asalah. This workshop helps kkeep children between ages 10 -15 busy with the help of many organized they learn to conceptualise, activities where th create and later, eeven sell their ‘work’. It’s indeed a fun way to bring the creativity of these youngsters to the fore.

Little Fingers Fing

During Little Fingers Finge La Spring Bus Exhibition, Layali Al Asalah ppresented a novel and the firstThe company dedicated of-a-kind idea in Oman. O a special pavilion for children where they could explore their talents. talen They also invested in their products and organised a mini exhibition. The response to tthe idea was phenomenal This birthed the and beyond any expectation. e present-day workshop. concept of the pre “Children and their the ideas never fail to impress me,” says Samah Al Wihaibi, Creative Manager. “Unfortunately, our ou schools lack the resources of students. The idea to integrate the talents ta seeing ‘KidZania’ in Dubai and struck me after se I wondered if it was w possible for us to give children a chance to explore their talents and utilise their products produ in a more commercial setting. I wanted to t give these kids an opportunity obtain a source of income and learn

how to plan for their future.” Needless to say, her interaction has been quite a learning experience. “Throughout my interaction with them, I noticed that they possess a strong willingness to learn. This was very evident at the La Spring Bus Exhibition and therefore I thought of organising workshops to help kids acquire new talents. We dedicate a day each week to display their products. The response by the public and the children as well has been great and many of them have acquired basic knowledge on buying and selling. I wish the academic institutions would adopt such ideas and help our kids shape better futures for themselves,” concludes Samah.

Injaz Oman

Injaz Oman was launched in 2005 and is one of the initiatives of the Injaz al Arab project. The project aims at promoting entrepreneurship among school students and help them plan their future. The project encourages students to become successful entrepreneurs and encourage them to pursue it as a viable option in the future. Injaz Oman has made impressive achievements and over the years has managed to instil the spirit of entrepreneurship in about 11,000 students at 21 Education Directorates. “As part of Injaz Oman 2009, a number of female students at grade 11 qualified for the final stage of the competition and secured the top

spot at the Injaz al Arab competition which was held in Lebanon; despite the tough competition from other schools and university students from the different countries,” says Executive Director, Shabib Al Ma’mari. “The project targeted the production of paper from fronds and turning it into gifts. They started with a small capital and sold Rials 400 worth of products. Astonishingly, they managed their project as if they have been in the business for years,” he says. “We strive to change the common misconceptions among students and encourage them to become successful entrepreneurs. We found that 80 per cent of the students plan to work for the government, which is not ideal. We can change their mind sets if we give them examples of successful people within the private sector who’ve made it on their own,” he adds. Shabib also affirmed that the cooperation the project has received from the Ministry of Education, the Vocational Guidance Centre as well as other respective agencies has had an encouragingly positive impact on the success of this initiative. “Currently, we put in efforts to change the perceptions of the students by providing them with the opportunity to start their own venture. We also help them plan out the projects and provide them with a good background on how to establish ventures.” These kids certainly mean business!


FEATURE

ON THE AIRWAVES 44 AUGUST 2011


Oman’s newest station Merge 104.8 FM has taken the city by storm and become a firm favourite among listeners. As a special treat to all our readers, Al Mar’a decided to catch up with two of their super-talented radio presenters, Rumaitha Al Busaidi and Sayeh Stone. What followed was a tête-àtête peppered with lots of laughter and a smashing, one-of-a-kind interview. Here’s more…

T

he first thing you notice about Rumaitha and Sayeh are their glowing, put-you-right-atease smiles. Warmed by their openness and sunny attitude, I immediately jump-in with my first question, how did you get into this line of work? Sayeh, who was born and raised in the United Kingdom, recalls being a very talkative kid, “When I was a little girl, my mom and dad would get annoyed when we used

ne ayeh Sto Name: S t Drive a c s u M e s of Show: Th urite Artiste: King o v a F Current ow Leon ers like h Treat oth : o don’t tt d o n m My eated. A tr e b to you’d like ppy! ha t: worry, be ir momen ry good with -a n o y Quirk t o n ve , ately I’m nounced Unfortun once pro I . s is n t o [I ti . ” ia pronunc ) as “inks 80s band INXS (the “in excess”.] ed pronounc

to go on car trips because I would always be the one at the back nattering. But at that point I didn’t know that I’d end up being on the radio.” Her passion for drama meant that she went to university to study just that, drama and writing. “After university, I think they should teach you what to expect because you have this degree and you think you can get any job that you want, related to the degree, but it’s not like that in the


FEATURE

Name: R umaitha Al B Show: T he Lunch usaidi Break wit Rumaitha h Current F avourite A rtiste: Ce Green e Lo My motto : Carpe D iem. I str believe in ongly this one and som chide my etimes self for n ot seizing moment. the Quirky on -air mom en younger siblings (s t: I have two even and and som nine) etimes th ey can ge mischiev t a little ous. One time I wa air and c so alled out to them s n “I’m watc aying, hing you! An you’re do ing.” Nee d I know what dless to s spooked ay, itt them out.

real world.” says Sayeh. Soon she saw an advertisement for a radio sales executive and decided to go for it. “Although it was a Sales and Promotion job, that’s how I got into radio. I then worked as a presenter, followed by a stint as an assistant producer for television (while still having an evening show) and now I’m here.” Rumaitha’s story, on the other hand, is slightly different. Armed with a Master’s degree in Marine Toxicology she had totally different expectations about the kind of job she’d like to do. “But real life soon kicked-in and I realised it’s nothing like what I’d been thinking.” After holding down a ‘regular’ job, she was invited to host a weekly sports show on Al Wisal FM. She then moved on to Radio Sultanate of Oman 90.4 for a couple of years and now she’s with Merge 104.8.

46 AUGUST 2011

“So it’s all very recent,” she says. “I just started off in 2007. I don’t have that much of an experience but I love entertaining people.” Rumaitha hosts the Lunch Break, a show that follows a different theme each day. She aims to connect with the youth and has lots of features that appeal to the local audience. News, sports, and entertainment – Rumaitha talks about it all! Sayeh, of course, hosts the Muscat Drive. “I have daily features and great music to keep you happy and entertained from late afternoon to early evening – more importantly, the company from listeners is great and I always like to thank them for doing just that – keeping me company throughout the show.” Contrary to what most people might think, being a radio presenter isn’t a breeze. So I ask them if they still get pre-show jitters. “Yes, I do get nervous – all the excitement and adrenaline, you never know how a show will end

once you get into the studio. It’s great fun!” Rumaitha agrees but admits that she doesn’t get as nervous anymore. “I do get a little jittery before the show but the moment I start speaking, it all goes away.” And it’s just not jitters that they have to worry about. Sayeh explains that being stuck in a room with a microphone is almost like having a conversation in your head where you have to imagine the responses of your listeners. Couple that with managing multiple electronic devices, and it’s enough to make anyone dizzy. Rumaitha adds, “One of the hardest challenges is that you always have to be in a good mood, even if you’re having an awful day.” As I talk to the girls, it becomes increasingly obvious that they love what they do. Sayeh admits that given a choice between television and radio, she’d pick the latter without batting an eyelid. “Radio is much more emotive and music is much more than entertainment, it’s something anyone can relate to.” Rumaitha echoes the same sentiments. “I was born in a house full of music so it is a very important part of my life. I listen to any kind, from opera to instrumental; basically anything that sounds nice and has meaningful lyrics.” Sayeh immediately quips, “We ‘merge’ all genres.” If Merge 104.8 is the sound of the new generation, then we can all safely assume that the future looks brilliant. Kudos, Rumaitha and Sayeh!


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ENTERPRISE

THE SPARKLES CAFÉ AND BEAUTY SPA CENTRE IS A PERFECT HANGOUT TO RELAX, SOCIALISE AND INDULGE IN SOME TLC, OVER A REFRESHING CUPPA AND HOMEMADE SNACKS…

SPARKLE & SHINE A

ll women need their ‘me-time’ and what better way to spend it than a relaxing hour or two at a spa, for some special TLC? Now if you combine the ‘wellness’ of a spa with a soothing cuppa and some interesting tidbits to munch on, what you have before you is a wonderful concept that fuses the two.

48 AUGUST 2011


Sparkles Café and Beauty Spa Centre cashes in on this very need for women to have a relaxing and fun time, all by themselves or with their gal pals. Whether it’s for a beauty treatment, a business meeting or to simply laze around, it provides the right kind of ambience to put your feet up, kick those heels off and relax. The café cum spa is the brainchild of Ahlam Al Sabahi and is the first-of-itskind in the Sultanate. Here, she tells Al Mar’a how the BIG idea struck her… THE INSPIRATION BEHIND MY VENTURE IS… I have been in the make-up field for a long-time and was well-known in the industry. I was quite in demand for weddings, television appearances, special occasions and events. I’d also like to say that I always followed by my own sense of style. THIS IS MY CALLING BECAUSE… I have always believed that the overall image of a person is very important as

it directly contributes to her well-being as well. You could say that I was the much-in-demand ‘beauty advisor for my family and friends. So I thought why not translate my talents into something more substantial and so, Sparkles was born. HERE’S HOW I SET IT UP… I first drew up a solid plan with the help of my family and friends. In fact, it was my husband’s unconditional support that helped me take the first steps forward. Sparkles had to be a special place for women, where she had to feel comfortable – an exclusive hangout where she could socialise or even work while being pampered by experts in the beauty field. My first task was to identify the location, hire experts in the field and get the right brands to be showcased. FACING HURDLES, OBSTACLES AND DIFFICULTIES… Every business comes with its own challenges. I did spend some time searching for the right location. Also I found that hiring an interior decorator would be expensive. And hence, I

decorated the space myself. Also, advertising was a costly proposition, so mostly people know about Sparkles simply through word-of-mouth. Also, I have used social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to great advantage to spread the word. THE FRUITS OF MY LABOUR ARE… To see my concept become so popular with women. The café is spacious with a comfortable seating area, and a retro atmosphere. It offers a choice of different fresh juices, hot beverages and a healthy sandwich menu. The centre also provides laptops with free WiFi to provide you with a suitable atmosphere to either work or socialise. The Beauty Spa Centre on the other hand, provides a range of beauty services from hair, body, skin to nails. GO AFTER YOUR DREAM BECAUSE… Though the concept of starting and running a business is difficult, you’d be surprised at how far you can go. Once you are into it, you’ll be aware of a special power that will drive you to new heights. (For more info, visit www.sparkles-oman.com)

AUGUST 2011 49


BEAUTY PLUS

HERE

COMES

THE

SUN! GUERLAIN HERALDS THE ARRIVAL OF SUMMER WITH AN EXTREMELY CHIC TERRACOTTA COLLECTION. HERE ARE TWO FABULOUS LOOKS THAT’LL MAKE YOU DAZZLE…

I

t’s an invitation to experience a stunning Technicolour voyage, a 100 per cent essential Terracotta getaway to Terra Inca, available in collector’s editions. With Ocean blue, flamboyant orange, ardent browns, it’s an ultra-trendy and absolutely fashionable Summer 2011 colour collection. The star of the collection, the Terra Inca powder embellishes the complexion and warms the skin with an iridescent glow. An ethnic print with multiple dimensions, the Terre Indigo powder eyeshadow reveals its intense colours like a preview of an exotic journey. Accompanied by a line of Khol Kajal, the eyes transform and become hypnotic, focused on new horizons. Succumb to a metallic temptation and highlight your eyes for a summer in complete freedom: Ombre Fusion adorns the eyes with radiance that resists water and stands up to any test. Your portable partner; Terracotta Gloss plays a sheer neo-neon look and goes everywhere you do to light up your smile and complexion. The spotlight’s on you this summer.

50 AUGUST 2011

Secret De Purete Cleansing Milk Abeille Royale Skin Care - Day Creme and Serum L’Or Radiance Concentrate Make-up Base Meteorites Fluid Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer Terra Skin (Blondes) Foundation No. 01 Terracotta Powder No. 01 Terra Inca Radiant Powder Ombre Terra Indigo 4 Shades Eyeshadow 4 Eclat - Lueur D’ Automne Blush No. 03 Eye Pencil Khol Me Bronze No. 02 Terracotta Khol Mirage No. 06 Le 2 Noire – Mascara Terra Inca Gloss No. 02 Kiss Kiss Strass No. 340


Secret De Purete Cleansing Milk Abeille Royale Skin Care - Day Creme and Serum L’Or Radiance Concentrate Make-up Base Meteorites Fluid Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer Lingerie De Peau Foundation in No. 23 Les Voilettes face powder No. 4 Ombre Fusion EyeShadows in colours 01-Bahia-Pale Pink 02-Havana- Captivating Bronze 03-Maya- Intense Copper 4 Eclat - Soleil Couchant Blush No.02 Terracotta Khol Kajal -Black Frida No.1 Le 2 Noire – Mascara Rose De Mai Lip Pencil No. 63 Rouge G No. 41 (Make-up artist: Gary Cooper: Guerlain regional makeup Artist, Member of the International Art Team.)


BEAUTY ZONE

YOUR BEAUTY CHECKLIST…

BE RADIANT

Guerlain expands its Secret de Purete cleansing line with the revolutionary Cleansing Radiance Gel. The Crystal Lotus Flower Complex, the common feature of the Secret de Pureté line, delivers performance for dazzling cleansing. It helps to gently remove impurities and dead skin cells that block the skin’s pores. Moreover, it notably has the power to help energise and smooth features, while safeguarding the skin’s hydration, often diminished during cleansing.

NAIL FILE

Here comes nail enamel that can last up to 10 days! And no, it’s not magic. It’s a technical triumph. Bourjois introduces the 10 days Nail Enamel that gives nail perfect colour and hold up for up to 10 days, with an invisible touch-up. Nails are twice as strong and chip-resistant with a luminous and subtly pearl finish. Nice, eh?

SIGNATURE STUFF

52 AUGUST 2011

From haute couturier Elie Saab comes Le Parfum, the first fragrance from the fashion house. Composed as an ode to light, ELIE SAAB Le Parfum celebrates the splendour and the brilliance of radiant femininity with a floral solar woody theme. The permanent exchange between flowers and wood is what gives the fragrance such captivating resonance. Go, get it!


FLOWER POWER

From the L’Occitane Peony Collection comes the Duo Eyeshadow. The eyeshadow has a secret power. As if by magic, it can create a third, unexpected shade. Simply blend together the two colours on the back of your hand and see your duo transform into a trio!

SMOKIN’ HOT

EYES RIGHT

Backed by its expertise and a new understanding of the mechanisms involved in the ageing process of the eye contour area, Dior Science inspires from its major age-defying feat – One Essential – and adapts it to the most delicate, most fragile but also the most complex area of the face: the eye zone. It is an unprecedented, targeted and tailor-made response to the different signs of ageing and fatigue (wrinkles and fine lines, puffiness and dark circles, etc.) that diminish the freshness, radiance and youthfulness of the most beautiful eyes.

PHOTO FINISH

Stand up to harsh unflattering light with Revlon PhotoReady™ Concealer, the newest addition to Revlon’s successful PhotoReady™ line. How does it work? Revlon PhotoReady™ Concealer contains photo-chromatic pigments that bend, reflect and diffuse light to leave you with an airbrushed finish. The concealer stands up against harsh, unflattering light through the diffusing formula while also providing complete yet virtually undetectable coverage.

MAKE UP FOR EVER reveals the latest trend in the fashion world with the launch of its Aqua Liner, a range of high precision waterproof liquid eyeliners which had been spotted on the catwalks of many International Fashion Shows. Available in 15 highly pigmented colours with three finishes: Matte, Iridescent or Diamond, Aqua Liner is designed to offer you the look you desire for this season! It features an ergonomic applicator which makes it easy for you to draw an ultra-precise and adjustable line for your look. You can apply it in layers or separately to create the simplest lash-hugging line to the most excessive artistic makeup.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

The new dazzle in the make-up scene is Semi-Precious. M.A.C introduces the Semi-Precious collection where four finely milled gems – bronzite, black tourmaline, gold pyriate, and lilac lepidolite – bring their own earthy and spiritual affluence to three key elements of the mineralise collection: eyeshadows, skinfinish, and blush. Setting them off: a collection of colour, two mineralise skincare formulas, and four new limited-life split fibre brushes. Like everything this precious, these elements start off rare, and tend to get rarer… get rich while you can!


KID’SDRIVE TOP PLAY

‘JETTA’, SET, GO! OUR CAR OF THE MONTH IS THE ALL-NEW VOLKSWAGEN JETTA THAT HAS TAKEN THE MARKET BY STORM. HERE’S WHY...

54 AUGUST 2011


W

hen it comes to cars, contrary to popular perception, women do not just look at the whole buying proposition from the ‘goodlooking’ angle! Of course, we’d like our cars to be good-looking and make heads turn on the roads, but that’s not the only criterion. Our list actually runs a mile long but for the long and short of it, let’s limit to stylish, sleek, comfortable, spacious and safe! Yes, that’s what we mostly look for in a car… and that’s what we like to get. The all-new Volkswagen Jetta 2011 has all this and more. To begin with, it’s the largest Jetta of all time, that puts an end to problems due to lack of space. How? Well, it provides plenty of headroom and legroom for all passengers and room for their luggage. That was our first take on opening the door of the new Jetta for a peek inside. For, a comfortable car helps you drive with ease, during traffic snarls and long commutes. This one looked very spacious indeed. Forgive us if we say, we looked at the exteriors later. For, we already knew that the Jetta was a lovely-looking car. It has

a sporty silhouette and well-proportional lateral lines that give it an irresistible look. You can see that there is careful attention to design detail with little touches that exude a very stylish feel to the car. Seated inside, we could once again feel the spaciousness of the cabin all over. The seats are more than comfortable and the Jetta Comfortline Equipment version has deluxe seats with ‘Sienna’ cloth upholstery, manual adjustment for front seats and a perfect complement to the leather-convered 3-spoke multifunctional steering wheel, the gear lever and handbrake lever grip. And there’s a lot more to the interior that makes the new Jetta an exceptional car in its class. In the mood for some music? Enjoy a superb audio experience with the optional RCD 510 radio system. Included features are MP3 playback, eight speakers with a 4 x 20 watt output. In addition to a 6-disc CD changer and an SD card slot, the RCD 510 also boasts a large multicolour TFT display for operating the system. Helping you to settle into your comfort zone, is also the ‘Climatronic’ airconditioning system, where you can change from one pleasant climate zone

to another at the touch of the button. The temperature is electronically controlled, and separate settings can be programmed for each side of the car. Cool, eh? All other functions are also conveniently close to hand. The leather-covered multifunction steering wheel is exceptionally user-friendly. It has buttons for easy operation of a radio and multi-function display. You will also dig the ‘keyless access’ locking and starting system. The very best in comfort also combines with the best in engineering to give you a world-class car. The high performance 2.0 litre engine makes city driving a breeze. The new Jetta also makes no compromises when it comes to safety. There are front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger and curtain airbags for the first and second row of seats provide optimum protection. Moreover, the ParkPilot feature gives acoustic signals to warn you of obstacles when parking. A car is not just a vehicle to drive you from point A to point B. The new Volkswagen Jetta proves that it’s not just a great car but a woman’s best friend as well. Reliable, dependable and totally trustworthy!

AUGUST 2011 55


HEALTH PLUS

Have all your gynaecological queries answered by Dr. Smita Lulla — MBBS, M.D, D.G.O. (Gold Medallist), Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Qurum Clinic, Muscat. The veteran doctor has had advanced training in the UK in Obstetric & Gynaecological Ultra-sonography & Infertility.

YOUR HEALTH Q. My sister is 35 years old and married for the past 18 months. She is on Eltroxin for the last one year. She is very eager to start a family and is under a lot of stress. Her gynecologist has prescribed Cabgolin .25mg for seven days, Letrozolr 2.5mg for five days, Wysolone 2.5mg for 10 days starting from the first or second day of her period. On the 14th day, she has been prescribed Duphaston for 14 days for three months. But we are worried about the number of medicines she has to take. She has regular periods and an ultrasound taken a year before shows everything as normal. A. First of all, she must try and get pregnant soon as she is already 35 years old. She must do an ultrasound every cycle on the 11th day of the period and check whether she is ovulating or not and which is her fertile period. If she is not ovulating, she would require Clomid or Letreozole tablets in the next cycle. The scan must be repeated till her follicle is 18-20 mm. She must start Duphaston only two days after that. What is her husband’s semen report? Have her tubes been checked? Is her prolactin hormone high? If yes, she would require Cabgolin. Let me know all these results, so I can advise you further. Q. I recently had a miscarriage. I had my tube test HSG and all blood tests done. The reports are

normal. Only prolactic test shows 36.4. I have only one tube. I went for a scan and found that eggs were formed only on the left side. I take Metaphage and Folic acid tablets daily. I took Clomid for five days. I want to know whether I can conceive normally. A. Sorry to hear about your miscarriage. You would need medication for your high prolactin like cabergolin. Check with your doctor about it. Repeat the prolactin test after four weeks. You must do a scan every month to determine which month the follicle is growing on the right side and try to conceive then. I would suggest that you try IUI (intra-uterine insemination) when the follicle is on the right side to increase your chances of conception. I presume your husband’s semen reports are normal. All the best! Q. We have been trying to have a baby since last November. My cycle is 31 days. I took a blood test that showed negative. I also had an ultrasound scan that showed a hormonal problem. I take tablets for it. What could be the problem. A: An ultrasound would not determine whether you have a hormonal problem or not. I presume you had PCO (polycystic ovaries) which results in hormonal problems and irregular periods. Have the following hormones checked on the 2nd day of the

period: FSH, LH, TSH, Prolactin and let me know the results. Have a scan done on day 12 of the period to determine whether you are ovulating or not. If not, you would require some medication like Clomid during the next cycle. Q. I had a myomectomy and ovarian drilling in January. After three months, my doctor told me that I could try to conceive. After this, bleeding occurred and my doctor has given me medicines to stop it. What are my chances of becoming pregnant? A. I presume your bleeding has stopped by now. If not you must see your doctor regarding that. If your tubes are patent and you are ovulating, even with medication, you should conceive. Neither myomectomy nor ovarian drilling will help you conceive if the other factors are not favourable. The procedures may increase your chances of conception and reduce your chance of miscarriage. Q. I am four weeks pregnant. My blood levels are 60.9. I had a tubal reversal and I am really concerned about a tubal pregnancy. Are the levels good enough to be out of the woods? A. You may know by now whether you have an ectopic pregnancy or not. A single HCG cannot predict an ectopic. A repeat value together with an ultrasound at five weeks can confirm the diagnosis.

Find more questions and answers fielded by Dr. Smita Lulla at www.omanaccess.com

56 AUGUST 2011


BEAUTY BUZZ

A

ll of us have suffered from acne at one time or the other. We have despaired, cried and pondered over it.

What is acne? It is actually a skin condition that causes whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red growths (papules, pustules, and cysts) to form. These growths are commonly called pimples or ‘zits.’

There are several ways in which acne and its resulting effects can be treated, says Dr. Fatma O. Ali, CEO, Emirates Medical Centre

Before we delve further into how acne can be treated, it is important to know how acne forms. The causes of acne are linked to the changes that take place as we mature from childhood to adolescence (puberty). The hormones that cause physical maturity also cause the sebaceous glands of the skin to produce more sebum (oil). The hormones with the greatest effect on sebaceous glands are androgens (male hormones), that are present in both the sexes, but in higher amounts in men. In addition, normal skin bacteria called P. acnes, begins to multiply

rapidly in the clogged hair follicle. In the process, these bacteria produce irritating substances that can cause inflammation. Sometimes, the wall of the follicle bursts, spreading inflammation to the surrounding skin. This is the process by which acne lesions, from blackheads to pimples to nodules, are formed. How can acne scars be treated? Women suffering from acne scars always ask whether it is better to leave the scars as they are or start treatment. Many have the wrong perception that acne scars will resolve naturally. We should be aware that failure to treat the scars may make them permanent. It is true that acne affects many women in our society. The problem may have its impact on the social relations, self-trust and may also lead to stress. There is no one treatment that fits everyone. There are many treatments that may make the scar look better and reduce its size. We have a treatment programme that use five techniques that have proved to be efficient. CRYSTAL PEEL: It is one of the new treatment methods for superficial acne. The device hits the surface of the skin with crystal balls. This leads to regeneration of new cells and promotes the production of collagen. It also stimulates the skin cells. The doctor will decide the number of sessions needed for every patient.

on the face after the healing of the scar means that there is cirrhosis underneath. These holes remain under the skin in place of collagen. The fibres drag the skin inwards therefore they look like holes. The fibres are removed with a simple procedure called ‘subsection’ or release of scar. AFFIRM LASER: Laser rays heat the epidermis to stimulate the production of collagen, the filling that fill the scars. The doctor may need a number of sessions to achieve favourable results. FILLERS: Some severe cases may not respond to the previous treatment, therefore injecting materials such as Restylane and Radiesse under the scar may improve its appearance. The procedure may be repeated several times. CHEMICAL PEEL: With this technology, an acid solution is applied on the skin to help the skin get rid of dead cells. The technology also stimulates the production of new cells that ensure good skin traction and tightening of the skin pores. The technology is also used to restore skin vitality and lustre. To select the best treatment, you should consult a dermatologist. The earlier you start the treatment; the better will be the results. Do not despair, if it’s acne, there’s hope yet! Here’s to great and beautiful looking skin always.

RELEASE OF CIRRHOSIS TO REMOVE SCAR: Having holes

ALL ABOUT ACNE AUGUST 2011 57


THE POWER OF HEALING

LIFE, ETC

THE ANCIENT HAWAIIN METHOD OF HEALING, HO’OPONOPONO HELPS YOU ACHIEVE A POSITIVE OUTLOOK TOWARDS LIFE, SAYS DR. NADA AL AJMI

A

(Dr Nada Al Ajmi is Assistant Professor, Sultan Qaboos University, Certified Trainer – Springboard Women’s Development and Life Coach – Aspire Training and Consultancy. You can write to her at life-almara@umsoman.com)

58 AUGUST 2011

s I was looking at different success stories, I noticed that all their heroes had a source of energy which made them disciplined and focused to work towards their goals. But I realised that there are two kinds of energies; an energy that comes out of anger, competition, proving points, and bitterness, and another energy that comes out of inner peace, serenity, and love. Beware of the former, since success that is a result of anger and competition deprives you of the joy of achieving your goal and at the same time, drains you and makes it next to impossible to maintain results. Hence for achieving happiness and success, it is important to heal your life, and that starts by healing yourself. The problem is that most of our thoughts are centred on painful memories that can always trigger negative energy. Here, I would like to share with you an ancient Hawaiian method of healing called Ho’oponopono, which is a process of letting go of toxic energies within you to allow the

impact of divine thoughts to enter your life. It offers a way to release the energy of painful thoughts or errors which cause imbalance or ailment in your life. Ho’oponopono is a very fine and sophisticated concept yet simple in practice and implication. It builds on the idea that you have to take complete responsibility of the experiences that come across your path in life, and in order to change them to the better, you have to change yourself from within by connecting to the Divine (God). Ho’oponopono offers you a variety of ways to clean your subconscious from the negative energies. For example, repeating constantly phrases such as ‘I love you’, ‘I am sorry’, ‘thank you’ work as a cleansing method to start the process of forgiveness, repentance, and transformation, and you can think of God while repeating these phrases. When I was reading about this method, I was not sure how this heals someone from within! Then I came across Joe Vitale’s explanation

of Ho’oponopono, and I could see that this method is based on forgiveness. What blocks our wellbeing is nothing but the lack of love and forgiveness. Ho’oponopono is based on the idea that if you take full responsibility for the experiences that come in your life, then you are even responsible for the people who enter your life along with their problems. Although what happens in your life might not be your fault but it’s your responsibility. Once you accept this, you can transform yourself and so the rest of the world can change too. When you spot something in people that you don’t like, you have it in yourself too. According to Ho’oponopono, your job is to clean it, and as you do clean yourself, it will leave the other person too and eventually the world. In my next article I will get into more details of how Ho’oponopono works. Until then keep cleansing and repeat ‘I love you’, ‘I am sorry’, ‘thank you’.



REVIEWS

read

NOW YOU SEE HER by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge Nina Bloom is a successful lawyer and loving mother. She would do anything to protect the life she’s built in New York – including lying to everyone, even her daughter, about her past. But when an innocent man is framed for murder, she knows that she can’t let him pay for the real killer’s crimes. Another gripping thriller… you’ll be sure to enjoy!

UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War. A World War story like no other!

BOOKS, MOVIES AND MORE...

surf

WWW.GUTENBERG.NET Project Gutenberg presents a collection of over 15,000 electronic books available for free download! Most are older literary works in the public domain, many of the considered classics. Get introduced to books on topics you thought never existed! WWW.DESIGNMOM.COM Interior designer Gabrielle Blair’s website is all about how design meets motherhood and shows that somehow you can have the best of all worlds – a big family and creative flair. Check out all the posts on different things and you’ll wonder how this mom of six does it all. What’s that they say? Multi-tasking??? 60 AUGUST 2011

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HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – Part II The final chapter begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue their quest of finding and destroying the Dark Lord’s three remaining Horcruxes, the magical items responsible for his immortality. But as the mystical Deathly Hallows are uncovered, and Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again. The much-awaited final part is here!

TRANSFORMERS 3 The interstellar war between the Autobots and Decepticons shifts onto overdrive following the discovery of Sentinel Prime (voice of Leonard Nemoy) in this sequel from director Michael Bay. When the Apollo 11 astronauts discover the wrecked remains of Sentinel Prime on the surface of our natural satellite, they bring him back to planet Earth. What happens next? Watch the movie for more.

BORN THIS WAY by Lady Gaga French, German, Spanish and whatever language that Lady Gaga claims ‘punk-tious’ forms the life of this album. It abundantly echoes the 1980s with a lot of piano sounds with the power ballad ‘You and I’ raises your spirits. The other sings are definitely teeny-bopper types, but you can’t help but admire the lady’s guts… at the choices she makes.

TEENAGE DREAM by Katy Perry The album is blow hot; blow cold – a pop product that kind of flunks in places. But there are thought-provoking songs like ‘Who Am I Living For’ that makes the album worth buying. The title track, ‘Teenage Dream’ is just about okay and so are the others! You won’t miss this one too much, but if you’re the adventurous kind, we’d say, please go for it!

listen



FASHION

Trendy &

Traditional

Designer Khadija Al Lamki of Kawashi gives the traditional abaya a modern twist with stylish cuts, signature silks and scintillating Eastern embroidery. The collection showcased at Muscat Fashion Week 2011 is totally out-of-this-world and what we call abaya chic!

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ATHOME

Reduce, recycle, reuse… that’s the way to be in today’s world. Here are a few tips that will help you make all the difference and contribute to a green world! • Reduce your organic waste at home by composting your fruit and vegetable scraps, lawn clippings, papers, straw, teabags and coffee grinds. • Donate your old computers, unwanted toys, slightly used clothing, books and school supplies that you no longer use to charitable organisations and communities. • Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot. • Turn off lights when you leave the room. • Drive the speed limit, and combine all the errands for the week in one trip.

Use toilet paper that is made from recycled content.

EASY LIVING

Do share your fine housekeeping and personal grooming skills with other Al Mar’a readers. Write in to Al Mar’a, At Home, United Media Services, P.O. Box: 3305, Ruwi 112, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman or email us at almara@umsoman.com, Subject: At Home or fax us at 24707939. Do give us your name, address and GSM number.

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• There are some heavy-duty paper plates that are washable. Look for a set at the nearby supermarket. • Use a non-aerosol shaving cream and deodorant. • Purchase only recycled paper and office supplies. • Use scrap paper to take down notes and telephone messages. • Print or copy your documents on two sides so that you use half as much paper. • Send an e-mail whenever you can, as opposed to writing a letter. It’s quicker and maybe more reliable too. • Install a showerhead that conserves water to the maximum. • Buy only things that are necessary and as much as possible, avoid impulse buying of those items you rarely use. • Share magazines and newspapers with your family, friends and neighbours to save trees. • Donate your old books and magazines to your local library. • Try and buy goods in refill packs or containers to cut down on packaging. • Buy green products made from organic and recyclable materials. Look for items that have the ‘recycled’ symbols on its packaging. • Use cloth napkins daily, instead of paper. • Lower the temperature onn your hot water heater. • If you use disposal cups during a party, limit the number of cups you use by providing a way for your our guests to identify their cup up so that they don’t use too many. any.

• Don’t turn on lights at all for as long as you can — open your curtains and enjoy natural light.

How to travel green • Try to pack as few, and the lightest things that you need, in as few bags as possible. Not only will this save you the effort of carrying an extra bag, but it will also help to reduce the amount of fuel required to carry the weight of the bags. • If you’re travelling long distances, try to take a bus wherever you can and especially when you travel abroad, you can try taking the train rather than flying to different destinations. If you plan a long road trip, consider renting a small car instead of a large SUV to minimise using gas. • If you can, book a hotel that is within walking distance of your intended destinations. Renting a bike could allow you to go a little further than would otherwise be possible with just walking. Or, try to book a hotel close to a hub of public transportation, allowing you to travel the city or town as freely as possible. • If you have to fly, pick a green airline, those that have tried to green the skies by increasing fuel efficiency, recycling, etc. • Instead of asking for a paper ticket, ask for an electronic ticket. This saves up on paper and cost of printing the ticket. • Try spending your holidays in an eco-lodge or green hotel. • Keep your showers short, and while leaving the room, switch off the air-conditoners. • Reuse your sheets and towels instead of having them changed every day. Many hotels will not replace your towels if you leave them hanging up neatly; if you’re not sure, write a note for the housekeeping staff or notify the front desk. • Bring your own toiletries and drinking cup rather than using the prepackaged ones provided. If you do use the hotel’s toiletries, take them with you and use them at home or during the rest of your trip. • Know your hotel’s recycling program and sort your trash accordingly. If your hotel doesn’t recycle, consider taking your empty bottles or other items home with you to recycle them there.


STARGAZING

ARIES: Dear Aries, your outlook towards life seems to be undergoing a transition. Don’t try to resist it, because it is sure to bring some positive changes in your life. Don’t think too much about the past; what’s done is done. And remember, we can’t control everything, but can control our responses to what happens.

What the

stars

TAURUS: This is a good time to think of a residential move. Whether you are planning to buy, rent or sell, this is a favourable month to do so. If renovation work or regular repairs around the house have been on our to-do list, then go right ahead instead of leaving it for later. You’ll be happy with the results.

foretell...

GEMINI: This month you have a ton of energy to get things done. You’re full of action and assertion, so it does no good to sit back and wait for others to open doors for you. You have the impetus and tools to get where you need to be. Talk yourself up without being too arrogant or self-conscious about it; it’s time people started noticing you. CANCER: The month begins on a positive note, dear Cancer. You are in an excellent place, both mentally and physically, and you should enjoy every moment of it. If you haven’t planned a dinner party in a while, then it’s high time you threw one together. Casual is fine! Call up your friends and enjoy a great evening reconnecting. LEO: The interplay of planetary energies puts you at odds with your partner and may mean that neither of you are certain about what to expect next. All you need to do now is enjoy your differences of opinion and the diversity of interests you have. You will begin to see your partner in a new light and is sure to put a spark back into your relationship. VIRGO: This month, think out of the box when it comes to your career. Why not make your passion your vocation, after all? Lean on family or friends if

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you feel like you need help finding your new direction. They are bound to have helpful advice. You’ve been thinking for far too long now, it’s time to take that leap of faith, Virgo. LIBRA: You may feel like you have a split personality, thanks to the astral alignments this month. One part of you may want to deal with a certain issue in one way, whilst another part of you has all kinds of fears and emotions about tackling it at all. You need to examine your feelings closely to see exactly what they may be trying to tell you. SCORPIO: As the month starts, it is definitely time for some super deep self-reflection for you. Are you happy? Are you unhappy? If you’re in a situation that isn’t working for you, why are you in it? Be honest. Be forthcoming. After all, even if you draw on counsel from

friends and family, in the end only you can make these crucial decisions. SAGITTARIUS: You may have to work at communication with your partner this month. Take time to discuss any issues that you have. Planets in Cancer will bring out your sensitivity and will inspire you to help someone by lending money or giving support. Overall, a very smooth month for you, Sagittarius but make sure you keep your expenditure in check. CAPRICORN: This month can bring wonderful expansion and prosperity for you if you are willing to compromise and work with others - something that shouldn’t be too difficult for you. Keep your eye open to what’s around you instead of staying locked on one matter only. It is also a favourable time to forge new friendships – at work or at social

settings. AQUARIUS: Your planning skills are better than ever, so pitch in and help organise an event. Use the flash of inspiration to open doors and meet new people; anything that can help you to expand your range of possibilities. Make sure that your energy is open to new ventures. Chance meetings will open up new horizons. PISCES: It is a busy month for you but don’t forget that you need to be vigilant about taking care of yourself. Someone might try to overstep your boundaries, and you need to be strong enough to say ‘absolutely not.’ You are in for some seriously wonderful news and developments towards the end of the month. With so many things happening around you, it’s of little wonder why staying fit is so important.



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