JAN 9 – 15 • ISSUE 252 • WEEKLY
Allah’s Call MUSLIM REVERTS REVEAL ALL
Fantastic Fossils / Flamingoes In Flight What’s On Guide / A Geely Drive Free! Lush Salalah / Office Gadgets EVERY THURSDAY
Dreaming 15
OMAN ON FILM: Muscat to Mumbai
NOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR
ASTUTE ART? Surviving office politics by instinct SOUQ & FIND: Trinket hunting in traditional markets
Your top guide to the best of Oman, every week
AUGUST 22 – 28 • ISSUE 283 • WEEKLY
of a better Oman
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s visions of a brighter future
PLUS!
Feature
SUN CHASERS
01
NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258
Fashion
24
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Food
34
FISHY FINDS
28
TREND BAROMETER
GOING UP
BENTLEY BAGS On a scale of one to statement piece, most new branded bag lines miss the mark and hit the sad sack list – especially if they don’t belong to one of the haute fashion houses of Europe. So imagine our surprise to discover Bentley’s new collection of lust-worthy totes. Sleek, structured and oozing class, they have as much va-va-voom as the car – well, almost! FACEBOOK CARDS Still using traditional business cards? Get with the programme because e-socialites are now branding themselves offline with printed versions of their Facebook profiles.
EDITOR’S
NOTE
Welcome to the new look Y Magazine your indispensable guide to everything modern Oman has to offer.
Fast forward
I GOING DOWN
BBQs Traditional stone cooking is still hot in Salalah, with modern carnivores claiming that the stone oven is a better way of grilling-up goat meat than the barbecue. BLAMESTORMING Meetings to find a scapegoat – apparently they exist and are a sad indictment on corporate life.
THIS WEEK…
have a dream that one day women will walk shoulder to shoulder with men in all spheres of life. I have a dream that poverty, disease and environmental destruction will come to an end. I dream of world peace - and no, I’m not practicing my monologue for Miss World, complete with pout and flicking hair, but rather I’m celebrating one of the most powerful political speeches in history. In this issue we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King’s memorable address – the one where he hoped that children, including his own, would not be judged by the colour of their skin but by their unique character. His words made a difference. They made people think. They inspired change. And so will yours. That’s why in this issue, we asked a panel of Omani people to reveal their dreams of a better future. What are yours? Write to me at editor@y-oman.com or tweet @ytabloid. The best letter will be printed on our correspondence page and win a RO20 voucher for Radisson Park Inn Muscat.
Team Y has been celebrating yet another team birthday, moving house, relaxing at the Shangri-La spa and swooning over Left Bank’s sticky toffee pudding.
Penny Fray MANAGING EDITOR editor@y-oman.com
EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi
Ways to get your Y fix Online: Visit y-oman.com for even more inspiration. Smart device: Catch up with Y on the go at y-oman.com/current-issue
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Eihab Abutaha MANAGING EDITOR Penny Fray SECTIONS EDITOR Kate Ginn
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PAGE EDITOR Joe Gill PHOTOGRAPHER Jerzy Wierzbicki ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan
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Y Magazine is published by SABCO Press, Publishing & Advertising LLC /Y is a SABCO Media product. We’d love to hear your news and views. For editorial enquiries, please email info@y-oman.com
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Write to us at Y Magazine, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman.
AUG 22 – 28 / ISSUE 283
03
contents AUGUST 22 2013
Your Oman
06 The Big Interview Maj Gen Lungile Chris Pepani 08 Your Oman What Mums Need 10 News Binning Plastic Bags
10
Features
16 Dreams of Oman Visions of the Future 20 A Leap of Faith Becoming a Muslim 23 Gallery Darbat Valley 24 Equator Quest The Sun Chasers
20
This Week 12 14
This Week TED Talk in Salalah Movie Listings Wolverine 3D
Food & Drink
28 Catch of the Day Fruits de la Mer 32 New: The Foodie Files Shangri-La Sous Chef
Cars & Outdoors
12 Health & Beauty
32
34 Fashion Dress for Success 36 Shopping Stylish Stones
37 South Al Huqf Layers of Time 40 Indoors Children’s Museum 42 Postcard Singapore Swing 44 Y-Fi Back to Work 46 Car of the Week Geely Emgrand 8
44
36
NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE... THE DIGITAL DETOX / CHOUX TIME / CHILLAXING AT CHI / 50 SHADES OF GREY
In The
PINK
Jerzy Wierzbicki captures flamingoes in flight in Dhofar
M
ention the word ‘flamingo’ and many of us will think of the infamous Las Vegas hotel. But these amazing birds are a million miles away from the bright lights of the Nevada Strip. Instead, they were spotted nearer to home, in a lagoon between Sadh and Habdin in Dhofar. “The picture was taken early afternoon with a telephoto lens,” says Y photographer Jerzy Wierzbicki. “I managed to capture them quite close up by approaching the water very slowly whilst frantically clicking away on my camera. I took about 70 shots in less than an hour.” A type of wading bird from the genus phoenicopterus, meaning purple wing, flamingoes were once considered by ancient Egyptians to be the living representation of Ra, the solar deity. These days, they’re just magnificent creatures to behold thanks to their elegant silhouette and bright coral colouring.
AUG 22 – 28 / ISSUE 283
05
YOUR
News
Gallery
INTERVIEW
OMAN
IN GOOD COMPANY Maj o r G eneral Lungil e Chris P epani, S outh African A m bassador to O m an
Words: Penny Fray Image: Jerzy Wierzbicki
Run through your career in 60 seconds or less: It’s difficult for a South African like myself to answer this in terms of where we’ve come from. But I’ve been in Government for nearly 20 years and was involved with the country’s freedom. I’m a person who is multi-skilled and multicareered. I worked in the Department of Defense from 1994 to 2002 before becoming involved with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. South Africa has had a turbulent history but now has one of the largest economies in the world. Did you ever think that would happen? I’ve always been an optimist. I always knew that South Africa, whether I was alive or not, would be where it is today and that the people of South Africa would achieve their freedom and independence. Has Africa’s past moulded you as an ambassador? Yes, of course. But what’s important for us all is to establish and develop relations as well as creating an environment that is conducive to enhancing economic and political connections. No ambassador will be successful by purely flying their country’s flag. We live in a world of modernity and modern diplomacy. Our role is to help create jobs and assist investment. We are here to open the gates of business to the mutual benefit of Oman and South Africa. How has Nelson Mandela influenced your personal and professional philosophy? We’re very fortunate in South Africa to have such a charismatic, inspirational and visionary leader through the example of Mandela. He’s contributed much but remains modest, saying that he is the people’s servant. He taught us that whatever the conflict, there must be unity and conciliation to build a nation. This is an amazing story and something that we can share with others. Does your role come with any challenges? My personal weakness is that I’ve never been able to master languages. I should be able by now to speak a bit of Arabic and Portuguese. What’s your personal philosophy? It is something called Ubuntu, which roughly means ‘I am because you are.’ It underscores the value of sharing, cooperation, solidarity and empathising with others. I also believe in hard work and perseverance but not without fairness and justice. I loathe mediocrity yet I don’t think we can adhere to the values of survival of the fittest. We need each other. How do you relax? I like to watch good movies and sports – we’re a big sporting nation in South Africa. I also like to listen to music and read. A book that I’ve just finished this weekend is Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. If you could achieve anything, what would it be? Stories of children being abused and failed by institutions move me. We should be able to protect life. I think of those who go to sleep without food or a glass of milk and haven’t received an education, and consider how the money of just the top ten people in Forbes could help millions and millions of children. In short, I’d like to create a better world.
06
AUG 22 – 28 / ISSUE 283
3 TIPS ON DIPLOMACY
1. To communicate well 2. To be well read 3. To be a good negotiator
The Voice of Oman
Karima Farid on the trials and tribulations of being a working mum
correspondence Let Oman be green all the time
F
or any working mother, finding a ‘someone’ substitute to care for your child while you’re at the office is a mission. In my case, I have a loving family to look after my beautiful baby girl. But what happens when they’re not available? Utter panic, that’s what. When you are a mum, plan A and B is never enough. You need to expect the unexpected and have more strategic solutions up your sleeve than a military commander. Let’s be honest here, working mums don’t have it easy, despite the rhetoric to the contrary. Not only do they have to overcome the limitations of maternity leave and the loaded judgements that come with wanting a career – but they also have to find a nursery that’s best for both themselves and the child lest they hit the ‘nappy ceiling’. Perhaps it’s time that employers recognise that women do families differently from 50 years ago and move with the times. That means extending maternity leave, offering more part-time jobs, giving home working options and opening company nurseries. Omantel set one up for its female workers and more power to them for being so forward thinking. Studies prove that businesses that fully tap into the women in their workforce are among the most successful because they benefit from a greater diversity of talents and perspectives. That’s why I’d like to take this opportunity to salute every female who manages to care for her baby, home and self. It’s a challenge that many don’t acknowledge and should.
Next week: Rumaitha Al Busaidi returns
08
AUG 22 – 28 / ISSUE 283
Eid gatherings with families and friends, in beaches and parks, were a delightful sight. But later on, what remains? In many cases, just their left-out trash. Who cares enough to take it back home or toss it to the waste bin? Yes, we love beautiful Oman but the ‘salaried-greenuniformed sunbakedskin’ brothers must come to collect the rubbish. Is that right? The lengthy beaches, highways, street alleys and car parks are their unroofed, non-air-conditioned ‘office’ premises; the shade offered by buildings and trees is where
they spend their breaks. Be in their shoes – any takers? Ring a bell – ‘for whatsoever you do to share in the burden of the least of my brothers, that you do unto Him!’ Arise, take part in Muscat Municipality’s allout anti-littering campaign. The red flags of global warming are soaring high. Let us just try a little to help our brothers – it is great for the soul and for our Mother Earth. Are you with me? E. Abon Soriano Muscat
Big trucks ignore the signs Dear Editor I am a resident in the Ruwi Mumtaz area, Way# 3358, Muscat. Although the signboard in the attached picture, fixed on the roadside, clearly says ‘Trucks Over Ten Tonnes Not To Use This Road’, drivers routinely ignore it. On a daily basis I notice that many vehicles over ten tonnes pass through this road. This probably causes severe damage to the road and, as a result, various patches can be seen. Also, it’s a residential area. Heavy vehicles can potentially hurt both the people and children walking on the footpath.
WRITE TO US AND WIN A VOUCHER
I request that the concerned authorities take immediate action and also for the drivers of heavy vehicles to avoid using this road. M. Kashif Bilal Jibroo, Sultanate of Oman
Dinner For Tw o
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YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT TO US
LETTERS
Debate of the Week WE ASKED:
‘After Ramadan and Eid, have you made any personal resolutions?’ Irwin Serso Rio
To be honest, I wasn’t born a Muslim, but it doesn’t mean I don’t have personal resolutions. Being surrounded by a Muslim community, I embrace not only their culture but their tradition as well, and part of that was observing the Ramadan and Eid seasons. As my personal resolution, I always keep it simple: to live each day of my life bound with the rule of ‘do what is good and right’. As a human being, a blunder is something I cannot avoid, but I make sure that I repent and pray for forgiveness for whatever it was I’ve done wrong. Resolutions should not be made only during special occasions, but should be something we keep in our hearts and promise to follow each day of our lives.
Jorim Eliezer Getigan
My personal resolution is to be more sensitive to the feelings of others and to be able to share what I have, as simple as it is, with less fortunate people.
E-MAILS
FA C E B O O K
Next week’s debate:
Reports suggest road fuel subsidies could be reduced and funds targeted on low-income groups. Is this a good idea? Tell us what you think on Facebook.
Ateef Dafedar
We must keep praying Namaz – it keeps our mind and soul pure and fresh.
Sherrin Finoj
My personal resolution is to live a life by thinking about people who are poorer than us, so that we are really able to find happiness in the small things, and we will also be more minded to help others.
SK Rupchand
I would like to sleep on time every night and avoid staying up late reading or watching television. That would enable me to get a good night’s sleep of eight hours. It would also enable me to get up on time and start for work early and thus avoid getting caught in the daily morning rush-hour traffic jams.
WhatsApp and ‘What lies beneath’ Dear Editor WhatsApp has swept the world. What will we do if it gets banned? People have become addicted to it. At work or at home, it is a distraction. In 2009, two guys from Silicon Valley came up with this great invention. What a success – to be connected with your loved ones and friends. Now there is no looking back to the old way of being connected. ‘What Lies Beneath’ was superb. I had heard about the spill and thought that all means were used to prevent it spreading. But after reading the article, the truth is out. The bottom of the sea must be slowly getting polluted, killing the marine life. The Ministry of Environment has to look into this matter urgently as it will be the village people of Sifah who will have to bear the brunt later.
I'm a reader
Rishikesh Chidhambaranathan
I have taken a resolution to forgive my enemies and those who cheated me, so that I will never have regrets in my life.
Shyam Karani
I have resolved to be more cheerful, smile often, and be less moody/depressed. I would like to be more patient and a better listener to others. In fact, I would like to become a better person in all respects.
Ms GARCIA
was spotted reading Y in Al Bustan Palace THIS IS YOUR PAGE!
Just send us your picture with the free Y magazine or pose with our photographer and we will publish it on this page Send it to: info@y-oman.com
Best wishes , Vijayalakshmi R Shetty Muscat
AUG 22 – 28 / ISSUE 283
09
YOUR
OMAN COULD IT BE THE END OF THE PLASTIC BAG IN OMAN? It could be the beginning of the end for plastic bag use in Oman as a special task force is looking at ways to enforce a ban, it has been revealed. The Ministry of Environment has set up a committee headed by the Undersecretary to study the issue with other interested parties. While there is no time frame at the moment, measures to restrict or completely ban the use of plastic bags in the near future now look likely. “We have established a new committee to look at way ways of banning plastic bags in the future,” Dawood al Balushi, head of the information department at the Ministry told Y. “The committee will be personally led by the Undersecretary of the Ministry. The aim is to force companies to use eco-friendly bags instead of plastic bags. Plastic bags are unfriendly to the environment.” Plastic bag use in the Sultanate has been a long-running hot topic for some time. The Environment Society of Oman (ESO) has been
running a ‘No to Plastic Bags Campaign’ for two years, aiming to reduce and regulate the use of the bags. Plastic bags are not biodegradable and can take up to 1000 years or more to break down. Plastic bags also pose a serious danger to birds and marine mammals that often mistake them for food. Thousands die each year after swallowing or choking on discarded bags. The average plastic bag is used for 20 minutes before being thrown away. Most end up in a landfill or as litter on land. Camels, cattle, goats and sheep can die when they eat plastic bags. Clean Up Oman, a volunteer organisation, has estimated that more than 12 million plastic bags are provided freely to consumers in Muscat every month, a staggering figure. On January 1, 2009, Oman banned the production, trade and use of thin plastic bags made with polyethylene (PE) on environmental grounds.
Words: Kate Ginn
Study to look at ways of banning use of nonbiodegradable bags
Any new ban would extend to thick plastic bags. Both Carrefour and LuLu already offer their customers reusable bags as an alternative to plastic bags, costing around 200-250 baisa. “We did our whole plastic bag campaign and our research has been presented to the Ministry (of Environment and Climate Affairs),” said an ESO spokeswoman. “We hope something may be achieved.” In May this year, Dubai began a six-month campaign to reduce plastic bag use by 20 per cent – or 500 million – and by a further 15 per cent next year. Residents are encouraged to swap plastic for reusable bags from paper or jute Bader al Lawati, one of the Freezing Omanis who went to Antarctica earlier this year, has been running his own campaign to reduce plastic bag use in Oman with schools and businesses. “I’m hopeful that something will be done in the near future. It would be fantastic if plastic bags were banned or the use reduced,” he said.
Will He Stay Or Will He Go? Nawras boss in running for Myanmar switch Having occupied the boss’s chair for nine years, Ross Cormack is as much a recognised part of the Nawras brand as his company’s products. At the helm since it was established in Oman in 2004, he has been credited with steering the telecommunications giant to become a leader in the market. Now it appears Cormack’s golden touch might be wanted elsewhere. There are rumours that the Nawras CEO is in the running to take over the reigns at Myanmar, formerly Burma, and replicate his success in the Sultanate. “Everyone in Muscat is talking that Ross is leaving Oman and going to Burma, it seems to be an open secret,” said a source. Cormack was in Myanmar last month and spoke at a press conference as a senior representative for Qatar’s Ooredoo, the parent company of Nawras. In Oman, however, the communications firm remained tight-lipped about any potential move of their CEO. “Ooredoo is currently assessing the 010
AUG 22 – 28 / ISSUE 283
management needs of Ooredoo Myanmar,” said a statement from Nawras. “All options are being reviewed, including potential internal appointments, where Ooredoo’s succession planning will deliver a management transition which will continue to support shareholders’ interests.” Myanmar is set to become the second largest market for Ooredoo, said to be worth over US$2 billion a year, with huge investment and growth planned. Cormack has more than 25 years experience in the telecoms industry, having led four different firms and served on the board of six companies across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Originally from the UK, he was an executive director at Qtel and the CEO and founder of Singapore-based Virgin Mobile Asia before moving to Oman. Nawras was the first to launch 3G services in the Sultanate in 2007 and now has around a 40 per cent market share with over 1.6 million customers.
Gallery
Interview
NEWS
OMAN AIR PROBE
ALLEGATIONS OF UNFAIR DISMISSAL
Omani pilots and ground staff who lost their jobs with Oman Air are claiming they were unfairly dismissed, Oman News Agency (ONA) has reported. A number of former Oman Air employees appeared before a factfinding committee at the Majlis A’Shura on Tuesday. Job seeking pilots who had not been hired by the national airline after completing the training also attended and made claims about the recruitment procedure. The committee, chaired by Ali bin Abdullah al Badi, also quizzed ground staff whose employment was terminated by the company, according to ONA. “A number of pilots and employees in the company said that the decision to dismiss them was arbitrary and contrary to the Omani Labour Law as most of them had long years of experience with the company,” said the report. It added: “The job seeking pilots who have completed the training explained that the tests carried out by Oman Air, some of them are impossible or do not measure the efficiency and capacity of the pilot.” A number of proposals that would guarantee the rights of terminated
pilots and employees and those of job seekers were discussed. Further meetings with all parties concerned will be held in the future. Earlier this year, up to 60 Oman Air staff went on strike in a bid to force the carrier to provide training and promotions. In June, Oman Air staff at Muscat International Airport held further strikes. Oman Air later announced that staff salaries had been increased by an average of 36 per cent between December and March 2013. Around 200 employees also went on strike back in March 2011 demanding higher salaries and better working conditions.
HELPING HAND INTO WORK Interns to get valuable hands-on experience Words: Kate Ginn They are on the verge of taking their first tentative steps into the workplace so the chance to be given some guidance was not to be missed. These 15 young people are the lucky ones chosen to be the first batch of interns in a new programme aiming to empower Omani youth. With 50 per cent of the population of Oman under the age of 24, creating work opportunities for the future outside the oil industry is a priority. Ten of the Sultanate’s leading employers have signed up to offer work experience and advice on how to build successful careers. All the participants of the scheme by The Public Authority for Investment Promotion and
Export Development (PAIPED) took part in the recent Muscat Youth Summit. “We have assessed how to best provide this pool of talented Omani students the opportunity to channel their energies and indulge their passion while developing their entrepreneurial skills,” said Alya al Hosni, PAIPED’s director of communication and external affairs. “Internships bridge the gap between education and the working world, broadening horizons before embarking on a career.” Six key areas will be covered by the internships, including mentoring. At the end, each intern will receive a certificate and reference letter.
“The companies we have partnered with are considered the employers of choice in Oman’s highly competitive jobs market,” added al Hosni. Companies signed up include Oman Air, Khimji Ramdas, Omran, Nawras and Y magazine, along with our sister radio stations, Merge 104.8 and Al Wisal 96.5. “A tough jobs market means that students and graduates face
unprecedented challenges as they look to start their careers,” said Eihab Abutaha, CEO of SABCO Media.“An internship not only helps a young person to get their foot in the door but it also provides employers like SABCO Media the opportunity to unearth potential talent to help their own future. It’s a win-win situation and as such, we’re delighted to be part of this new PAIPED programme.”
AUG 22 – 28 / ISSUE 283
011
THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE Aug 25 to 27
All roads to the GCC
The Gulf and Globalisation conference takes place this week at the Oman International Exhibition Centre Hall 1. The GCC-focused business event is organised by Al Hadaf International Exhibitions. For more info call OIEC on 24512100.
Back to the Dunes
Guide Oman are going back into the sands next month. Book your place on the first desert crossing – call Abdul Rahman on 922 85813 or Rebecca on 980 38820.
Sept 05 to 07
High Life
THIS
WEEK
What to do. What to see. What to hear.
It’s not too late to catch London’s DJ Kinky D this Thursday night at the Grand Hyatt Muscat’s Copacabana Restyled. Doors open at 10pm. Entrance with welcome cocktail for R010, and free bar tickets from RO30. For reservations call 2464 1234 or email: muscat. dining@hyatt.com
A U G U S T Aug 24
‘Ideas worth spreading’ Around the world TED talks have become a must-attend forum for sharing ideas with a wide audience. After TED events in Muscat in 2011 and 2012, the first ever TED talk in Salalah takes place this Saturday at Frankincense Land Hall, Al Baleed Archeological Site. Speakers include Omantel CEO Dr Amer Al Rawas, Dr Abdullah Baabood, director of the Gulf Research Institute at Cambridge University, entrepreneur Saba Al Busaidi and archeologist Dr Jeffrey Rose. Times: from 8.30am to 2pm. To register visit: www.tedxsalalah.com. For Muscateers, you’ll have to wait until October 2 for the next TED event.
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AUG 22 – 28 / ISSUE 283
Aug 22
Gallery
Movies
From the heart
Family Fun
SEP
06
The Muscat Family Festival is a free one-day event promising activities and entertainment for all ages at the Bahja Hall, The Jungle, Qurum. It runs from 10am-10pm with exhibits, shopping, eating and entertainment, a kids zone, face painting, henna and nail art – and an hourly raffle draw. For more information call Axis Events on 95126063 / 99197817.
Art of Living Oman has joined forces with Hatat Polyclinic and the Central Blood Bank of Oman for a donation camp. It’s a chance to give blood and make a vital difference to those in need. The venue is Hatat House in Wadi Adai. For further information call Sangita on 96063261.
Save The Date
Sept
06
Express Yourself
Shah Nagardas Manji & Co, next to the SABCO Centre, Qurum, is offering art classes for children of all ages, including sketching, charcoal, oil, water colours, pastels and more. Classes are for 4-7 year olds (RO20), 8-14 (RO25) and 15 years and over (RO30) Aug for eight hours a SEPT week. Come in the mornings (10am1pm) and evenings (5-8pm). No classes on Tuesday and Friday. Classes are also available in Ruwi. Call 97293612 for more info.
extra Shell Super, designed for
kilometers
*
AT NO EXTRA COST
Future Food Food professionals who want to raise their game should drop into the National Hospitality Institute on September 3 for a free workshop on catering technology. Find out how modern equipment can revolutionise your operations, from 2pm at NHI, Al Wadi Al Kabir. Call 24816313 for more details.
Super Dee-Duper – Barney, the cult children’s TV character, is coming to Muscat on October 25-26. Tickets for Barney Let’s Go Live tour go on sale September 4. Select and buy your seats online at barneyoman.com
Sept 03
At Shell, our scientists are using smarter and smarter ways to create quality fuels that are designed to deliver better fuel economy. The smart choice for you – Shell Super, the only petrol in Oman with a special additive formula designed for extra kilometers at no extra cost. www.shelloman.com.om
* Comparison between a standard fuel and that same standard fuel containing our fuel economy formula. Actual benefits may vary according to vehicle, driving conditions and driving style.
AUG 22 – 28 / ISSUE 283
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THIS WEEK
MOVIES MOVIES THIS WEEK’S MOVIES For more information and times, go to: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641
The Wolverine (3D) This is the second helping of the Hugh Jackman’s Marvel Comics character headlining a film. After being a successful part of the ‘X-Men’ franchise for three films, Wolverine got his own solo gig in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which it’s fair to say wasn’t up to much. However Wolverine is back with a beefed up Jackman for another go and this attempt, it has to be said, is much better all round. Director James Mangold (Walk the Line) makes a good job of reviving the fortunes of Wolverine after the clichéridden script disaster that was Origins. It helps if you’ve seen the last X-Men film, The Last Stand, as this one opens with Logan (Jackman) being haunted by Jean Grey, the love of his life who he killed in that film in order to save the world. Even superheroes can suffer a midlife crisis it seems, and Wolverine is no exception. Thankfully, he meets a Japanese woman named Yukio, who convinces him to ditch the self-pity and go to Japan with her instead. There, he hooks up with one of Japan’s wealthiest men, a technology
PREVIEW
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AUG 22 – 28 / ISSUE 283
entrepreneur whom Wolverine saved during the bombing of Nagasaki in World War Two. In present-day Japan, our man finds himself doing battle with samurai, ninjas and a beautiful mutant called Viper (Svetlana Khodchenkova). When you’re a superhero with hands that sprout lethal knives and self-healing wounds, you’re a bit indestructible. Still, the bad guys give him a good run for his money. The fight scenes are not spectacular, minus the flashy CGI effects of say Iron Man, but there is a memorable chase sequence through Tokyo and another on top of a bullet train. This character-driven plot is more about probing Wolverine’s internal struggles as much as tussling with nasties. Jackman is in almost every scene and seems to relish the chance to flesh out his personal story. If you’re looking for a big-budget blockbuster this isn’t it, but it is entertaining, solid and well paced with a few surprises thrown in, even if it doesn’t stray far from traditional superhero territory. Review by Kate Ginn
2Guns The ever-reliable Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg have a lot of fun as an undercover drugs enforcement agent and naval intelligence officer who find themselves on the run after a botched attempt to infiltrate a drug cartel. Based on a graphic comic book series, the enjoyable pairing of W&W brings the characters off the page, mixing plenty of action with the right amount of comedy.
A Common Man Anything starring Ben Kingsley is usually worth watching but this could stretch your loyalty. Kingsley plays an anonymous terrorist who plants five bombs in the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and threatens to detonate them unless the local head of police (played by the very English Ben Cross) agrees
to release four imprisoned terrorists. The acting is hammy and the plot is nonsense at times. If it’s a spoof, as has been suggested, then it’s spot on. If not, well, you have been warned…
Gladiators of Rome 3D Animated comedy adventure about a boy called Timo who is orphaned by the volcano eruption that destroyed Pompeii. Adopted by a Roman general, he falls for the general’s daughter, Lucilla, who is beholden to another, and so has to perform a heroic deed to prove himself a true Gladiator and win her hand. Scripted by Michael J Wilson, the Oscar-winning writer of A Shark’s Tale, it’s great fun for all ages.
Y’s Film Choice JOBS
It’s been less than two years since Steve Jobs, American entrepreneur, inventor and co-founder of Apple, died after a battle against cancer. Inevitably it didn’t take long for Hollywood to rush out a story about his remarkable life. Of more surprise was the casting of Ashton Kutcher, a slot-in leading man for light comedies such as ‘What Happens in Vegas’, in the title role. Does he carry it off? Well, he’s good in some parts, a bit like the film. Concentrating on Jobs’ life story from 1971 through to the introduction of the iPod in 2001, we get a glimpse into how the iconic leader struggled to convey his message. Moving from the beginnings of Apple in the garage of the Jobs’ family home through to success, corporate backbiting
and high-tech world domination, the mercurial visionary that was Jobs is evident. What is more opaque is why a college dropout and clearly flawed individual became such a world-changing figure. The film never quite captures the essence of the man. ‘It only takes one person to start a revolution’ is the movie tagline. It’s just a shame that someone like that wasn’t working on this film.
News
Interview
MOVIES
in Oman Once Upon a Time
The release of a new Bollywood film, partly shot in Oman, shows the growing popularity of the country as a location for filmmaking, writes Joe Gill Bollywood filmmakers have long favoured using scenic foreign locations for their big romantic dramas and Oman is now firmly on their radar. Over the last two years, more than a dozen Indian movies have been filmed in the Sultanate, including the recent Tamil thriller, Thalaiva. Now the release of Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara, shot partly in Oman, is putting the Sultanate on the map, with stars and producers singing the praises of the country. The film featured scenes shot at Qantab Beach, Qurum Corniche, Grand Mosque Road and Bander Khyran, as well as the Shangri-La. Giving reasons for choosing Oman, director Milan Luthria said: “Oman has modern cityscapes along with old world charm and opulence, which we felt suited our requirements perfectly. Oman also offers a lot of stunning, unexplored and diverse landscapes, [making it] very attractive from a director’s perspective.” Yet despite the obvious attractions of the country, blessed with great weather, spectacular mountains and deserts and endless unspoiled beaches, Oman has yet to reach its potential among global location scouts. One reason is the country is not yet set up to be a hub for filmmakers. Without an indigenous film industry, it lacks skilled film crew or post-production facilities. However, this situation does now seem to be changing with a concerted effort from the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, the Omani Centre for Investment Promotion and Export Development (Ociped) and the Ministry of Tourism to attract Bollywood producers in particular. Bollywood filmmaker Ashwini Chaudhary, who came to Oman in April with director Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan and film producer Anjum Rizvi, said the Sultanate would soon become a “regular” destination for Indian films. Tour Oman, a tourism management company, was the local partner to the producers of Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, and is optimistic about the future of film here. “With the support of The Oman Ministry of Tourism, the Royal Oman Police, Muscat
Municipality and all other Ministries associated with this project, this movie has been one of the most exciting and challenging projects for us,” said Tour Oman chief executive Sunil Prabhakar. “Oman is a fresh yet perfect destination for movies and we’re now better equipped to welcome more production houses from around the globe here.” But it’s not just Bollywood taking an interest in Oman. Siba Art Producion & Distribution recently worked with Hollywood directorproducer Mark Ratering on Pirates Blood, a low-budget English language film that is now in post-production. Mohsin Al Busaidy, the chairman of Siba Art Production & Distribution, said: “Oman is one big open studio. We have special crews that can work off-shore and there are post-production facilities, although not all within one company.” Government support is available for the right project. “The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Information will look at the script. They have to decide if it is good for the country – if it is they will invest in it.” Depending on the size of a production, film crew are available in Oman or can be brought in at 48 hours notice, said Al Busaidi. “We can do production, shooting, and camera management. Oman is very flexible and open. We have virgin locations, mountains and the biggest coast line that can compete with Damascus or Cairo.” Al Busaidi said he has official approval for a post-production laboratory and is just waiting for funding. However, he accepts that currently Dubai has the best production facilities in the region. One obstacle, said Al Busaidi, is that there is not yet a culture where Omanis will consider investing in film in the way people do in the US or Europe. “We are trying to build a real foundation for a film industry here. “Huge films are being done in Dubai, like Mission Impossible IV. Why is it that after seven international film festivals in Oman, we are still waiting for these films to be made here?”
We are trying to build a real foundation for a film industry here.
Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara Abhudit Greene enjoys the parts shot in Muscat. As for the rest… My expectations from Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara were not high, but I was excited about the fact that the film was shot partly in Oman, and looked forward to seeing familiar locations up on the big screen. It doesn’t disappoint – the movie opens with an aerial shot of The Sultan Qaboos Mosque, then cuts to an aerial shot of Al Bustan Palace. The locations bring a sense of grand, imposing opulence, a perfect backdrop for the larger-than-life character of Shoaib (Akshay Kumar). The Central Business District is the setting for a murderous attack on Shoaib, one that forces him to return to Mumbai, which is where the movie begins. I honestly wish there was more of Oman in the movie, but seeing these locales on the silver screen was definitely the high point of the film for me. Now to the movie. Given that its director (Milan Luthra) was the same as for the original, I knew that it would tread the same territory as that movie, which came out in 2010: gangsters muscle flexing in Mumbai, non-stop rat-a-tat of ’70s style dialogue, loud background music, and a plot riddled with predictabilities from beginning to end. What I wasn’t prepared for was just how similar it would be. Despite the change in leads – Ajay Devgn and Emran Hashmi have been replaced by Akshay Kumar and Imran Khan, and instead of Kangna Ranaut, there is Sonakshi Sinha – after a certain point, it is like a listless carbon copy. Shoaib’s character, a doppelganger to India’s most wanted gangster-turned-terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, is ruthless and ambitious, a master of all he surveys. Once in Mumbai, he whistles up his faithful, first of all Aslam (Imran Khan). The script conjurs up a romantic distraction for both the protagonists, creating the classic Bollywood love triangle with Jasmine (Sinha), a wannabe heroine, improbably bouncing between the two leads. After all the bang-bangs are over, you are left with so little new that you wonder if there’s any juice left in this style of retro gangsta flick. My advice for Muscateers: go watch the movie just for the Muscat scenes, and leave after the first 15 minutes.
AUG 22 – 28 / ISSUE 283
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REA As the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s iconic ‘I Have a Dream’ speech nears, Y asks people in Oman to give their own version. 016
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hen you cease to dream you cease to live,” said Malcolm S Forbes, the American businessman and publisher of Forbes magazine. While presented in his own singular way, Forbes’ words resonate through time and generations. The message is clear: to give up on one’s dream, no matter how substantial or insignificant, is to give up on life. On August 28, 1963, the American activist Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and made the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech in which he called for an end to racism in the United States. More than 250,000 civil rights supporters were there that day to witness what was to become a defining moment in the American Civil Rights Movement and an extraordinary moment in history. King spoke passionately about his hopes for the future and a world where equality was a right for all. To mark the anniversary of King’s speech, Y asked four people to share their ‘I Have a Dream’ moment and tell us their hopes and vision of the future in the Sultanate. Our contributors are different ages and come from different fields. They each have their own unique perspective and their messages are an inspiration for us all.
Sayyid Nasr Albusaidi is chairperson of the PR and communications committee at the National Youth Commission and holds a number of positions in both the private and public sector, including a key role in the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs
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Upon the accession of His Majesty, the Sultanate of Oman has come out of the shadows of being a subsistence economy to being an economy that is well on its way to selfsufficiency. Yet today, like any other nation, we still have many challenges and pitfalls. But I say to you that all these challenges are minuscule and inconsequential in comparison to what we’ve gone through in order to be where we are today. My dream begins with the Sultanate being immersed in global trade. An economy that is strong, drawing business people from all around the world to trade for our precious commodity, as we wander elsewhere for what we lack and do not have. I dream of a nation that is based on egalitarianism, where roles and responsibilities are given based on meritocracy. I dream of a nation that follows in the footsteps of His Majesty in being generous and helping those who are less fortunate. We know where we want to get to but we need to see how we can get there. The dream begins with a strong foundation in the youth of today for they are the future of tomorrow. It is imperative that all youngsters are ‘empowered’ in order for them to fulfil their own dreams for the nation, and this is only possible through the right foundations provided by the state. I dream that all our youth will be educated in a world-class educational system that is based on giving students a worldwide holistic view of education. I dream of a plethora of institutions and facilities, established for the misled youth, steering them back to achieving their dreams.”
I dream of a plethora of institutions and facilities, established for the misled youth, steering them back to achieving their dreams.
“
Sharifa al Barami is an entrepreneur, cofounder and CEO at AlJazeera Technical Solutions & Training, executive partner of AlJazeera Global Services & Investments, a development consultant, coach, and mum
The beacon of hope and prosperity was ignited more than 40 years ago by His Majesty the Sultan. Back then, he had a dream for this nation. He had a dream for us. And he has made that dream a reality. We, the first generation born into those dreams, stand today and carry the responsibility of dreaming. I have a dream That Oman once again becomes the land of entrepreneurship, that the spirits of our ancestor seafarers come back to these shores and inspire the youth to rebuild an empire solid on its own strengths. I have a dream That every Omani, male and female, finds within them the spark and ignition to build their nation through knowledge, hard work and giving. To innovate solutions and create answers. To close the gaps, not just point them out. I have a dream That education surpasses being a system and becomes a lifelong quest for knowledge to every citizen. I have a dream That we eat what we grow, and wear what we sew. That the Omani household becomes self-sufficient and self-reliant. That our children know what it means to work hard for what you earn, and that a man’s wealth is his values and not his money’s worth. I have a dream That women do not have to choose anymore between raising a family or having a career. That they are given choices not ultimatums. That there are daycare solutions by default in all workplaces, and there are flexible working conditions. Because a family is everyone’s responsibility – it is a community’s core responsibility. I have a dream That in my nation, every dreamer has a chance to test their dreams, to spread their wings and soar to the sky of glory. I dream that Oman becomes the land of opportunity, the land of prosperity and the land of ever-lasting human values. I have a dream And I have faith that hard work and perseverance are a small price to pay for one’s dreams.”
That every Omani, male and female, finds within them the spark and ignition to build their nation through knowledge, hard work and giving. To innovate solutions, and create answers. To close the gaps and not just point them out.
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Yuthar Mohammed al Rawahi, 62, is a cancer survivor, and founder and president of the Oman Cancer Association
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To pursue and realise tangible change within a society one has to trust in one’s dream. Cancer as a disease affects every member of the community in one way or another; to combat it, a holistic approach to cancer awareness and prevention is needed. As a four-time cancer survivor myself, fulfillment of the above is my dream for Oman and the world. Advocacy work and empowerment of members of the society with regard to cancer, through a multi-pronged approach, is the solution. My dream is to create ample advocacy for cancer prevention to such an extent that our oncology beds in hospitals are empty or at least are only treating cancer patients with very early stages of the disease. As a non-government organisation (NGO), we work with the civil society we represent to be catalysts of change in the provision of integrated cancer care at all levels, including advanced palliative care services to patients and survivors. As an NGO, we hope to be a compliment to the efforts and services provided by the government and private sectors – we cannot work independently. My dream is not only to get the civil society to appreciate the life-changing and life-saving importance of regular examination and early detection, but to engage the relevant authorities at all levels by highlighting the socioeconomic needs of cancer patients and their families and inspiring them to work with us to provide for those needs. I would like to have the public and private sector knock on our door and look to us to assist in implementing their initiatives and projects in this field. It is only when we work together to lift the taboo and fear surrounding cancer and empower all households with the knowledge and tools to address it as any other ailment, that we will begin to realise a cancer-free world. The Oman Cancer Association, in its 11 years of active advocacy work, with projects such as the Mobile Mammography Unit and Dar Al Hanan, has contributed tremendously to the fulfillment of this dream. We at the Association strive endlessly to achieve this goal, to support and assist in the quest for the cure for cancer. I believe Mr. King’s admirable dreams were propelled by his passion and strength of purpose. His tireless efforts brought life to his dream. We each strive for the same perseverance to see our own dreams become a reality. For me, that is a cancer-free world for my grandchildren and future generations to come.”
My dream is to create ample advocacy for cancer prevention to such an extent that our oncology beds in hospitals are empty or at least are only treating cancer patients with very early stages of the disease.
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Saif Bidi, 20, whose father was born in Iraq, is a student at The Caledonian College of Engineering in Muscat.
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Freedom is a word used to define the state of being at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint. Freedom is a word used to define the power to determine action without restraint. Freedom is a word used to define the state of political or national independence. Freedom is Oman. A country that gave me so much love, so much acceptance, so much peace, a country that I’m so proud to call my home. I was asked to write an article about the future of Oman, but the words in my head stood compressed because I knew that Oman is on a track that had passed the future long ago. I sat back and watched this great nation transform into an ocean of liberty, a place where all people are equal. A place where you can accomplish what you’ve never dreamed of accomplishing. How am I supposed to write about the future of Oman when deep in my mind I know it’s going to be way greater than what I could imagine? Yet again, I hold on to my imagination, the dream that I clearly see of Oman’s future. I see it as a place representing by example the unvarnished truth of freedom. I see it as a place where people escape to when they can no longer handle the reality in their homelands. I see it as a place where you will not only be surrounded by peace but you can actually taste it. And as I was able to experience other societies, I more and more realised how blessed I have been to be a part of this fascinating society. This is the future, we are the future, and we represent the future: Oman is the future. God bless our home. And may I one day go back to my motherland to see it unchained and set free just like Oman.”
How am I supposed to write about the future of Oman when deep in my mind I know it’s going to be way greater than what I could imagine?
M
artin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister who became a leading light in civil rights activism, making his name as leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Reverend King preached nonviolent civil disobedience and led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott, a campaign against the policy of racial segregation on public transport in Alabama and a seminal event in the civil rights fight. The protest led to a change in the law declaring segregated buses to be unconstitutional. King also helped organise the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. Several versions of the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech were written at different times. When King delivered the speech at a makeshift lectern on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in front of a sea of protestors, he departed from the prepared text at the end of the 17-minute oration and improvised, describing his dreams of freedom and equality. It was this improvisation that gripped the watching hordes and a huge radio and television audience, and became the most famous part of the speech. It cemented King’s mark in history as one of the great orators of all time – the speech was ranked the top American speech of the 20th century in 1999 by a poll of scholars. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. In March the following year, James Earl Ray was convicted of the shooting and sentenced to 99 years in prison.
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’ I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.”
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AUG 22 – 28 / ISSUE 283
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A LEAP
OF FAITH
Western converts to Islam talk about their journey to embracing a new religion.
Words: Joe Gill
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eter, a western expat living in Oman, has come along way from ies or clergy.” a boyhood in an Italian Catholic neighbourhood. Making the change to an Islamic way of life is not necessarily easy Looking at him, there is nothing to suggest that he is anyfor Westerners. “The change of culture was originally difficult,” says thing other than a hard-working family man from Europe Stevens, who is now a father, married to a Jordanian. “Society in the or America. He just happens to be a UK is more open whereas in the MidMuslim. dle East culture is somewhat driven “I was an altar boy but I wasn’t from religion which makes it more religious and certainly didn’t feel any restrictive.” closeness with God,” he says. Hafidh Muhammad Al Kindy, a “I was fortunate to have been introvolunteer at the Islamic Information duced to Islam in college 30 years ago Centre at the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, “It is not permitted for a non-Muslim man to by immigrant students of south-east receives overseas visitors and tries to marry a Muslim girl, while the opposite is not Asian origin. answer their questions about Islam. true. There are reasons for that,” says Hafidh “It was my interest in Islam that In the Islamic tradition, everyone Muhammad Al Kindy of the Islamic Information brought me to the Middle East in the is born a Muslim, although whether Centre at the Sultan Qaboos Mosque. early 1990s to live and work in the they ‘revert’ to Islam is a question of “If a Muslim man marries a non-Muslim woman energy sector.” conscience. it is allowed. Her scriptures, prophets and Islam is widely reported to be the “Everyone is born to follow the law messengers are accepted by Muslims, but fastest growing religion on the planet, of God,” says Al Kindy. “Only after Christianity or Judaism do not accept the although as in all discussions of faith, birth we tend to follow the culture of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). facts and figures are hotly disputed. our parents. In India you are expect“As a Muslim, I can live with a woman in which I recognise her religion, because they all came According to a survey by the Pew ed to be a Hindu, in China you are from the same God. My religion tells me there Forum Research Centre in 2010, the expected to be a Buddhist.” is no compulsion in religion. I can encourage global Muslim population is set to rise But Al Kindy is at pains to point her but I cannot interfere with her [faith]. from 23.4 per cent to about 26.4 per out that ‘reversion’ can only take But Al Kindy adds “Christians have not cent in 2030, mainly due to population place through conviction. “No coeraccepted the Quran or Mohammad. Christians growth. cion or bribery can make someone a do not accept these beliefs. How can you live Conversions in the UK since 2001 Muslim.” with a man who does not accept the concept of could be as high as 100,000, although A French couple had come in earfree will in religion?” figures are inexact. lier, asking questions about the creaAccording to Islam “you cannot marry A history of religious conflict dating tion of man and original sin – then someone who is not a person of the Book, back centuries hangs over the subject of a Russian arrived with an Omani following previous scriptures.” conversion, from the Crusades through friend. the Inquisition. “Most of the people who come here Ask your average westerner what they are asking questions to clarify the think about it and they are likely to conjure up pictures of people being confusion in their minds about religion. brainwashed, suddenly changing their appearance, lifestyle and friends. “There are contradictions in these traditions. In Christianity there is Converts to Islam have to reckon with the sometimes hostile reaction God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. of friends, family and other non-Muslims. “Islam is built on many cultural, social and family values which are “Unfortunately, my beliefs have caused a schism within the family,” embedded in the Quran and also in the traditions of the Prophet (peace says Peter. be upon him).” Rob Stevens, a British radio presenter and voiceover artist who con“Islam recognises and believes in all the words of the prophets and all verted three years ago, was luckier. “My family was supportive and, as the scriptures of God. It also believes that all religions originally came they also lived in the Middle East, understood the religion. from God. The basic teachings of Moses and Jesus are the same as of “I have experienced some Middle Eastern Christians that have Muhammad.” viewed me differently, especially because they are a minority in the The reasons people come to Islam are varied and not always primarMiddle East, so they tend to have their reservations about westerners ily religious. converting to Islam.” Those who want to become a Muslim will be asked whether they He says moving to the Middle East gradually opened his eyes to know the principles of faith and the principles of religion, says Al Islam. “Although I was taught about it in the UK, I didn’t have a great Kindi. “You need to find out if the person is accepting Islam out of confeeling towards the power of religion as I didn’t really understand what viction or due to difficult circumstances, such as an employer making a it was or how to embrace it. job conditional on the employee being a Muslim. “When I was in the Middle East I had a feeling that at the time I couldn’t explain. I later learnt what that was,” he says. “Living for months at a time in the Middle East let me experience the love of religion, the beautiful mosques, the dedication people had to their religion, and the way they lived their lives, respecting each other and through their religion helping each other; uniting to pray and being a part of their religion together.” For many people, coming into contact with Muslims and visiting or living in a Muslim country can change such perceptions radically. “What first intrigued me about Islam was the simple yet powerful connection with the creator that can be achieved through prayer,” says Peter, who met his wife, a Muslim, while working overseas. “Prayer that at the same time is both individual and a group activity and where men of all socio-economic levels and different ethnic backgrounds line up shoulder to shoulder to pray without intermediar-
Islam and marriage a brief guide
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Leaving The Faith While Islam insists there is no compulsion in religion, if a Muslim wishes to leave Islam or convert to another faith, they will be considered an apostate. Although apostasy is not a criminal offence in Oman, the social consequences can be severe. Parish Priest Alberto D’Silva of the Ghala Catholic Church says the Church does not accept Muslim converts: “We do not encourage Muslims to attend services or become Christians. It is very difficult for us because we are living in a Muslim country and we are not allowed to practice conversion….we do not encourage them to come to our church.”
“Some people come here and they want to become a Muslim because they want to marry a Muslim girl,” says Al Kindy, chuckling. “It’s only when you start questioning them you find out it is because of marriage. “One should not be forced into conversion because of worldly circumstances. God created us with free choice. The first line of Surah 256 in the Quran says: ‘There shall be no compulsion in religion.’ It has to be by conviction.” “We explain to them that this is not the reason to become a Muslim. You have to convince yourself that it is the right way. Many people become Muslims by experiencing the way of life of the Muslims, seeing how they live day to day.” This seems to have been the case for Stevens,
who spent part of his childhood in Oman and the UAE. “I have lived in Dubai, Al Ain, Jordan and Qatar. I had a deep yearning to learn more and be a part of this community of Islam that I was living in. “I tried to teach myself and understand more about it by myself, but after watching many Islamic documentaries and the movie The Message, I decided that I needed to find someone that could teach me properly as a Muslim. “I found a brilliant teacher and religious figure who I can I turn to for help and guidance, and also with any questions that I might have.” So how does one actually become a Muslim? Al Kindy explains: “Once you have accepted that you want to be a Muslim, you make a declaration: that there is no deity worthy of worship except the one God Allah, and Muhammad is the servant and Messenger of Allah.” This is called the Shahadah, meaning bearing witness, basically a declaration of faith. “It is similar to what a president does when he takes the oath of office on a Holy book. Once you make that statement, you are a Muslim.” This also means accepting the five pillars of the Islamic faith – the Shahadah, prayer, giving zakat, fasting during Ramadan and the pilgrimage to Makkah. Stevens does not advertise that he is a Muslim, but does try to counter misperceptions about the religion. “The media has played a big role in the western world in demonising Islam. I can’t change that myself but I can teach the people that I do come into contact with who don’t know anything about Islam except what they have ‘learned’ through the media. “With people that don’t understand it, I try to teach them about it, and how it’s a religion of peace.”
The Principles Of Faith “The precepts of Islam are simple to follow and consist of a belief in the oneness of God and in all the prophets including Muhammad as the last and final Prophet (PBUH),” says Peter, a western convert to Islam. “The other precepts of Islam are prayer, fasting, charity and pilgrimage, and each precept strengthens the believer’s faith in God and in the need to seek patience and forgiveness. “Islam is more than a religion or a summary of religious beliefs. It is instead a ‘deen’ or way of life, and here Islam is different, in that Prophet Muhammad lived his life according to the precepts of Islam and his life’s works and teachings were compiled in the contemporary Hadith of the Prophet. “In essence, these Hadith address all aspects of human life, including prayer, marriage, divorce, business dealings and inheritance.”
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News
Interview
GALLERY
A panoramic view of the coast
Dramatic Dhofar lush and windswept views of the coast NEAR wadi darbat Images by Umer Shahzad
A view from the top of the valley
AUG 22 - 28 / ISSUE 283
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The Sun
Chasers
Following the path of the sun on the longest day is all part of the fun for the solar thrill seekers, says Kate Ginn Photos: Rebecca Mayston
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s the light started to appear on the horizon, soft streaks of colour from yellow to red, the makeshift camp on the beach at Sifah was already preparing to pack up and get on the road. They had been waiting. The chase was on. Their quarry was the sun, or more precisely, the path of the sun, which they would be pursuing as it made its way across Oman on the longest day of the year. For sun chasers in the Sultanate, the Summer Solstice is the ultimate adventure, a time when the solar star reaches its highest point in the sky along the Tropic of Cancer, which arcs through Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Oman. Which is why a group of six intrepid explorers were gathered on the Sifah shore in the early hours of the morning. Their mission was simple: to follow the sun from sunrise to sunset. “This is the fourth time that I’ve done this,” says Rebecca Mayston, of The Guide Oman, who was leading the solar seekers. “At 4.30am, I was awake and watching the sun come up. It was amazing, with a haze across the horizon. “The beach was deserted and there was a real sense of seeing the start of something as the sun rose. “It is one of my favourite spots and to be the only ones there at that time of the morning felt special.”
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Waking up to sunrise at Sifah beach (above) and the chase begins as the group hit the road
The Sun Chasers (from l-r) Simon, Sue, Lois, Keston, Helen and Rebecca Mayston
Ahead of them lay a 608km drive, following ocean paths and mountain roads, passing through empty wadis and mud brick villages mostly untouched by the modern world. “We were trying to keep as close to the Tropic of Cancer as possible,” explains Rebecca. “Along the way we encountered a thunderstorm, which was pretty dramatic, the lightning streaking across the sky and the rolling claps of thunder. It really added to the magic.” Their journey took them past numerous sights and destinations on the tourist trail, including Jebel Misht, with its famous beehive tombs, Dank and Al Mansoor Castle, which has been completely renovated. “I call it The Enchanted Castle,” says Rebecca. “There’s such a romance about it.” Just after midday, the group paused in Wadi Hinai, in the wilayat of Rustaq and one of the top tourism spots in Oman. With the sun directly above at the highest point in the sky, it does not cast shadows of upright objects – such as people. After an exhausting but exhilarating epic journey, they arrived on the edge of the Empty Quarter, at 7pm, in time to see the sun set, turning the orange coarse sand into a blazing red. “It was a beautiful thing to see,” says Rebecca. “It was a spectacular way to end the day, chasing the sun, watching it rise over the ocean and saying farewell to it over the Rub al Khali. “For me it was a sign that we are through summer and coming out the other side, a new beginning. “It’s a great significance that the Tropic of Cancer runs through Oman, it’s something unique. “As the sun was setting, there was an oil rig in the distant desert and we could see its flame going up into the sky as the sun’s flame was going out at the end of the day. “It was a memorable moment and a day that I’ll never forget.” To find out more about The Guide Oman go to www. facebook.com/TheGuideOman.
Splashing through a rocky wadi along the Tropic of Cancer (right)
Not a single shadow in sight at midday when the sun was at its highest point (left)
Arriving in the expanse of the Empty Quarter (right) in time to see the sun setting over the dunes (below)
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BUSINESS & CAREER
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by gossip Relationships and alliances are built on secrecy Rather than finding the cause of a problem, management look for scapegoats
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THE POWER Of Perception The ability to read people and situations is a skill that we all need to perfect to get ahead, discovers Penny Fray
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omeone once said that if you listened to your intuition, you’d discover everything you need to know about life. Steve Jobs based his career on it, as did Richard Branson and Bill Gates. It helped Einstein devise the theory of relativity and its importance in a professional context is growing all the time. According to a new book on how to thrive in a world of lying, backstabbing and dirty tricks, the ability to accurately assess situations and people is a vital part of your armoury. “When you have astuteness, everything else follows,” says Oliver James, psychologist and author of Office Politics. “You need to be able to read people, places and situations so that you can choose the right moment and the right tactic to secure that promotion, pay rise or tricky conversation with your boss.” The crucial difference between intuition and astuteness is observation, research and a certain kind of cunning. “Astuteness can be achieved automatically or deliberately, continues James. “Automatic intuition is when you unconsciously pick up signals that tell you what your colleague is thinking or feeling. Automatic astuteness can’t be explained – it’s just a gut feeling. Deliberate astuteness is a different matter. You have no idea about the other person, so you do some investigating to work them out by asking questions and judging their reactions.” Even if you don’t have instinct, you can always learn the art of being able to react quickly to situations by being more mindful. Unfortunately, our ability to judge things is influenced by our feelings, neuroses and moods. “When feeling depressed, we become quite indifferent to everything,” says psychologist and psychoanalyst Vincent Estellon. “First impressions cease to exist. Everything becomes lack lustre.” We can also be misled by the emotional context in which an encounter takes place. According to research, we tend to judge a face with a negative expression more positively in a happy atmosphere; conversely, when we are immersed in a dismal place, a joyful, lively face can provoke a bad reaction. So, how can we become more positively perceptive? Well, here are a few ideas: 1. Listen to what your body is telling you. Nerves, stress and tingling are all signs that something may be wrong. Likewise, learn to interpret the subtle signals of other people’s body language. 2. Get on message. In the same way we receive an SMS message, your unconscious mind is always trying to communicate with you. So, take a moment, find a silent corner, close your eyes and enter into the stillness of your heart. Visualise a desk with a notepad or sticky notes. What message has been left behind for you? You can adjust these exercises according to what feels familiar and comfortable to you. 3. Dream. Keep your iPad or smartphone by your bedside and make notes when you first wake up. It doesn’t matter how random your visions are, after a while you’ll learn to recognise patterns and symbols. 4. Keep your ears and eyes open. It’s amazing what you can pick up when you stop rushing about and start observing what’s going on around you. Also, talk less and listen more. People enjoy being the focus of someone else’s attention and will often reveal more than you thought possible, especially when prompted with open questions.
WHAT THE EXPERT SAYS: MOVE WITH CHANGE “Astuteness is not something you get and then set aside, it is something that requires review, development and adjustment as business, societal and political environments evolve. These can be sudden or can take years, you just have to be able to move with those changes.” Garry Friend, General Manager of the Grand Hyatt
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C oNen n e c t e d
twork fro with Y’s newm your desk weekly profile .
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food and drink
DID YOU KNOW? Fish is packed with protein, vitamins, oils and nutrients that can lower blood pressure, help reduce the risk of a heart attack and aid healthy brain function.
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New Restaurant FANCY FISH
There are few food combinations as delicious as a portion of fish and chips on a balmy seafront. But put away the old foil wrapping because our favourite battered takeaway has been given a posh spin at several top restaurants with lobster, crab, fancy fish and triple fried fries. Fabulous!
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FRUITS DE LA MER
Decking out your dinner table with seaside decor has never been more stylish, says Penny Fray
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Once it casts its spell, it holds you in its net of wonder forever.” This was the sentiment of the 20th century explorer and conservationist Jacques Cousteau about the sea. Few can deny its allure. Like a film star, it can be calm one moment and raging the next. But beneath the beauty there are hidden mysteries that not even the greatest detectives can solve. Such is the magnetism of the life aquatic that it’s become a perennial favourite with foodies and interior designers alike, inspiring everything from driftwood art to crab-covered crockery. Blessed with breathtaking beaches, serene seas and an abundance of marine creatures, Muscat is the natural home of all things cool and coastal. This season, seashore blues and foaming greys instill an air of calmness into any room, while traditional fishing villages encourage a more rustic take on the beach house look. Here, we pick some of our top sea-themed pieces:
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These hand-carved haddocks make amazing chair decorations. Available from online shopping site Who’s It For at RO14
Recreate the beach aroma with this candle from The White Company at Muscat City Centre. From RO14
Who needs flowers when this white ship makes an equally elegant table centerpiece? Available at HomeSense.com from RO8
This fishadorned tableware from Zara is so quirky. From RO3-RO16
M&S appliqued tea towel – RO5
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QUITE A CATCH Balmy weather, beautiful beach and freshly caught fish – Penny Fray enjoys the idyllic setting of the Al Bustan Palace’s seafront restaurant
It’s a long drive to the Ritz Carlton hotel but a pretty one if you go via the Muttrah corniche, taking in the twinkling marinas and traditional boats along the way. As you approach, the five-star hotel demands attention with its grand golden dome, long lush driveway and dramatic lobby. The experience is an upmarket one and you feel like a celebrity as the car door is swung open and a member of staff welcomes you with a warm smile, before swiftly escorting you to your destination. It’s a bit of a hike to the actual restaurant and sensible shoes are advised to navigate the various terrains of marbled floor, cobbled stones and sand. Then again, there’s nothing like a little exercise to work up an appetite. The indoor bit of the restaurant is lovely but I’m glad that I booked one of the popular al fresco tables in order to see and hear the sea under a canopy here was a time in my life when beaches meant unbridled freedom. of stars. You know, sandcastles one decade, bikinis without the wobbling It’s all incredibly romantic. There are lines of fire-lit torches guiding you belly the next. But now it means jostling for position between along the beach to one of the tables laid out for intimate dining on the sand, hyperactive kids and families who bring everything bar the and an Arab-style tent designed for special occasions. kitchen sink to their al fresco picnics. I can see why it’s a well-liked spot with newly married couples and VERDICT: So, when the city heat gets you down, there’s nowhere quite like a those celebrating their anniversaries – but alas – there’s little amour 10 private hotel beach for a dose of fresh air, tranquility and expertly between my friend and I. He is, however, very useful in making small It gets the extra prepared seafood. talk with the array of managers and waiters that keep drifting to our point for the Muscat, as you’d expect, is brimming with such premiere table every few minutes. The service is attentive – perhaps a little too lovely location pescetarian experiences – but the Al Bustan Palace’s Beach much so. Fortunately, we managed to avoid eye contact with the chatty Restaurant is a ‘must visit’ destination when it comes to fishy fare. Irish guy checking whether everyone was happy. Several chefs have recommended it in the past for its excellent food and The menu’s fairly compact and creative, featuring everything from fabulous location. So, when I discovered that it was re-opening for Eid, I was crustaceans and local fish to salads and steaks. For starters, I go for the Caesar’s determined to experience all its loveliness for myself. salad, leaving the slightly more exotic sounding squid dish for my companion
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Photo: Gary Schmidt
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to try. Both dishes are well presented and while the salad’s good, I’m more impressed by the homemade olive loaf from the breadbasket. Mr Big said that the squid was beautifully cooked but there was far too much mayonnaise to his liking. If you’re a foodie, a really cool part of the dining experience at the Al Bustan is that you get to see the freshly caught fish featured on the menu before it’s cooked. As regular Y readers know, I’m a little squeamish about seeing food in its original form, so I left all the inspecting to my expert sidekick. Despite the fact that I was in a carnivorous mood and fancied ripping into a juicy Australian steak, I was persuaded to try the king fish fillet instead, while Mr Big settled for the local tuna with asparagus. The sides are extra but I was thrilled that they had mini jacket potatoes and steamed vegetables on the menu. The fish dishes were perfectly cooked. Light and fresh, bursting with a subtle yet unusual blend of fruity flavours, I absolutely loved my choice. My companion
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was equally impressed with his, albeit both the wasabi and asparagus were delayed by a good five minutes. As a laid-back Aquarian, he didn’t mind, but as an impatient Leo, I wasn’t so forgiving. The pudding section of the menu made us both laugh. Under the rather risqué heading of ‘Happy Ending’ lay an unusual list of sweet and savoury stuff. I wasn’t particularly captivated by the options but tried the berry gratin in a white chocolate sauce out of curiosity. I wasn’t a huge fan because I like my desserts to be super sweet. Mr Big, on the other hand, likes savoury and was disappointed that the cheese option wasn’t available. I tried to persuade the waiter to sneak us some from the Iftar buffet with little success, so my pal settled on the Bedouin dessert instead, which was yummy – creamy, unusual and infused with a shot of coffee. After all that food, it was pretty much given that we’d end the evening with a stroll along the beach. The weather was balmy and the sound of the sea, soothing. There’s just one word to describe it all – idyllic.
Photos: Jerzy Wierzbicki
Beach Pavilion Restaurant Bar Address: Al Bustan Palace, Muscat Tel: 24799666 Opening Hours: A la Carte Lunch 12pm to 3pm. Bar Snack Menu 3pm to 6pm. A la Carte Dinner 6:30pm to 11pm. Price (for two): RO70 Ritzcarlton.com
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N e w R e s t a u r a n t Reviews
THE FOODIE
RECI
PE
FILES
Majid Said al Wahaibi, Sous Chef of Fairouz Restaurant, ShangriLa Hotel What were your favourite formative foods?
As a child, I enjoyed beef shawarma and could eat five at once.
What are your most prized kitchen possessions?
The mixed Arabic spices (cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon and peppers) are my secret to creating mind-blowing dishes.
What do you love eating?
Food heaven for me is definitely seafood. I’m addicted to it and fortunately for me, Oman’s sea is rich with a variety of fresh seafood.
If you could eat anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would love to go to France and enjoy their finest cuisine. Many wellknown chefs who have invented signature dishes come from this magnificent part of Europe.
What three qualities are essential for a good dining experience?
Good food. Good ambience. Fresh local produce.
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ASIAN STYLE TUNA STEAKS Lime, garlic, lemon grass, chilli and coriander add real zing to succulent tuna steaks, says Penny Fray Ingredients:
8 tuna steaks, about 1.5cm-2cm thick 2 x 20g packs of fresh coriander 2 large red chillies, deseeded and finely sliced 4 shallots, finely sliced Grated zest and juice of three limes 4 cloves of garlic, crushed 6 tsp lemon grass in sunflower oil 4 tbsp Indonesian style sweet soy sauce 2 tbsp olive oil
Method
1 Reserve a small handful of coriander for the garnish and roughly chop the rest. In a small bowl, mix the chopped coriander with the remaining marinade ingredients. Season with freshly ground black pepper. 2 Using your fingers, rub this mixture over the tuna steaks. Place in a non-metallic shallow dish and leave to marinate for 15-20 minutes. 3 Preheat an oiled griddle to medium-high. Then cook the tuna steaks for 3-4 minutes on each side. 4 Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with lime or lemon wedges.
HEALTH& BEAUTY
Health
Beauty
fashion
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
We’ve all heard of the phrase ‘clothes maketh the man (and woman)’ and a number of independent studies show that what you wear not only boosts your confidence but can also help you climb the career ladder.
Tailored, red and featuring a flattering front drape, this Jaeger dress ticks all the right fashion boxes.
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HOT IN THE CITY Six style solutions to keep you effortlessly chic in Oman’s summer heat. By Penny Fray
This LTD from Lanvin is an investment piece. Thank heavens its price tag has been slashed in half to RO450 at mytheresa.com.
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ooking professional and polished in the Muscat heat can be a challenge for even the sartorially savvy. It means not only negotiating soaring temperatures outside and cold air-con inside but also navigating your way through the office dress code with maximum style. The biggest mistake most employees make is underdressing, according to business polls – showing up to work in weekend grubs or beachwear. Your appearance creates credibility, so step away from the vest, shorts and flip-flops because the new preseason collections offer light, tailored pieces in a chic neutral palette of grays, blacks and whites. Here, we list the working woman’s office essentials:
I love both the fluidity and versatility of this Zara top from Muscat City Centre. RO17
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The Tote When you have to carry everything bar the kitchen sink to work, a bijou bag just doesn’t cut it – but a tote does. Structured enough to be ladylike and sufficiently roomy to carry all your office essentials, the haute hold-all remains every multi tasker’s must-have accessory. This season, go for the two-toned trend as seen on the runways of both Celine and Phillip Lim.
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The Tux Dress A cross between a smoking jacket and classic shift, the LTD (little tux dress) sets the standard in new season dressing. Cool, versatile and seriously in vogue thanks to Victoria Beckham’s endorsement, you can wear it day or night with the right accessories.
These tailored trousers by Hobbs, RO72, top the fashion list thanks to their subtle animal print. Wear with neutrals.
03 The Breezy Blouse Perfect for keeping cool on city summer days, the smart, silk t-shirt, tops off everything from pencil skirts to this season’s leather trousers with stylish ease.
There’s no better (or cheaper) way to tap into this season’s punk luxe look than with this spiked necklace from Next at Muscat City Centre. From RO8
04 Power Pumps Statement stilettoes still make the fashion grade, especially when worn in scarlet or leopard print. Alternatively, tap into the punk spirit with sculptural steel accents at the toe and heel. 05 Statement Jewellery This season’s masculine tailoring calls for tough jewellery, like leather cuffs and spiked necklaces. Luxe punk pieces have never been hotter. 06
Leopard Print In a season where Christopher Kane, Burberry and Roland Mouret are all championing the big cat print, make sure that you have a pair of trousers in the wild pattern. For boardroom suitability, play it down with a prim silhouette and neutral accessories.
WONDER WARDROBE: Get promoted
with Penny’s professional dress code
3.1 Phillip Lim takes a sophisticated approach to the colour-block trend with this monochrome tote. Constructed from smooth leather, it boasts an extra large internal pocket – perfect for work-to-weekend organisation. RO376 from Net-A-Porter
These Love Fury pumps in sultry scarlet are available at Nine West in the SABCO Centre. From RO50
1 See clothes as an extension of your professional brand. Dress as you’d like to be seen. 2 Always wear appropriate clothing for the task at hand. 3 Less is more when it comes to office wear and accessories.
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HEALTH& BEAUTY
Health
Fashion
BEAUTY
ALL THAT GLITTERS
SHOPS
From statement gems to gorgeous gold, Penny Fray picks this season’s key jewellery trends Once upon a time, there was a precious metal called gold. And beautiful as it was, it became a bit too bling thanks to Bollywood’s ‘more is more’ philosophy. Today, however, Muscat’s stylish set are swapping their silver for yellow bullion. This time though, it’s all about keeping things simple and sculptural. Don’t layer. Instead, give your look a sharp, directional edge with hammered pendants, studs and spikes. Punk-luxe, after all, has never been hotter thanks to the likes of Valentino and Saint Laurent. For other designer numbers, look no further than The SABCO Commercial Centre, which hosts several amazing jewellery stores. If you prefer something a little more glamorous, consider the lasting trend for statement neons. Think acid bright heritage pieces and statement necklaces. J.Crew, Armani and H&M have all led the way on the high street.
SOUQ AND YE SHALL FIND Follow in the footsteps of famous fashion fiends such as Kate Moss and Sarah Jessica Parker by scouring souqs for bargains.
In the meantime, the fashion world continues its obsession with bugs, bees and butterflies. They can look a little bit young and kitsch, so handle with care if you’re over 30. Ditto – friendship and spiritual bracelets. Stay away from stacked styles and choose something simple for the luxe boho look. I always trawl through souqs for evil eye and hand pendants to make my own protection pieces. Toughen up your LBD with this studded cuff from Valentino
Alternatively, try Women’s World in the SABCO Centre. If you want something a bit more bespoke, consider up-cycling old costume pieces by spray-painting them in fluro pink, orange or yellow. Wear with a neutral t-shirt and jeans for maximum hi-lo impact. Alex Monroe’s bumble bee necklace has been on my lust-have list for ages
Y LOVES...
J.Crew comes up trumps again with its statement jewels.
Grown up glosses
There comes a time in every girl’s life when she becomes too old for bubblegum flavoured lip-gloss – sob! Thank heavens for Clinique’s new jumbo lip smoothie. The classy beauty house has squeezed the best anti-ageing ingredients like Vitamin C and powered up antioxidants so lips look and feel their healthy best. 036
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It was a pair of beautiful babouche slippers surrounded by turbaned men and the heady aroma of oud that first seduced me to the joy of souqs. Unlike the ordered sterility of modern malls, these bustling, Middle Eastern mazes seemed to ooze exoticism and intrigue. Twenty years on and little has changed. I still love a good souq. They seem to seethe with the stew of humanity as people from all walks of life haggle for silks, scents and spices. Here, you’ll get everything from an embroidered kaftan to an evil eye pendant for a couple of rials. Every important town in Oman has at least one souq. The biggest and most famous of these, of course, is in Muttrah - but you’ll find modern versions in the most unlikely of places, including SABCO Commercial Centre. Of course, it doesn’t offer as authentic an experience as the traditional market. It’s tiny and traders don’t seem to cajole passersby to buy their wares in quite the same way. In short, it’s a more genteel introduction to the souq experience. Consider it a mini replica of Muttrah with its narrow alleyways, scented air and abundance of tourist trinkets – camel key ring anyone? Next time: TRENDY TIME PIECES Sponsored by
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CARS AND inDOORS
FOSSIL FINDER
Clues to the beginnings of Oman are to be found in the Al Huqf desert region
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CARS AND OUTDOORS INDOORS
My Hood
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Destination
South Al Huqf Jerzy Wierzbicki takes a trip back to the past in an area rich with geological sights and finds Words and images: Jerzy Wierzbicki 038
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Indoors
photographical record. My car and I travelled many kilometers on the deserts between Mahout and Duqm looking for any signs of the long extinct lives. These are located in South Huqf, an area that I call ‘Oman’s Instant Desert’, because, like instant coffee, everything can be produced quickly. Whatever kind of desert surface you want, whether rocky, sandy, flat, dunes or marked by stony wadis, you can find it instantly in South Huqf. A few months ago, I finally struck lucky. I stumbled on a completely fossilised coral reef, with plenty of ancient remains of small animals in the rocks. Quickly, I installed a macro lens on my camera and started capturing the ancient forms. With one fossil, I could clearly make out the spine of the creature that would have inhabited the land around 50 million years ago. After this photo session, I did some Internet research and asked my friend, a geologist who works for an oil company, about these rocks. He told me about some potential interesting places south of Duqm and I made a mental note to visit soon. On my way back from Dhofar a few weeks ago, I got my chance. A
few kilometres from Duqm, I pulled over and started looking over the stones and rocks in the local wadis. My last stop was the well-known Rock Garden in Duqm, where more signs of prehistoric coral reefs can be found. However, fossil finders are not the only ones who should visit this part of the country. The diversity of the environment is interesting in its own right. The sand dunes come in different hues from a burnt orange to golden yellow and pale white. There are many types of rocks from different periods, wadis, and unusual shaped stones typical of the whole Al Huqf area, all spread out over more than 100 kilometers in this central part of Oman. Come here for the first trip of the new season at the beginning of autumn and head to the white beaches of the open ocean, where the weather conditions are much better than for any activities in the desert. A word of warning: The Al Huqf region is one of the most dangerous in Oman due to the varied terrain, which requires an experienced desert driver. Be careful and never travel there alone. A 4x4 vehicle is vital.
HOW TO GET THERE
travel guide
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here is so much more to the deserts of Oman than just sand dunes and camels. I should know, having travelled to every desert in the country. With this trip, I wanted to take you on a journey of discovery in more ways than one. I will show you that going somewhere is not just about seeing the obvious but opening your mind and your eyes and trying to find something a little less ordinary. The Sultanate’s deserts, for instance, can yield up much more than you would ever imagine. Oman is rich with remains of the past and among the sand and the mountains, you can discover signs of different geological periods. Go along the shoreline in Ras al Markaz and look at the massive cliffs, streaked with layers chronicling millions of years of geological changes in Oman – a perfect photo ‘gallery’ of time passing. A careful observer can spot small fossils between the rocky cracks in the mountains and deserts, especially in my favourite Wusta province. I found my first geological remains near Mahout around one-and-half years ago and started collecting a
Go to Mahout and once there, switch on the GPS locator. Drive slowly forward to Duqm. After several dozen kilometers you will see white sand dunes and dark rocks. Near Duqm on your right-hand side is a massive rock formation. In this area, you can find fossils in rocks, next to desert trees scorched by the sun. If you do find any fossils, please do not collect them. All of them are a part Oman’s heritage and should not be removed. Admire them, photograph them and leave them to be seen by other visitors.
GPS Coordinates: N20⁰36’36” N57⁰55’48”
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CARS AND INDOORS
UNDER THE DOME
DETAILS
Opening hours: Sat-Weds 8.30am1.30pm and Thurs 9am-1pm. Ticket prices: Adults 300 Baiza and Children 200 Baiza 45 exhibits The first science museum in Oman Phone: +968 246 05368
Magical museum brings the world to life and makes science fun, finds Kate Ginn and Rivaldo D’Silva
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cross section of the human body greets visitors walking into the entrance. Further along, a full human skeleton gazes out impassively from behind a glass, as a small hot air balloon suddenly floats into view and from somewhere within comes the unmistakable sound of a lion’s roar. Welcome to the Children’s Museum in Muscat where unexpected sights and sounds seem to be waiting around every corner. Chances are that, while driving along the highway, you’ve spotted the eye-catching white domes, with an appearance that wouldn’t look out of place on the set of a sci-fi movie, and wondered quite what lies inside the mysterious-looking buildings. It’s nothing sinister, of course, but if you haven’t ventured for a closer look, it might come as some surprise to discover that behind the larger of the two concrete exteriors (the smaller one contains study rooms) is a fun, interactive playground for children of all ages – and some adults too. With the new school term in the Sultanate underway for most pupils, it’s a good time to get the little grey cells working after the long summer break away from the classroom. On top of that, it’s refreshing to find an indoor activity that is fun, exercises the brain as well as the body, and provides the sort of stimulation that the i-Generation, raised on computer games and PlayStations, demands. The first surprising fact is that the Children’s Museum, next to Qurum Natural Park, has been open since 1990 – its official launch was the 20th National Day on November 17. So it’s been around a long time. The next surprising fact is that, while around 50,000 people visit each year, many children and their parents who live in the capital have never been inside. With this in mind, Y took along an eager volunteer, Rivaldo D’Silva, 12, for his first glimpse inside the dome. “It’s an unusual shape,” was Rivaldo’s opening thought, standing outside and gazing up at the building. Inside, we encountered the cross section of the human torso, which allows you to touch and see how the major organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, all fit neatly together.
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Why can you karate chop a brick and break it but not your hand?
Because it takes more force to break bones by compression than it does to break a brick by tension. Brick is also more brittle than bone. When you hit a brick with the edge of your hand at a velocity of 50kmph, the brick can only bend 0.1mm before it cracks from the bottom up to relieve the stress.
Postcards from This place is all about getting your hands and mind engaged, which is a surefire hit with any selfrespecting teenager. Rivaldo was quite taken with the chance to check out objects such as honeybee wings or bits of dust, under a microscope. There are various slides to look at. In keeping with the biological and human biology theme, we were confronted with a human skeleton. Providing fascinating insights into the human body such as this, geared towards children, means they are learning as well as being entertained. There was even an exhibit explaining what colour snot is. We decided to steer clear of that one. We couldn’t get the whisper dishes to work – they reflect sound waves, picking up noise too faint to be heard by the ear alone – but think it was probably due to our technique rather than a failing by the equipment. Even on an early Thursday morning, the museum had plenty of visitors with excited children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers, rushing around trailing their Omani and expat parents behind. Rivaldo, a pupil at the Indian School, Seeb, pronounced the mini hot air balloon ‘very cool’, although he would have liked it to soar a little bit higher up into the dome of the ceiling. The Black Hole exhibit, using a ball bearing to demonstrate how the intense magnetic field sucks objects in, was diverting, while the plasma energy sphere, which allowed you to spark up a fluorescent light, was also very amusing. Rivaldo also liked the ‘Land Like A Cat’ exhibit, which tested whether you could jump and land as lightly as a feline, and the machine that measured the speed of his karate chop. He was delighted to be the fastest at 56 kmph. There was also a test to measure your flexibility, reaction times and and grip strength, chemistry experiments which ended with a bang, and word games. A striking sculpture known as ‘Homunculus’ showed the brain’s view of the body and how it spends a large part of its time controlling the body’s tongue, fingers and face. The Ministry of Heritage & Culture has recently upgraded and modernised the museum, adding 10 new pieces, selected to tie in with the school syllabus. By the end, we were both more knowledgeable, had lots of fun and were reluctant to leave.
The largest organ in the body is actually your skin! It covers your entire body and has a surface area of around 2 square metres. Its thickness varies from 0.5mm on our eyelids to 4mm or more on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. In total, it accounts for around 16 per cent of your body weight.
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There is also a wall of optical illusions, such as this one.
Do you see a vase or two faces?
FUN FACT! Water makes up a huge part of the human body. Men are about 70 per cent water compared to 60 per cent for women. This is because men are more muscular and muscle has higher water content.
A single sneeze contains up to 5000 mucous droplets that can travel over three-and-a-half metres at a speed of 160 kilometres per hour.
We are all born with 270 bones. By adulthood, some have fused together to total 206. More than half of your bones are in your hands, wrists, feet and ankles. The skull is made up of 22 bones – 14 of which form your face.
“I’ve never been to the museum before. I didn’t even know that there was a Children’s Museum. It’s an interesting shape and looks well built. Inside, it has different zones, for illusions, chemistry and physical strength. You read what’s written and then have a go yourself and you can work with the objects, and find out what’s really happening. “I’ve been to something like this in Macau, where you could make an electrical circuit. I think there should be something like that here. We there for almost two hours and we weren’t bored. “The best bit was the shadow room. We made shapes and then you could photograph and see the silhouettes. I also liked the karate chop game, which measured how strong you were. It was quite nice to be the strongest! “Some of it needs to be updated. The facsimile machine wasn’t working. I’d like more things where you can really see something happening, rather than just through a microscope. “It’s good for all ages. I would go back in around a year’s time because you have to forget the experience and then relive the moments again.”
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UNDER THE Boardwalk
Covered travelators make it a pleasant stroll from Singapore over to the popular Sentosa Island resort
Top 5 Places To Visit: 1. The Long Bar in Raffles Hotel for the most authentic Singapore Sling on the planet 2. Orchard Road for eating and shopping 3. Singapore Zoo, particularly the ‘Night Safari’ 4. The Gardens by the Bay (expensive) or Singapore Botanic Gardens (free) 5. Sentosa Island resort
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I n d o o r s postcards from
Andrew Barrow,
Head librarian at the Ministry of Defence Military Technical College in Muscat, recommends
SINGAPORE
Greetings from the Republic of Singapore, the ‘City of Lions’, a tiny city-state sandwiched between Malaysia and Indonesia. Modern Singapore was founded in 1819 as an East India Company trading post and built up to become a fortress, protecting Britain’s South-east Asian empire. The republic has been fully independent since 1965 and, despite the misgivings of many Singaporeans at that time, it has prospered. Fly into Singapore today and you land at Changi Airport - vast, modern, efficient and invariably quiet. A 30-minute taxi ride along tree-lined motorways, or a trip on the wonderful Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, takes you straight into the heart of this vibrant, thriving metropolis. Evidence of its success as a transport and financial centre for South-east Asia can be seen all around you. It’s not as in-your-face as Dubai, but a more restrained wealth.
My Favourite Place
I have been visiting Singapore on and off since 1988 and, whenever I am there, I never miss an opportunity to visit Little India, Singapore’s predominantly Indian quarter, easily accessible by the MRT. Little India is one of the most vibrant and culturally authentic districts of Singapore, and I love it. Be warned though – don’t go if you are seeking peace and quiet. It’s very aromatic and noisy: a cacophony of car horns, bicycle bells and shouting residents. Go there to take in the sights, sounds and smells of old Singapore. Fortune-tellers, flower vendors, roasted nuts sellers and street-side newspaper suppliers are just some of the people who can be found plying their trades in the crowded lanes. Religious diversity and tolerance are evident everywhere; churches sit cheekby-jowl with Buddhist temples, Sikh temples and mosques. The Masjid Abdul Gaffoor, which beautifully blends Islamic and Indian architecture, has a sundial above the entrance – believed to be the only one in the Islamic world. Its sunburst of 25 rays denotes the names of Islam’s 25 chosen Prophets.
M erli on S tat u e
Highlights: Who could overlook the food. Singapore’s melting-pot history and its location at the meeting point of so many cultures ensure that no food craving need go unsatisfied. Whatever your fancy, whether it’s European, Chinese, Indian, Korean, Japanese, Malaysian, Indonesian or Thai, you can find it here. Even my pining for a good old-fashioned ‘fish and chips’ was easily satisfied. But Singapore has food for the mind as well as for the body. If you’re a culture vulture check out the huge number of museums, ranging from the ‘academic’ Asian Civilisations Museum to smaller ones. It also has a highly regarded symphony orchestra, which plays in its own concert hall down by Singapore Bay. Visitors with small children in tow will love the resort island of Sentosa or the East Coast Park. Don’t miss The Gardens by the Bay, a new botanic garden with two huge airconditioned, domed greenhouses. There’s also the world-class Singapore Zoo and a separate Singapore Botanic Gardens. A must do? Enjoy a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. The recipe? I’m not telling you – you’ll just have to Google it.
TH E G A R D E NS B Y TH E B A Y
Lowlights:
Two. The first is the weather. Located only 70 miles north of the Equator, Singapore is cooler than Oman but much more humid, which makes being out and about a lot more tiring than Muscat. It also rains a lot; short, heavy rainstorms, which don’t last long but fill the generously sized storm drains very quickly. The other problem is the cost: Singapore is a very expensive city, and unless you live entirely off street food and stay in budget accommodation, you will find yourself hitting your credit card heavily or paying frequent visits to the ATMs.
Souvenirs:
Souvenirs of all kinds can be found everywhere, but if you want to avoid the more obvious ‘tourist tat’, shop around Arab Street and Little India for scarves, jewellery and carvings.
Where to stay: Singapore has any number of decent hotels, and a good few budget ones too, a number of which are in Little India. A hotel to visit, if only to say that you’ve stayed there, is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. This striking building, a vast, curved boat-like structure sitting on top three tall towers, offers fabulous views over the city and has a famous rooftop ‘infinity’ pool. It’s five-star so not cheap, but it’s certainly worth a one-night visit, if only to see Singapore lit up and displayed at your feet. www.marinabaysands.com
Marin a Bay Sands Hotel
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-FI
Postcards from
Cars
Indoors
WI-FI
WORKIN’ 9-5
The Eid holiday is well and truly over. Brighten your back to work experience with these cool office gadgets, says Penny Fray
THE TECH IN YOU
CANDY CALL
Here at Y Towers we love candy. And as editor, I’m ruthless in exploiting the sweet stuff as second currency to get things done. The budget may not stretch to a bonbon butler but thanks to its touch sensor technology, The Treat Ball offers a happy compromise of dispensing a sugar rush whenever it’s needed. Available from Red5.com from RO5.
ALWAYS BY YOUR SIDE
DIGITAL ASSISTANT
Upside-down, sideways and even miles from nowhere - wherever you take it, this new Toshiba tablet knows what’s what thanks to an onboard suite of sensors including an accelerometer, compass and GPS. It even has software that deciphers your stylus scrawl into neat digital text. The Excite Write is an impressive piece of Android kit with an equally striking price tag of RO500 upwards. Go to toshibadirect.com for more details.
EDITOR’S PICK RETRO RINGER
LIVen up your office with this vintage inspired phone dock. You can buy it in a range of cool colours – plus, its accompanying app adds a rotary dial to your smartphone screen. We heart! Go to ice-phone.com for more details. RO19
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It’s the useful little gadget that everyone’s raving about. HipKey™ helps you keep an eye on your valuables. Whether keeping track of your iPhone, iPad or even confidential files, this trendy tracker will save you time by helping you find your belongings. Simply attach the device to the item of your choice and you’re ready to go. Purchase it from the iTunes store from RO40.
FIND OUT WHAT’S HIP & HAPPENING IN GADGETS
TAKE A SCREEN BREAK
Sitting all day in front of a PC monitor is bad enough without suffering from migraines too. One way to beat the eye strain is to use this BenQ monitor. It features an automatic eye protect sensor, anti-glare display and a flicker-free backlight. Plus, it even tells you when to take a break – available at Amazon.com from RO127.
NEW! NOKIA LUMIA 1020 This is no iPhone wannabe, although it does scream smartphone sass with its 41 mega pixel camera and exclusive photo apps.
without losing quality. And with Rich Recording technology, you can even capture distortion-free, stereo sound.
Take your photos to a new level by adjusting focus, shutter speed, white balance and more with easy and intuitive controls.
Powered by Windows Phone 8, it also comes with MS Office and all the unique Lumia features like Nokia Music and free voice-guided navigation.
Capture sharp, detailed HD video, and zoom in up to six times
Add on a wireless charging cover to power up without plugging in.
APP OF THE WEEK
Who needs a fly on the office wall when you can add Second Everyday to your phone? This app records a one-second video clip of your every day working life, then sorts them by date and backs everything up to Google Drive to watch at a later date. It’s free for 30 days, and then charges a 99cent fee to carry on.
THE GIRLY GADGET
It keeps you young, hydrated and healthy. No wonder supermodels and business moguls alike swear by it. We are, of course, taking about water. And the Aqua Zinger makes it taste even better by chopping up your favourite fruit and infusing it with flavour - available from Amazon.com for RO12.
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CARS AND INDOORS
Postcards from
Wi-Fi
Indoors
Cars
Geely Emgrand 8
Engine: 2.0L / 2.4L four cylinder Horsepower: 140 /160 Transmission: Six-speed automatic Top Speed: 220 / 240 kmph Price from: RO4950
Car of the Week The Geely Emgrand 8 looks the part for an executive sedan, says Joe Gill
T
he Chinese-made Geely Emgrand 8 was so new that it still had the plastic sheeting on the seats when I got into it. Certainly on the exterior and inside it reminded me of a certain famous American midsize sedan, namely the Chrysler 200, which I was lucky enough to test drive recently. Look at the big cat style headlamps and the gaping grill and it actually looks more than a little like the luxury Chrysler 300. Its size and the streamlined bodywork all gave off the right signals about the kind of car this wants to be and the way you should feel when you drive it. Essentially, the Emgrand wants to be a Chrysler for people on a lower budget. Inside, the luxurious leather upholstery and electronically adjustable seats ticked a couple of boxes. The digital gauges were in retro art nouveau style, while the main digital display featured an old-fashioned
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drawing room with a clock and, yes, a cat staring back at you. The message from all this was clear – sit back, loosen your tie, you’re in charge of a superior vehicle. Instead of a petrol gauge, the display told you how many kilometres of fuel you had left, which I liked a great deal compared to the usual inexact empty zone. The windows and sunroof were equipped with a safety trip so that if you put a hand in while they are closing they reverse seamlessly. Air conditioning took a little while to kick in but once driving, worked well. Another Geely novelty is the hand break – it’s actually a foot break tucked into the far left corner of the pedal area. Surprisingly, I got used to this quickly. Once again, this innovation is something the Emgrand shares with the Chrysler 300. Ultimately, of course, the proof of the pudding is in the
driving and, unfortunately, the Emgrand is no match for its American counterpart. The power steering impresses, and the foot break is adequate although not as responsive as its competitor, but when it comes to engine power and acceleration, the comparison breaks down. Once at a middling speed, the Emgrand can gain and hold momentum without too much effort, but from a standing start and on the overtake, the transmission just does not deliver what the car’s packaging promises. It struggles to get going where a car of this sort should effortlessly accelerate to a cruise speed. In terms of value, of course, the Geely is much more economical than the Chrysler, so let’s give it a break. The starting price is just RO4950. The question is whether owning a Geely will leave you wanting the more powerful and expensive alternative, and that’s between you, your pocket and your expectations.
They say: ‘Compressed and magnificent.’ We say: ‘A Chrysler for people on a budget.’
Check this out
Audio system with CD/MP3 and connector USB LCD onboard computer Dual front airbags ABS (Anti-lock brakes) Electronic Brake Distribution Engine immobiliser