Y issue 520, May 17, 2018 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

Raising the ice

THE INSPIRING STORY OF ANISA AL RAISI TAKE OUR ROAD SAFETY PLEDGE

13 News: INFLATION RISES IN OMAN

CATCH THE LATEST UPDATES ONLY ON WWW.Y-OMAN.COM

DESTINATION: Subaikhat TASTE TEST: Samad al Iraqi

Rejoice

YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

MAY 17 - 23 2018 / ISSUE 520 • WEEKLY

REFLECT &

PLUS!

WHAT’S ON IN TOWN IN RAMADAN TO REVAMP YOU, BODY AND SOUL

BEAUTIFUL BALI

NOVEMBER 24 / ISSUE 258

FLAUNT YOUR FROCKS

FAST AND GLOW

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Welcome to Y Magazine – your top guide to the best of Oman every week.

Fast forward R

amadan in Oman is a special time as the Holy Month brings with it a period of reflection, prayer, and charity. And, as the long days of fasting give way to the vibrant Ramadan nights, Y Magazine is here to bring you our complete guide to Ramadan 2018 in Oman for you to share in. Flip through to explore a jam-packed edition full of stories, events, and information to navigate the highlights of the Holy Month – whether Ramadan for you is already a beloved tradition, or if you’re new to Oman and experiencing it for the very first time. From a full guide to Ramadan timings for what’s on and what’s open, Ramadanrelated family events and activities, to sumptuous promotions for iftar and sohour, you’ll find it at your fingertips with Y. We also shine the spotlight on health and the Holy Month with in-depth features on safe fasting for people living with diabetes, when it’s okay to break your fast, healthy cooking tips and recipes for iftar and more. We hope you’ll keep us handy as your go-to guide throughout the weeks to come as together we celebrate the spirit and joy of Ramadan. From all of us at Y, we wish you and your family a blessed Ramadan Kareem. Happy reading!

editor@y-oman.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR Nishad Padiyarath ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER/REPORTER Hasan Al Lawati

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REPORTER Alvin Thomas

PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi

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.

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Write to us at Y Magazine, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman. MAY 17 - 23 / ISSUE 520

contents MAY

Your Oman

2018

This Week

08 Voice Of Oman Hasan al Lawati 11

News More than 170 drownings reported in Oman

13 News Airlines to fly over Empty Quarters soon

This Week Escape the summer heat and join Sports Layali at the Exhibition Hall 2 of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Movies Deadpool 2 is set to release in Oman today

Features 20

Stay connected To God and positive values in the holy month of Ramadan

Ice-cool conqueror Meet Anisa al Raisi who became the first Omani to ski the Geographic North Pole

20 Cars and Adventures 32 Destination Subaikhat 34 First Drive Aston Martin DB11 38 Y-Fi Apt Apps

19 Health and Beauty 38 Fashion Flaunt your frocks 43 Health Fast and glow

Food and Drink 44 Food Feature Right bite for Ramadan 46 Taste Test Samad al Iraqi

NEXT ISSUE... FEATURES / COFFEE WITH Y / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / BEAUTY / DESTINATION / TRAVEL / FASHION / FIRST DRIVE

COMPETITION

Presents

s s e l e c i r p e h t r o f e g d e Pl Children will write it and parents will sign it — let’s take the pledge together towards the priceless: safer roads. Y calls out children and parents to join the ‘My Road Safety Pledge’ and win fabulous prizes

oad safety awareness plays a significant role in shaping the attitudes and behaviours of children and young people – guaranteeing they become responsible drivers, passengers and pedestrians in the future. To teach children from a young age to be aware of the traffic rules and regulations, the Y magazine is once again conducting the “My Road Safety Pledge” competition. To participate in the competition children will write a “My Road Safety Pledge” on behalf of their parents

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in a custom-made card printed by Y Magazine. The “My Road Safety Pledge” card has a space wherein children can pen the pledge on behalf of their parents. The Road Safety Pledge has to be counter-signed by their parents as the purpose is also to promote the message of road safety to parents through their children. Nishad Padiyarath, editor of the Y magazine, said: “The authorities in the Sultanate have come up with new rules and are ensuring their implementation to make roads in Oman safe. In our own way we want to

In Association With

support the government in fulfilling its mission to make the country’s roads safer. The intention of this competition is to make sure that children are aware of road safety from a young age. The intention is also to involve the parents as they too need to be reminded of the importance of road safety. We want to make parents more mindful of their behaviour behind the wheel and we believe that parents taking the pledge along with their children is going to help fulfil the objective of this competition. Parents need to be more aware of their role, about crash and injury risk to children, and about behavioural strategies to ascertain safety on roads. Through this activity we hope to make parents better road safety role models for their children. We ask the children to make the pledge as creative and effective as possible as there are attractive prizes to be won.” The best three pledges will win prizes worth RO75 (first place), RO50 (second place) and RO25 (third place). Once the Road Safety Pledge is written on the supplied card, parents are requested to drop the card at designated drop boxes across Muscat.

■ Children should be taught the correct road crossing technique. ■ Parents or an accompanying adult should always hold hands of children when they are on the road. Children don’t have the understanding to cope in a traffic situation and therefore need to be constantly supervised on the road. ■ Parents or an accompanying adult should always hold hands of children when they are on the road. Children don’t have the understanding to cope in a traffic situation and therefore need to be constantly supervised on the road. ■ Make sure your child gets in and out of the car away from the traffic side. ■ Make sure all passengers including children wear a seat belt or child restraint as the new rules in Oman require back passengers too to wear seat belts. ■ Around schools be extra alert especially when driving past a stationary bus as children often run out in front of and from behind buses to cross the road. ■ As a driver, you should be very careful when reversing. Before you enter the vehicle, walk behind the vehicle to make sure there are no children behind the car and check for children and other pedestrians nearby. ■ As parents, set a good example for your children on how to be safe as a passenger, pedestrian, and driver by not speeding, by not jumping traffic lights, by not overtaking dangerously, by not shouting or yelling at other road users, or by not showing aggressive driving behaviours. ■ Instruct your child to always follow the rules for car safety – even if you are not present.

COMPETITION RULES:

● The competition is open to children aged 16 and under. ● Cards must be completed by children only and then signed by a parent or guardian. Entries will be disqualified if there is evidence of parental involvement. ● Entries received after the closing date of May 26 will not go forward to the judging stage. ● Children of employees of SABCO Media or associated companies are excluded from taking part. ● The editor’s decision is final. ● Winners will be notified by email or telephone. MAY 17 - 23 / ISSUE 520

THE VOICE OF OMAN HOW DID FIDGET SPINNERS MANAGE TO CAST A SPELL ON THE CHILDREN OF THE COMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES ERA? THE ANSWER LIES IN THE MISSING TOUCH AND FEEL FACTOR, SAYS HASAN AL LAWATI

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: Despite the visa ban on foreign workers, which has impacted property prices in Oman, experts predict that things are looking up in the long term. What are your thoughts? DR. SAMBIT DAS

was puzzled when fidget spinners, a simple twirling gadget, became so darn popular among children around the world. Parents stood in queues or made their first online purchase to get hold of these toys. What is confusing is that kids today enjoy advanced digital games that require skills, patience and knowledge. So how did fidget spinner manage — whether deliberately or not — to grab their attention? No one can claim to know the right answer, but my theory is that humans are designed to use their five senses. Touching is the one sense that was ironically overshadowed by touchscreens. To a human’s skin, screens are cold and lifeless and that missing element, I believe, ignited kids’ curiosity toward fidget spinners. And I can approve. I, along with a group of friends, am slowly converting from static RPG video games to board games, which also have digital versions. Same game, same concept, but different feels. Using your finger tips and hand palm to roll plastic dice, move wooden figures or shuffle paper cards, do add to the experience. Yes, they are slow-paced and require more time, but such games drive you to pay attention to details and appreciate the artwork, unlike video games that focus more on accomplishing missions and defeating enemies in the quickest way possible. Perhaps that is why more board game shops are popping up around the world, and more people are backing similar projects on crowd-funding portals. While virtual reality technology is getting so close to accomplishing a real-life simulation, fusing all senses in one game, the revamped old school toys will keep booming for a long time to come. Even when I introduced a basic card game to my millennial cousins, they fell in love with it. It makes me happy to see 10-year-olds shouting on top of their voice: “Can we play board games?!”

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The growth driver of real estate was demand from expatriates from Europe, the USA and the Indian subcontinent. With their steady departure, the dominos effect has set in: an inevitable slump in demand for rented apartments/villas. Given the prevailing bearish market sentiments, investing substantial amounts of money on foreign soil is not a sound decision as property values are generally dropping and they don’t fetch very good resale prices at the moment. However, there’s a silver lining in the seemingly gloomy picture. New generation Omanis, with freshly created jobs in government and private sectors, will make a small but significant impact on real estate given the availability of EMI options and their longterm earning potential. And if some of them prefer the new trend of nuclear families, it will help offset the current demand downturn. On the other hand, replacement of experienced expatriates with cheaper, less experienced labour forces isn’t good for the economy. A family earning less will spend less. This will lead to two or three low-income families getting together to hire and share a flat or villa.

ANTHONY CARLTON

The view of the real estate or economic experts will see the light of day only if oil prices improve steadily in the medium-tolong term. Oman needs other sectors also to start contributing to the economy. Visa rules relaxation and low-budget hotels will help increase tourist footfall. Positive sentiments are definitely good, and they can become a reality with a steely focus and collective action.

WRITE TO US AND YOU COULD WIN

SUNIL JOHN MARTIN

Oman is an unspoilt destination just waiting to be explored. So once the visa ban on foreign workers is lifted, property prices will look up once again. Workers are keen on coming to one of the most peaceful and safest nations in the world. Progress is on the fast track with the Batinah Expressway just completed and many more projects lined up in the future. So the temporary dull phase will pass off and the boom will be back once again. It’s just a matter of time.

MOHAN ANANDAN

The prediction appears to be too optimistic, given the ground realities that exist today. However, things could change for the better if there be a significant economic and industrial growth at macro level propelled by a rise in crude oil prices. This will not only help the government to bridge the budgetary deficit gap but also lead to resumption of halted projects by the government and or more spending by it on new infrastructural and other developmental projects. This will create more employment opportunities for citizens who may migrate to the cities thus boosting the demand for properties and residential accommodation.

RIYAM AL HASHLY

You don’t need any expert to make postulations on something so straight and simple — a rise is always followed by a fall, and vice versa. Demand for flats and villas is low at the moment but that is not going to be the situation forever. The fall will soon be followed by a rise, and that’s the inevitable fact of life. The problem is: how are we going to

Dinner for two at Le Jardin restaurant

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live out the bad times? It’s a bit of struggle, no doubt. A long, hard struggle that we find tough to cope with. But oil prices are picking up, and that is a sure sign of hope. Things are getting better, or at least there are signs that things will change for the better. Let’s be optimistic.

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KOUSAR KHAN was spotted with his favourite Y Magazine in Muscat

ARJUNA SAMARNYAKE

When demand was high, real estate agents and owners of flats and villas were gripped by an insatiable greed to make money. They just kept on raising rents and did not bother to kick out those who could not afford the rocketing rents. Now it’s the time of the tenant to exercise his right. I really enjoy the scene. Some landlords were so inconsiderate that they refused to even meet their long-term tenants who wanted to “discuss” the raise. “Take it or leave” — that was the attitude. I don’t want to say every landlord was behaving this way, but a lot of them were. Exceptions were there, but their number was abysmally low.

USHA NAMBIAR

The rents in most areas were unreasonably high a couple of years ago. They were so steep that one had to hand out one’s entire monthly paycheck to the landlord. A return to a situation like that is undesirable but I agree that the rents as well as the salaries need to go up a bit so that all people involved — the landlord and the tenant — got some cash to spend.

New Debate: Oman’s Ministry of Manpower is regularly monitoring and cracking down on late salary payments by companies in the private sector, thanks to the newly implemented wage protection system. Are you receiving your salary on time? Share your view with us and you could be in with a chance of winning dinner for two.

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PHOTO: Aayesha Nabihah Ahmed

MAY 17 - 23 / ISSUE 520

YOUR

ADVANTAGE ASTON

OMAN

AL HASHAR GROUP HAS LAUNCHED THE ALL-NEW ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE IN OMAN.

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GALLERY

NEWS

TWO KILLED IN ROAD CRASH

wo Omanis have been killed in a car crash when their 4WD vehicle collided with another 4WD vehicle in the wilayat of Mudhaibi. Two people were seriously injured, while a third person escaped with minor injuries in the accident. The Royal Oman Police (ROP) said: “The accident occurred at 4.30pm on Saturday at Sinaw in the wilayat of Mudhaibi.” Mohamad Al Duwaiki, a relative of the deceased, said the deceased had bought the car last year. The man and the woman killed in the accident leave behind six and nine children respectively, according to Mohamad. He also said he was generous to others. “His house in the wilayat of Amerat was open for the people of Sinaw village. The people of his village who had medical

appointments in Muscat used to stay at his house, and he provided them with food, etc.,” he said. His relative added that the victim was a selfmade man and very active in real estate and contracting sectors and had his own company, Duqmsand. Last week, two young Indian expats died and a third was critically injured after their car smashed a street lamp near the Muttrah flyover in Muscat. On April 30, two children were killed and their father is battling for life in hospital after their motorcycle collided with another vehicle in a horrific road accident at Shinas. According to recent data released by the police, in 2017, a total of 3,845 accidents occurred, down from 4,721 of the previous year. Some 640 deaths occurred in 2017, compared with 692 in 2016. Some 3,134 people were injured in 2017, compared with 3,261 people in 2016. Some 2,124 accidents occurred during the day in 2017, compared with 2,584 in 2016. The number of accidents at night in 2017 stood at 1,721, compared with 2,137 in 2016. As many as 417 Omanis lost their lives in 2017, and 89 of them were females. The number of expats who lost their lives in road accidents stood at 223. Speeding was the most common cause of accidents (2,261 in 2017, down from 2,499 in 2016). Negligence (552 compared with 672) and improper behaviour (521 compared with 705) were the other causes of accidents and deaths on the roads.

MORE THAN 170 DROWNINGS REPORTED IN OMAN

man witnessed one drowning incident every three days in 2017, according to new statistics from the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance. Figures released by the authority showed there were 173 cases of drowning in 2017, a decrease of 95 cases compared with the previous year when 268 incidents were recorded. In a new summer swimming advisory, the authority

said: “We confirm that lack of monitoring children while swimming and failure to follow safety regulations are the most significant causes of drowning in Oman. “Drowning is frequent in the summer. Many families go to water sites, valleys and beaches. Some do not follow public safety rules and face the danger of drowning.” The authority called on people to be careful when they go out on cruises, or holidaying in valleys and other bodies of water. MAY 17 - 23 / ISSUE 520

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YOUR

POWERFUL

OMAN

AL JENAIBI INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOBILES, THE EXCLUSIVE IMPORTER AND AUTHORISED DEALER OF ROLLSROYCE MOTOR CARS IN OMAN, HAS OFFICIALLY UNVEILED THE NEW ROLLS-ROYCE CULLINAN.

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GALLERY

NEWS

INFLATION RISES IN OMAN

he inflation rate in the Sultanate, calculated in terms of consumer price index (CPI), rose marginally by 0.58 per cent in April 2018 compared with that of the same period in 2017, according to the data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The marginal increase in inflation was driven by a rise in cost of major segments such as education which rose 4.90 per cent, a rise in transport cost by 2.47 per cent and a rise in furnishing and household equipment by 1.27 per cent in April 2018 over that of the same period last year. However, foods and non-alcoholic beverages witnessed a marginal 0.72 per cent fall in April this year compared with that of the same period last year. Among foods and non-alcoholic beverages, a marked fall of 11.48 per cent was witnessed in vegetables, while prices of fish and seafood declined by 5.53 per cent. However, prices of fruits and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 4.57 per cent and 1.75 per cent respectively in April. Compared with that of the previous month, the consumer prices index rose only by 0.23 per cent, mainly due to a

stable trend in several products. The average inflation rate between January and April 2018 edged up by 0.56 per cent over that of the same period last year. The average cost of education in the first four months of 2018 soared by 4.90 per cent, transport by 2.13 per cent, furnishing and household equipment by 1.76 per cent and non-alcoholic beverages by 1.70 per cent.

AIRLINES TO FLY OVER

EMPTY QUARTERS SOON

he authorities in Oman and Saudi Arabia will open up the airspace over the Empty Quarters which will cut travel time and costs. In a statement on Monday, the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) said: “As part of the efforts to increase the absorption capacity of Omani airspace, it will open new air routes to the west over the Empty Quarters in collaboration with Saudi airspace.” These routes will reduce the duration of incoming flights to Oman’s airports, save expenses and attract more air services.

COMPANY PENALISED FOR

DUMPING IN PUBLIC PLACES

he urban inspection department of the Municipality of Muscat in Bausher has penalised a company in Misfah for dumping residues of marble products in public places, thereby distorting public landscape. Muscat Municipality has been conducting a campaign to spread awareness among construction contractors and workers on how to clear the debris on time, keeping public safety and hygiene in mind. The civic body has warned that it is the responsibility of landlords and contractors to clear the debris and construction materials so that they do not cause hazards or obstructions to the public. Violations of the rules include hefty fines. MAY 17 - 23 / ISSUE 520

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YOUR

INSPIRING

OMAN

MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE LISTENED TO 10 INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL SPEAKERS AT THE ONE-DAY TEDXMUSCAT EVENT HELD AT VOX CINEMAS.

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NEWS

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YOUR

TALENT HUNT

OMAN

THE KOOOORA WA BAS TALENT HUNT GRAND FINALE WAS HELD AT SHERATON OMAN HOTEL RECENTLY. THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY SABCO MEDIA.

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White is the new black. Photography and concept by: Yamin al Balushi Make-up artist: Miad Hassan Henna artist: Sara al Balushi

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THE WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ON GUIDE

The 13th annual Australian budget review seminar will be held on Sunday, May 27, at InterContinental Muscat at 7pm. The free seminar will discuss the 2018 Australian budget. The seminar will be presented by Steve Douglas, cofounder and managing director of Australasian Taxation Services (ATS) and chairman of SMATS Group. He is a chartered tax adviser, fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia and a registered tax agent.

Souq Layali will be held at the Exhibition Hall 5 of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. It will be a place to shop during Ramadan â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a market featuring Omani specialities, clothing, jewellery and accessories, beauty products, personal care, perfumes, home appliances, electronics, handicrafts, souvenirs and collectibles.

SOUQ LAYALI RAMADAN

BUDGET SEMINAR

MAY

THIS

WEEK M

WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

The Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) will host Layali Ramadan once again with a variety of activities. Combining traditional celebrations with state-of-theart facilities, Layali Ramadan will run from May 17 to June 6, providing a warm and welcoming place to families, friends and colleagues. As part of Layali Ramadan corporate Iftar can be booked at the OCEC which offers a dedicated private space for up to 1,000 guests. Enjoy fivestar catering brought to you by InterContinental Muscat that is sure to please your guests.

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SPORTS LAYALI

Escape the summer heat and join Sports Layali at the Exhibition Hall 2 of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. Book the only indoor air-conditioned football pitch in Muscat for your friends or colleagues. Visit the sports zone for fun-filled activities for the whole family.

MAY

LAYALI RAMADAN

MOVIES MOVIES FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TIMES, GO TO: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net VOX Cinemas: oman.voxcinemas.com Star Cinema: Tel +968 24791641

Uncle Cast: Gireesh Damodar, Mamootty, Karthika , Joy Mathew

Deadpool 2 Cast: Davi Leitch, Brianna Hildebrand, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Ryan Reynolds, TJ Miller After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfil his dream of becoming Mayberry’s hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavour – finding a new

Accident Cast: Stephanie Schildknecht, Roxane Hayward, Tyrone Keogh

The film is based on a series of unfortunate events that befall two young women, Jess and Caroline, who are gearing up to attend a music concert in Northern California. Caroline, played by Roxane Hayward, decides

Uncle is a Malayalam-language film written and co-produced by Joy Mathew. Directed by debutant Girish Damodar, Uncle revolves around a nuclear family, stuck in the social and political backdrop of Kerala. It will also look at a girl, 17, and the bond she shares with her father’s best friend, whom she fondly calls Uncle. Oman Release: May 17, 2018

Interrogation Cast: Julia Benson, Adam Copeland, Erica Carroll taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World’s Best Lover. Oman Release: May 17, 2018

it would be a good idea to catch a ride with acquaintances of theirs, as opposed to taking the bus down to the festival as previously agreed. The plan to drive down with the friends does not pan out, and the girls are forced to hitchhike. The plot is about how a group of teenagers suffer a terrible accident during a joyride and get trapped at the bottom of a ravine. Oman Release: May 17, 2018

After the FBI receives a threat that endangers the entire city, an interrogator (Copeland) and an IT specialist (Perry) are plunged into a series of mind games with a criminal mastermind, racing against time to uncover the villain’s true agenda as they fight to protect thousands of lives. Copeland and Perry deliver a knockout blow in this electrifying thriller that crackles with edge-of-your-seat suspense. Oman Release: May 17, 2018

Ee. Ma. Yau Cast: Lijo Jose Pallissery, Chemban Vinod, Dileesh Pothan, Vinayakan

N WI

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION Who is the director of Deadpool 2? LAST WEEK’S WINNER Rajani Sharma

WIN FREE MOVIE TICKETS! Read our movie section and answer the question to stand a chance to win two tickets to watch movies of your choice! Send your answers to info@y-oman. com, along with your contact information. Tickets must be collected from Y’s Seeb offices in person only. For the rest of the terms and conditions, see voucher.

Ee. Ma. Yau is a Malayalam-language satire film directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery and written by PF Mathews. The story revolves around the funeral of Vavachan and the fight between his two wives and family members for rights. Vavachan’s final wish was to have a grand funeral and his son had promised the same to him. Oman Release: May 17, 2018

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Ramadan REFLECTIONS OF

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ramadan and Muscat has embraced the mood of the holy month. Team Y takes a peek at the events lined up to revamp you, body and soul 020

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THE MONTH OF RAMADAN (IS THAT) IN WHICH WAS REVEALED THE QURAN, A GUIDANCE FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE CLEAR PROOF FOR GUIDANCE AND CRITERION. SO, WHOEVER SIGHTS (THE NEW MOON OF) THE MONTH, LET HIM FAST IT; AND WHOEVER IS ILL OR ON A JOURNEY — THEN AN EQUAL NUMBER OF OTHER DAYS. ALLAH INTENDS FOR YOU EASE AND DOESN’T INTEND FOR YOU HARDSHIP AND WANTS FOR YOU TO COMPLETE THE PERIOD AND TO GLORIFY ALLAH FOR THAT (TO) WHICH HE HAS GUIDED YOU: AND PERHAPS YOU WILL BE GRATEFUL. SURAH AL-BAQARAH 2:185

uslims around the world began the first day of Ramadan at dawn today (Thursday, May 17) to receive the blessings of God. From waking up in the early hours for a quick bite and sip of water to patiently waiting for the call to prayer at sunset to break fast, the days are never going to be like any other before for the observers.

What is Ramadan?

The Islamic calendar’s most important month, Ramadan, is a time of reflection and piety, marking the lunar period in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) received his first revelations. Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, the other four are Faith (Shahadah), Prayer (Salah), Charitable Giving (Zakah), and the Pilgrimage to Makkah (Haj). For observers, this period is respected by increasing time spent in prayer and with loved ones.

How do Muslims observe Ramadan?

The beat of the city slows down, and time is taken to reflect, refresh and grow spiritually. While different countries celebrate the holy month in different ways, fasting between sunrise and sunset, regular prayer, acts of charity and modesty are encouraged in an atmosphere of giving and empathising with the less fortunate members of the community during Ramadan.

opportunity to join in delicious iftar (after sunset) and suhoor (before sunrise) feasts with family and friends. Fruits, sweetened grains, yoghurts and puddings are the main features of a suhoor meal. If you are visiting the city, you have the opportunity to celebrate Ramadan with hotels and restaurants offering special iftar meals. Iftar feasts, served at sunset, are your best opportunity to experience traditional Omani cuisine, as iftar tents and majlis present a plethora of mouth-watering regional delicacies. If you’re lucky enough to be invited to an Omani friend’s home, be prepared for a night of celebration that often lasts through to the early hours. With the holy month upon us, team Y rounds up an exciting bevy of events and activities, iftars and suhoors, gatherings and celebrations — all of which embrace the spirit of the season. Take a look. ›

Do I need to fast?

Regardless of one’s faith, Ramadan can be a special month in Oman. Fasting is not required for non-Muslims. However, you are welcome to try fasting for a day and everyone is respectfully asked to be considerate of those who are practising by refraining from eating, drinking and smoking in public areas during daylight hours. Non-fasters don’t have to go hungry: it is business as usual at many restaurants, and they need to merely pull down blinds to shield diners from public view.

What is iftar and suhoor?

Once the sun sets on a day of fasting, it’s a joyous occasion of eating and meeting. One of the best ways to celebrate the auspicious month is the MAY 17 - 23 / ISSUE 520

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Lavish iftar buffets Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa

You can have a lavish iftar buffet for RO19++ at the Bandar Hotel after sundown, and suhoor (minimum order is pegged at RO6) at The Tent from 9pm to 1.45am.

Intercontinental Muscat

The Musandam Café and Terrace Restaurant offers memorable iftar for RO18. You can dine and get a chance to win weekly raffle prizes or a family weekend in Dubai for the grand prize.

Grand Hyatt Muscat

Gorgeous iftar buffets are available every evening at Al Majlis-Mokha Cafe where you can experience a delectable range of oriental-Arabian food, including juices and laban, throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Relax and indulge in the airconditioned tent for RO20 net per person.

Sheraton Oman Hotel

Grand iftar buffets will be available every evening at the Courtyard restaurant where a rich array of Arabian special dishes, a fine selection of hot and cold starters, popular Ramadan desserts and a selection of traditional drinks such as Tamar Hindi, Laban and Qamar El Deen awaits the diner. You can enjoy your food listening to authentic oud melodies throughout the holy month of Ramadan amid beautiful settings. Open every day from sunset to 9pm, the iftar buffet will cost RO15 net per person.

Hormuz Grand Hotel

Buffet is available daily from 6.30pm and is priced at RO17 net per person at the Straits Restaurant. Booking is recommended. There will be live oud performances. At the Qureshi bab Al Hind restaurant, buffet, available daily from 6:30pm, is priced at RO17 net per person. Booking is recommended, and group bookings for 15 guests and above will enjoy a 15 percent discount for the first 10 days of Ramadan. Iftar at Omny Brasserie, available daily from 6:30pm, is priced at RO18 per person.

Sumptuous suhoor Cloud Base

Offering Omani and Mediterranean cuisines, the chill-out rooftop lounge will be open exclusively for suhoor from 9pm to 2am. The rooftop eatery includes air-conditioned private cabanas and it starts serving a variety of flavours from 8.30pm.

Al MakanCafé

From 9pm to 2am, Al Makan cafe will be serving a special menu for suhoor, consisting of ‘Ramadan-friendly’ items. Al Makan is known for serving continental dishes from all over the world, including traditional Omani cuisine.

The Palace

The Indian and continental restaurant located near Panorama Mall will stay open from sunset to midnight. Iftar buffet will cost you RO8.5 while Sahur will be available for RO6 per head.

Mumtaz Mahal

The luxurious Indian restaurant will offer a very special Ramadan menu that includes Karkade and Qamaruldeen juices, heavy appetisers and main courses, all for RO9.5 only per person (including desserts).

Healthy Kitchen

To avoid oily, unhealthy iftar meals, Healthy Kitchen will deliver you 022

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iftar two meals ((only 100gm in carbs each) in addition to dates, fresh juice and hot snacks for RO95 from the first day of Ramadan to the last day of the holy month.

Fun indoors

The Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) will be hosting Layali Ramadan, an event where corporations, families, children, sports enthusiasts, and shoppers can gather together to rejoice during the holy month of Ramadan.

Shopping

The OCEC will run Souq Layali, a market featuring Omani specialities, clothing, jewellery, beauty products, perfumes, home appliances, electronics, handicrafts, souvenirs and collectibles.

Be sporting

You could book Oman’s only air-conditioned football pitch at the OCEC sport zone. Also, you could challenge your friends to a game of table tennis, held in hall 3. Running along with Layali Ramadan and organised by the Oman Table Tennis Committee (OTTC), the event will bring together participants to play friendly games as well as competitive tournaments.

Game for it?

Win tickets to attend El Classico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, or any game of your choice, at La Liga by winning the FIFA 18 or PES 2018 PlayStation tournaments. Co-located with Layali Ramadan and organised by Golden Joystick, the event will take place in OCEC Concourse 3. Oman’s biggest PlayStation tournament will take place between May 24 and 29 for FIFA 18 and between May 31 and June 5 for PES 2018. There will be a registration fee of RO10.

For the lazy ones

Geek Owl Oman, a new group of board game enthusiasts, are holding daily gaming sessions, open for all during the holy month, where geeks could meet after prayers to learn new board and card games over snacks and juices at different locations in Muscat.

Dos & don’ts for expats ● Do not eat or drink in public during fasting hours. ● Meetings are fine, but no work lunches. Those fasting will be open to meeting colleagues outside office for work purposes. They will even be courteous enough to entertain you if you accidentally invite them for a work lunch, though they may not eat anything. Therefore, avoid work lunches as much as possible. Schedule meetings early in the morning, or a couple of hours before iftar. ● Iftar is a special meal. It’s the meal you have after ending the fast for that particular day. So, if you are a non-Muslim who is invited by a Muslim friend for iftar, you should not refuse, and you should certainly not say you won’t eat because you are not fasting. ● Please be a little flexible. If you have a friend or a colleague who is fasting, please understand if you see they are low on energy. Fasting for a whole day is not easy. Even if you eat and hydrate yourself at night and early morning, the body will soon run out of energy during day. ● Don’t tell your Muslim friends you want to fast to lose weight. Ramadan is not about fasting to lose weight. It’s about teaching yourself discipline. It’s about abstinence, about keeping yourself pure. It’s something you should follow everyday of year. In fact, most people who fast during Ramadan end up gaining weight. This is because of irregular eating patterns and heavy meals at iftar. There’s nothing wrong with fasting as a non-Muslim.

ICE-COOL

ICON After braving shifting ice 10 hours a day for eight days in -40°C, the first Omani woman to ski the Geographic North Pole says she is ready for the next challenge. Nishad Padiyarath meets the ice-cool lady

woman like Anisa al Raisi lives to raise the bar. At 34, she just achieved an extraordinary feat of becoming the first Omani woman to ski the Geographic North Pole in eight days. “You should never give up on an opportunity. I am the type of person who goes for an opportunity. I look for an opportunity and if I feel there is a challenge, I will grab it,” she said speaking exclusively to the Y magazine. Last month, Anisa joined the ‘Women’s Euro Arabian North Pole Expedition 2018’ led by British polar explorer Felicity Aston, MBE, and set off for a challenging expedition where she managed to ski over 80km on the treacherous terrain at the top of the world and reach the destination in less than eight days. Anisa is an engaging storyteller. “It was a rewarding experience. It felt

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DON’T LET ANY OBSTACLES STOP YOU. DON’T LIVE ON THE EXPECTATIONS OF OTHERS. YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE CAPABLE OF UNTIL YOU TRY IT. really great to have the Sultanate’s flag at the Geographic North Pole where we could only reach after going through numerous challenges, like the unpredictable weather conditions that can reach as below as -40 degrees C, the physical and mental tiredness,” she told Y at the Omantel headquarters on Sunday. Anisa and the Euro-Arabian team slept in tents on the ice when they were not skiing, and hauled in sledges everything they need to survive in the Arctic. “You know life offers you so many challenges but it’s all about how you tackle them,” she said. “You walk miles and miles, but the view does not change. We couldn’t even talk to each other due to the strong wind and I felt all alone. All we could do was to concentrate on our goal and keep going on,” she explained. The most important lesson she learnt from this trip is perseverance. “The hardest part for me was not the physical but mental part of it of course. Literally, 10 hours a day you will witness the same view and it never changes. I was in a situation where I could not talk to anyone because my face was covered and it was all myself for 10 hours. The biggest lesson I learnt is to set a goal and push yourself to achieve that,” she said. Despite skiing for around 10 hours a day in harsh conditions, Anisa and the rest of the team have gained weight. “We have added fat and lost muscles. A specialised team of researchers have examined us to find out what impact do extreme conditions have on women,” she commented. “I had a talk with the students of the British School Muscat before I left for this trip and one small girl came up to me and said: I want to be like you. And every time when I used to feel tired during the trip, it was the face of this girl that came to my mind. That’s what I’ve learnt – never give up!” she said. Asked what would be her advice to the Omani woman who wants to take up similar challenges, the young explorer had this to say: “Don’t let any obstacles stop you. Don’t live on the expectations of others. You don’t know what you’re capable of until you try it.” Ali Bakshit Kashoob, senior manager of marketing communications at Omantel, said: “Anisa has made us all very proud. Making her way to the top of the world proves once again that Omani women can reach everywhere with their dedication and hard work.” “At Omantel, we are keen on supporting inspiring youngsters like Anisa who encourage other youngsters to push beyond their limits and make big achievements. Our support to Anisa is also in line with Omantel’s new brand campaign: Amazing Happens Together.”

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eating

the odds Cancer that struck her twice doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop her but the stares she gets on the street do. Smile please, says Yana, determined to fight stigmas and abuse against women

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April 2016: Yana at a baking and women’s rights workshop to help empower ladies from the Dalit community in Rajasthan, India.

THESE THINGS CAN COME AS A SHOCK. MY ADVICE IS TO STAY OPTIMISTIC, AND HAVE FAITH fight against gender-based violence, running training in human rights, delivering consultancy in media campaigning and advocacy techniques, and running baking therapy workshops. Yana fought against practices such as female genital mutilation, early forced marriage, bride kidnapping, domestic violence, and human trafficking in many countries. “(I) can say that the first step is to realise that these are human rights abuses, not cultural traditions, and must be challenged rigorously,” she said, adding that “educating communities is the key to prevention. Knowledge is power”. Years later, Yana was diagnosed with lymphoma, another form of cancer. However, it did not stop her from doing what she loves the most. “These things can come as a shock. My advice is to take things a step at a time, stay optimistic, and have faith,” she said, while praising the medical team at the Royal Hospital who “have been amazingly positive and caring”. She added: “They even took the time to carefully explain things to my son, and reassure him that his mum would be fine after the treatment.” Asked about how the poem made her feel, Yana said: “I was really touched. It has been a very worrying time for him with me being sick so I am glad he has put his energy into something positive. I am blessed to have such a thoughtful and compassionate son.” “The community here in Oman has also done all they can to be helpful, which has given me a lot of faith in human kindness,” she added. But what bothers Yana and Matvey the most is the looks they get from people as she wears a

scarf to cover the baldness that she got from chemo therapy. “Unfortunately I do get stares, which is upsetting for all the family. It would be better if people didn’t do it – an encouraging smile instead would help. There is a lot of stigma attached to this illness. More often than not, cancer is not a death sentence, just a fact of modern life. I am on the road to recovery, and can’t wait to ditch the headscarf and go travelling with Matvey!” ■

Mummy My Dove

truck in her 20s by lung cancer, the young mum recovered to bake support for poor, abused women. Hit again by the dreaded disease years later, she was moved by “amazingly positive and caring” community in Oman. What remains unchanged all along the way, and forever, is her passion to help less fortunate women. We got to know about the inspiring tale of this wonderful mother and her brave battle and solemn vow to devote the rest her life to offer a helping hand to hapless women through Matvey. Matvey is Yana’s son, aged 10. He wrote a beautiful poem that put together the life and struggle of his “mummy my dove” who is “soaring in the air” despite her “chemo and cancer” and sent it to the Y magazine. That was not the sort of emotion the panel of experts who were judging the entries to the Mother’s Day contest organised by Y in association with Puck was expecting from children who were asked to design posters expressing love for their mothers. Yana was diagnosed with a rare type of lung cancer a few days after she gave birth to her son. Amid the distressing treatment process, she took an oath to find a better purpose in life if she got cured. She was in her 20s when doctors successfully removed the tumour. She then embarked on a journey to support less fortunate women who suffer from abuse. Fuelled by goodwill and her love for baking, Yana started Tamu Bakery, a project that aimed at fighting gender-based violence through the power of baking. “When I got lung cancer I made a vow that if I survived I would dedicate my life to helping poor and abused women. So I set up my own charity, Tamu Bakery, to empower vulnerable women around the world,” she explained. Tamu is a Swahili word that stands for sweet and gentle. Tamu Bakery works in partnership with grassroots organisations in the forefront of the

Matvey’s poem to his mother Yana that was sent to Y for the Mother’s Day contest. It won him a special prize and loud cheers from the gathering at the prize-presentation ceremony Mummy my dove soaring high above despite your chemo and cancer you’re still in the air still going like a ballet dancer an inspiration to many spreading hope and love where there isn’t any you are the best to have you in our lives we are truly blessed. MAY 10 - 16 / ISSUE 519

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CAPPING IT UP

ROBIN UTHAPPA REMAINS THE ONLY PLAYER WHO WORE THE ORANGE CAP AND WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR HIS TEAM, IN THE 2014 SEASON. A LOOK AT THE RUN-MACHINES IN IPL HISTORY

he Indian Premier League introduced the concept of Orange Cap a week after the inception of the tournament. The player with the most number of runs to his name on each day of the season will enter the field by wearing the designated cap. The overall leading run-scorer at the end of the tournament will receive the actual ‘Orange Cap’ on the day of final. In the 2018 edition, Rishabh Pant, Kane Williamson, Ambati Rayudu, Virat Kohli and Jos Butler have scored more than 500 runs and top the chart in that order. Let us look at some of the interesting facts about the cap. 1) First player to wear the cap Brendon McCullum was the first player to wear the cap. Because of his breathtaking knock of 158 on the season opener, the New Zealander topped the run chart in the first week of the inaugural season. Michael Hussey was second on the list. Virender Sehwag and Matthew Hayden shared the third place at the conclusion of the first week. 2) Different players to win the award So far, only eight different players have received the Orange Cap award in the history of the competition. Chris Gayle and David Warner were the only players to win this award twice. Sachin Tendulkar was the first Indian player to earn his honour in 2010. Only three Indian players had received this award in the last ten editions of the competition. Robin Uthappa and Virat Kohli were the other two Indians.

3) Numbers game Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bangalore won the award by scoring a mammoth 973 runs in just 16 innings during the 2016 season. In contrast, David Warner of Sunrisers Hyderabad won the award by scoring only 562 runs in the 2015 edition. Among the current teams, RCB players have won the award for the most number of times (thrice). Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad players have

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won the award twice. Barring Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals players, rest of the teams have won the award at least once. 4) Retaining the cap Chris Gayle was the first and the last player to retain the cap successfully. In the 2011 season, Royal Challengers Bangalore signed Chris Gayle as a replacement player for the injured Dirk Nannes. The Jamaican scored 608 runs from just 12 innings. His teammate Virat Kohli was second on the list. Kohli scored only 557 runs in 16 innings. In the 2012 season, RCB retained Gayle. Gayle resumed the season from where he left in 2011. This time he scored 733 runs in 14 innings. As usual, the second player on the list (Gautam Gambhir) had scored just 590 runs from 17 innings. Chris Gayle became the first player to score 700+ runs in a single IPL season. On course, he also became the only player to retain the Orange Cap.’ 5) Orange Cap in winning cause A batsman with a mountain of runs in a tournament should always end up in the winning side. However, that is not the norm with the Indian Premier League. Only once a batsman with the Orange Cap helped his side to complete the tournament as champions. Robin Uthappa of Kolkata Knight Riders was the player to achieve this rare feat. In the 2014 season, Uthappa’s sublime form helped KKR to win their second trophy in three years. During the seventh edition of the tournament, Uthappa scored 660 runs from 16 innings. In the process, he became the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to win the orange cap.

Brought to you by LAST MAN STANDING

IPL HIGHLIGHTS R

AJINKYA RAHANE FINED RS 12 LAKH FOR SLOW-OVER RATE

ajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Ajinkya Rahane has been fined Rs 12 lakh after his team maintained slow-over rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. On Sunday, the Rahane-led side outclassed the defending champions Mumbai Indians by seven wickets, courtesy a whirlwind unbeaten 94 by opener Jos Buttler who stuck his fifth consecutive fifty in the tournament. “Rajasthan Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during their IPL match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on May 13,” an IPL release said on Monday. “As it was his team’s first offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum overrate offences, Mr. Rahane was fined Rs 12 lakh,” the release said. Rajasthan Royals will play Kolkata Knight Riders at Edens Gardens on Tuesday.

ou’d expect Jos Buttler, who famously took off his towel to celebrate Mumbai Indians’ (MI) title victory last season back home, to still have some affection for his former franchise. Far from it, he took an affection to his excolleagues in the MI bowling unit, notching up his fifth straight half-century this season to give Rajasthan Royals (RR) a seven-wicket win over the hosts at the Wankhede here on Sunday. And while he dropped the towel last year, Buttler’s unbeaten 94 off just 53 balls has all but dropped MI’s hopes of making it to the play-offs this season. Chasing the hosts’ under-par 168/6, Buttler found an able ally in under-fire skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who played the perfect supporting role to his star striker. Their show started quite early, with comeback-man D’Arcy Short playing a knock that lived up to his surname once again this season. Rahane walked out on his home turf, and it was evident he was feeling at home from ball one, carving a textbook drive through covers for four. With an asking rate of just above eight an over, Rahane didn’t have to do anything silly, especially with Buttler being Buttler at the other end. Sharma brought Krunal Pandya on early, with left-arm spin being the Englishman’s apparent weakness. Bring it on, said Buttler, lofting Krunal for four over covers and sweeping a six past deep square leg in his second over. Not even leggie Mayank Markande and pacer Hardik Pandya were spared by Buttler who brought up his fifty with a crisp drive off the latter. Rahane, meanwhile, let his running do the talking at the other end as RR notched up 100 in the 13th over. Their 95-run second-wicket stand off 74 balls ended in the next over, Hardik getting Rahane holed out at long off. That’s when Sanju Samson took over, his 14-ball 26 taking RR closer to the finish line and Buttler, fittingly, crossing it with a six to remain unbeaten in the 90s for the second straight time.

Predict the winners from the matches played in India from May 17 to May 20 to win a SIM with 2GB data pack worth RO 5 from Friendi Mobile. Email us your predictions to editor@y-oman.com. *Names of the winners will be announced on May 31st. MAY 17 - 23 / ISSUE 520

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GRAB IT BEFORE IT’S GONE GET YOUR FREE COPY OF Y AT THE FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTION POINTS… Capital Region Azaiba • Amara Dermatology Clinic • Audi Showroom • Bentley Showroom • Costa Coffee • Al Fair • Jaguar Showroom • Jeep Showroom • Al Maha Petrol Station • Mazda Showroom • McDonald’s • Mitsubishi Showroom • Oman Arab Bank • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Peugeot Showroom • Range Rover Showroom • Sayarti Auto Care • Shell Select • Skoda Showroom • The Sultan Center • Volkswagen Showroom • Volvo Showroom • Yamaha Showroom Bawshar • College of Banking and Financial Studies • Dolphin Village • Modern College of Business and Science • Muscat College • Muscat Private Hospital (Emergency and Outpatients) • Oman Medical College CBD • Al Maya Hypermarket • Alizz Islamic Bank • Bahwan Travel Agencies • Bank Sohar • Copper Chimney Restaurant • Costa Coffee • HSBC • Lama Polyclinic • NBO • Oman Arab Bank • Standard Chartered Bank • Woodlands Restaurant Darsait • Indian Social Club • SPAR

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Adventures

CARS AND ADVENTURES

Cars

Y- F i

Gaming

DRIVE LIKE BOND

Exploring the all new-stylish Aston Martin DB11 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; P34

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CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

D E S T I N AT I O N C a r s

P o s t c a r d s Fr o m

Y- F i

Gaming

Destination

Subaikhat

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A CHALLENGING DRIVE THAT TAKES YOU TO AN EXCLUSIVE SPOT TO SIT QUIETLY BY AND LET THE MIND TRAVEL BACK IN TIME, THIS IS IT. SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI DISCOVERS THE NEW PLEASURES OF LIFE 032

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families sitting around the waters on a breezy afternoon to cook lunch and enjoy hot tea. But that was just wishful thinking at the moment when it’s sizzling hot, or at least until unexpected rainfalls would revive the dry wadis. While the water was deep enough to take a swim, I hesitated because of two reasons: water insects and...more water insects. The transparent water offered a good view of the bugs playing close to the surface. The twoinch-big belostoma, also known as giant water bugs, looked menacing. I do not know if they can cause a human any harm but the sight was not pleasing for me to take a plunge. I really liked the place. It was a nice getaway from the pretensions of modernity. If you want to spend a few hours of quality time all alone without getting disturbed by anything in the vicinity it is an ideal destination. Of course it is advisable to visit the place in the morning hours and one must venture out in an equipped car to enjoy wadi-bashing.

TRAVEL GUIDE

lose to the famous Wakan village that offers an irresistible opportunity to trek up the mountain to enjoy a breathtaking view — 2,000 metres down — of life thriving in tune with nature despite the odds is Subaikhat. It does not have the grandeur of Wakan and, understandably, it is not a popular tourism spot — but the place offers an interesting option for anyone who loves to enjoy a challenging drive and a couple of hours of complete solitude. Once you are through with your driving ambition and done with the rush of adrenaline, you could spend some good time relishing the cool breeze sitting under the shade of trees, maybe letting your mind travel a few years back in time. I ventured deep into the new destination nestled in the valleys on the opposite side of Wakan. The off-road leading to the wadi was so bumpy that even my truck could not cross it so we used jeeps to get closer to the wet areas. Despite going there in May, the weather was pleasant in the morning, especially in the shaded areas. I loved the landscape. I imagined people and

Take the Muscat Express Road towards Rustaq and pass through Wakan, which will be on your left, then take right. You will need a 4×4 because the path is treacherously steep with sharp curves. Keep driving and follow the road for around 10 to 15 minutes to reach the destination.

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FIRST DRIVE

CARS ADVENTURES

t’s quite hard to pinpoint the feature that makes Aston Martin one of the coolest GT carmakers of all time. Maybe it’s the fact that the world’s greatest spy, James Bond, lingers around the cities of Europe looking to garner vital intelligence in an Aston Martin; or perhaps – after all these years – it remains to be quintessentially British. There’s a certain sense of class and elegance that an Aston Martin carries along: Imagine stepping out to a flurry of cameras ready to go off at an award ceremony draped in a designer gown or suit from an Aston Martin. While all of that is undeniably lavish, the automotive scene hadn’t really seen any particular Aston Martin product – and specifically a car with the revered ‘DB’ nameplate – for over a decade. To put things into perspective, the last DBS began production in 2007, while the DB9 was put on sale in 2003! So, needless to say, we were a bit enthralled when we were handed the keys to the brand’s latest product – the Aston Martin DB11. Oh, and even

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ASTON MARTUN DB11

Swathed in expensive materials, the all-new DB in more than a decade blends style and power. Alvin Thomas bonds with the GT coupe and feels like 007 James Bond hasn’t got his hands on this car – he had to settle for his one-off million dollar DB10 supercar in Spectre. But hey, ‘11’ beats ‘10’, right? It isn’t hard to see where the DB11 gets its looks from. Aston Martin has based the car on the gorgeous-looking DB10, but with a few more sensible bits and pieces added to the mix. The long headlights have grown to become Aston’s monogram along with the traditional grille that has found its way onto every Aston Martin that we can think of. The side profile is dressed to resemble that of a coupe – which is arguably what the ‘DB’ grand tourers are all about in the first place – but unlike its predecessors, it masks its length with efficacy. A floating roof makes its way to the sloping C-pillar, while a B-pillar has been omitted completely. Meanwhile, the large vents on either side of the car are functional, and are strategically placed to delete any vortex or pressure zones that may be created by the spinning tyres. Aston keeps its signature hook-shaped tail lamps on the chiselled posterior. It looks aggressive – and more so with the dual sports exhausts. There’s no visible diffuser (like what you would find in the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso) or spoiler in the rear, though, but the boffins state that the sharp rear-view mirrors coupled with the flared arches on the rear quarter of the car are capable enough to channel air through two flaps on either sides of the C-pillars to increase the overall downforce and stability at high speeds. After spending a day with the car, we agreed with them too. The interior, however, is where the DB11 steals the show. Million-dollar luxury yacht interiors are less swanky than the insides of this car; trust us,

we’ve been around in a few. Sure, the inspirations from Aston Martin’s alliance with Mercedes-Benz is evident upon stepping into the cabin, but everything from the contrast stitching on all the panels and the (almost square-ish) steering wheel, to the sloping centre console and the a/c vents are what you’d expect to see on a cruise liner or maybe shapes you’d normally see in (late) Alexander McQueen’s fashion lines. Attention to detail is what sets

Destination

P o s t c a r d s Fr o m

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS

ASTON MARTIN DB11 Specifications: Engine: 5.2-litre twinturbocharged V12 Transmission: Eight-speed ‘ZF’ automatic Horsepower: 600hp Torque: 700Nm Top Speed: 322kph Rear-wheel drive 8-inch touchscreen 360-degree birds-eye view system 400-Watt Aston Martin audio system Memory front seats and mirrors LED headlights Ventilated disc brakes Torque vectoring (by braking) Satellite navigation system Cruise control with speed limiter

this car apart from the rest – and the British (for once) can take credit for that here. Each line on either seat is symmetrical, despite being hand-stitched. This is also the case with the arm rest on the centre console, the inserts on the door and even in places in the cabin where your eyes would normally not visit. Speaking of which, Aston Martin designers have covered the headliner in highgrade Alcantara. Also added to the interior is the new 12-inch TFT LCD display on the gauge cluster. This all-new screen presents all the primary vehicle information you will require, while a second, centrally mounted 8-inch dedicated infotainment touchscreen takes control of all the other in-car functions. The latter is a welcome change from the dreadful Volvo-based systems of old. We also admired the ease of the Mercedes-derived rotary control with the touchpad for character recognition, and multi-touch and gesture controls. The list is completed by a 360-degree birds-eye view camera and a 400-Watt Aston Martin audio system, among many, many other features. Like all Aston Martins, the DB11 also has a front-engine (and almost mid-engine) layout, meaning it harbours its beating heart – a 5.2-litre twin-

turbocharged V12 – under the hood. The result from the marriage is 600hp and an astonishing 700Nms of torque. The drivetrain is completed by an eight-speed ‘ZF’ automatic gearbox that sends power to the rear wheels. So, how’s the performance? In one sentence, we’d say that under normal circumstances, it drives like any other grand touring car. But there’s more to the DB11 than what meets the eye – and it’s something that you can only explore once you’ve taken your RO100,000-plus GT car to a closed road or a racetrack. It doesn’t take much to realise that you’re plodding around in a GT car and not a sports car, albeit it could be because of the supple dampers that can really mimic the ride comfort of a competitive Audi or Mercedes-Benz. But, switch it into ‘Sport +’ mode and you’ll find that the car comes alive – and it’s best to stay awake and at the height of all your senses at all times. The engine doesn’t particularly feel turbocharged and we had to constantly remind ourselves not to play with the limits. The power and torque delivery are extremely linear – and almost similar to what you’d expect from a naturally aspirated engine. Sure, the forced induction becomes apparent from the muffled, yet soulful, exhaust note that bellows

from the exhaust when you put your foot down a bit. Upon doing so, you’ll also be hitting the 100kph mark from a standstill in 3.9 seconds. That’s seriously impressive from a car that tips the scales at 1,770kg. The reason it picks up speed so well is because of the gearbox calibration, which is simply staggering. The ZF gearbox responds in ways we had never seen in any other car, and the first three gears can come across as a tad intimidating if you’re driving the car on ‘Sport +’ mode. But should the car stray out of its line in a fit of oversteer, you’ll find the steering more than adept to deal with the situation. The steering – while operated by an electric motor assisting power system – offers a great deal of progression while turning, and also a level of feedback not seen in other cars in this class. The brakes seemed to be biased to the rear, meaning, we were able to tip the car into corners with a hint of oversteer without even trying. Need we say: The handling characteristics of the car – while it didn’t mimic that of a supercar – still felt superior to that of its other competitors from Britain and maybe even Italy. Aston Martin’s first attempt at making a grand tourer in over a decade or so may seem like a collaborative effort to some. But, scratch beyond the obvious and you’ll find that the DB11 is more than just a Mercedes-Benz on stilts; it’s a brilliant car which on a good day could even put other sports cars to shame. Not to mention: It’s also going to steal all the attention from everyone else.

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CARS ADVENTURES

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Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Nirmal Raj recommends

BALI I

ndonesian island Bali offers great beaches, barren volcanic hillsides, iconic rice paddies and amazing coral reefs. The nature’s marvels provide a scenic backdrop to Bali’s intriguing, profoundly spiritual and exclusive culture. No wonder it is called the paradise on earth. Bali captivates you with dramatic dances and colourful ceremonies as well as arts and crafts and intricately carved temples. Apart from the cultural, historical and archaeological attractions, its luxurious beach resorts and exciting nightlife make it an attractive destination to a broad range of tourists. R IC E MOUNT TERRACES Bali is situated 1.6km east of the island of Java, separated by the A IN S A T S U N R IN IS E narrow Bali Strait and covers an area of 5,780 square km. A tourist’s expedition to the gorgeous island can be about nature, art, culture spiritual, or all of these. Bali is an all-year destination but the best time to visit is generally during the summer months of April, May, June, July and August when the weather is dry and sunny. Between November and March, it is generally the rainy season. For water adventures the best time to visit Bali is during the dry season. Accommodation is no issue in Bali as it is known for its budget hotels, luxury villas, holiday resorts and spas. It is advisable to book your luxury, mid-range or budget accommodation online before you reach there. There are many means of transport to help you discover Bali. An assortment of excellent half-day, full-day and overnight tour packages are available from your hotel desk or travel agents and tour operators who abound in Bali. You can also book your private car with a driver who can act as your guide. Something that may be worth when planning your trip to Bali is a bit of FA L L reading on Mount Agung, a volcano which erupted in November 2017. The AN WATER TEGENUNG volcano’s activity had forced local authorities to close Ngurah Rai International Airport in November. However, Indonesian authorities have now lowered the alert status after scientists found a reduction in its activity.

My favourite place

Uluwatu Temple, also known as Pura Luhur, is a must visit. Perched on a towering sea cliff with waves crashing below, it offers a stunning view for miles and miles. The temple is an architectural wonder built on a black coral rock and is considered a popular place to enjoy the sunset. It is in the southern tip of Bali in Pecatu Village, Kuta South District of Badung, and is known to tourists as the Bukit peninsula. It takes about 45 minutes to get there from Nusa Dua Bali. You can use a taxi or public transportation.

Highlights Its residents are one of the friendliest people you will ever meet in any tourist destination. Lowlights Bali can get very crowded in August and September and again at Christmas and in New Year. Plan your trip well ahead.

Souvenirs Don’t forget to pick up unique wooden crafts of cat or frog motifs and wooden masks of Barong — a mythological creature in Bali. Hand-knitted crafts made from dried Ata, a plant found in Indonesia, make interesting gifts. Beautiful fabrics such as Ikat, a traditional weave, or Batik, a wax-resist textile, are a great souvenir to take back home. An amazing range of aroma oils is available in plenty to buy. Garam Kusamba, salt produced near the Kusamba coast, is unique in taste and when used in bath makes the water moisture-rich — it’s a product you won’t regret buying. Getting there From Muscat, travellers can take convenient connecting flights on Oman Air via Kuala Lumpur. Flying time from Muscat is 11 hours and 15 minutes including stopovers.

Where to stay Every hotel category is represented here and is ideally located. It is advisable to make the bookings online before you get there. 036

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F IS H E R

MAN O N A BO J IM B A A T IN RAN B EACH

-FI THE TECH IN YOU

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Gaming

Y-FI

APT APPS

Four incredibly helpful apps for kids as well as adults in the holy month of Ramadan and beyond. From Islam to values, fashion and games, they deal with a wide range of useful things, says Hasan al Lawati

VALUE ADDED While we learnt about the life of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) at school when we were kids, the Seerah app provides kids of today with a better, more engaging way to learn about Islam and the Prophet (PBUH). It helps instil the values of Islam in children, such as honesty, trustworthiness and loyalty. The app available on iPhone, iPad and Android devices takes children on an interactive journey through the life of the Prophet (PBUH).

SPACE QUEST Religions are often accused of being anti-science, but this app makes sure that Muslim kids stay religious as well as completely aware of the world around them and outer space. Noor Quest is a beautifully designed game that allow kids to venture through outer space as they race to maintain the space masjid that they have been tasked to take care of. Coming from the studios of awardwinning designer Peter Gould, the app introduces basic Arabic letters and the Holy Quran in a fun, entertaining and educational way with friendly, engaging and relatable characters, funky space sounds, vibrant graphics and a cool space masjid.

PERFECT TIME Azan (prayer call) timings are way more anticipated in Ramadan than in any other month of year. Muslims break fast after the evening Azan, and this app helps you have the accurate times. While the app comes equipped with all the information a Muslim would need not just during Ramadan but throughout year, the Qibla compass helps Muslims enjoying iftar at different locations get the exact direction of the Kaaba.

EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PICK

STEP OUT IN STYLE

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MOST PEOPLE STICK TO A MODEST DRESS CODE DURING THE HOLY MONTH, BUT THAT NEED NOT MEAN ONE STAYS OUT OF STYLE. MODANISA, A POPULAR E-SHOPPING PLATFORM, KEEPS YOU IN TOUCH WITH THE LATEST TRENDS IN MUSLIM CLOTHING AND HIJAB. MODANISA.COM AND APP OPENS A NEW FASHION WORLD FOR WOMEN WHILE ADOPTING THE ISLAMIC WAY OF DRESSING WITH A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS SUCH AS ABAYAS, TUNICS, MUSLIM DRESSES AND NIGHTWEAR.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

FLAUNT YOUR FROCKS

Summer has finally arrived. The sun is out, the temperature has risen and you are left wondering how to dress during this season. Check out these collections that will suit you.

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Health

Beauty

FASHION

k o o L e h

and the k n pu ing tta s s wear cks o l i le ro who asions ut the f a add ig occ ecks o o t b way to the Das ch t c hic erfe hri A p tless c Gayat r . effo dress t righ

T t Ge

This is a studio collection dress you could carry off beautifully for an evening party. The dress is a silk blend with jacquard weave pattern. The asymmetric skirt is quite catchy. The deep V neck with frills and long sleeves with pleated cuffs and ties give you angelic looks. Grab this for RO79 from H&M.

The perfect clothing for this summer. The calf-length dress is a soft weave with closed buttondown front. The V-neck dress has a detachable tie belt and pleats for extra width and comfort. The short wide sleeves add to the beauty. It comes in dark blue, white, light beige with patterns. Available at H&M for RO15.990.

Straightcut dress in a patterned crĂŞpe weave with a drawstring and small frill trim around the neckline and an opening at the top. Wide, raglan sleeves with narrow elastication at the cuffs. Unlined. Available at H&M for RO20.990.

This dark blue floral dress is a viscose weave. The V neck and small gathered sleeves make it a perfect evening wear. The seams at the waist and belts add to the style, and the concealed pockets add to the comfort. Go for this beautiful piece for only RO20.990 at H&M.

This is a long jersey dress with a lace bodice, wide neckline, concealed zip at the back and short cap sleeves. This one is stylish and looks perfect for summer. Grab this for RO20.990 from H&M.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

BEAUTY

Fashion

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Family

Fast

AND GLOW Parched lips, dark circles under the eyes and dull skin are signs you are dehydrated. Here’s how you could keep the skin glowing during Ramadan

lemishes, dull-looking skin and blotches are all symptoms of dehydration that may be associated with fasting during Ramadan. Taking extra care of your skin is a must so that it remains healthy and glowing. Hone your beauty routine during Ramadan so that your skin doesn’t suffer. Here are some useful tips to make you feel and look your best:

● Drink as many glasses of water or fresh fruit juice between iftar and suhoor to maintain a glowing skin. Tender coconut water will rehydrate and up your nutrient intake. Keep off carbonated drinks, sugary beverages and caffeine as they are dehydrating. ● If your consumption is limited to certain foods, your skin will become dry and dull. Make sure your diet includes a range of foods. ● Avoid oily foods as they are bad for your skin and complexion. ● Have a cup of yoghurt daily as it will help you feel full longer and hydrates your skin. ● Moisturising your skin at night during Ramadan is extremely important. Make sure you are applying a hydrating facial cream and body lotion after bathing and before going to bed. ● Since you usually stay up late during Ramadan, keep round slices of 042

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potatoes under your eyes for 10-15 minutes every night to avoid dark circles that start showing under our eyes. ● Use sheet masks (face-shaped sheet fabrics soaked in nutrition-packed solution called serum). Apply the mask on a clean face, leave for 20 to 30 minutes, take it off and enjoy a glowing skin. Several masks are available in the market. ● Exfoliate regularly. Depending on your skin type, you can exfoliate your face up to twice a week. This helps clear clogged pores and your skin feels smoother and radiant. ● Use facial sprays stored in the fridge for extra coolness. Vitamin-enriched facial sprays are available in the market that can help you get rid of puffiness. ● Avoid wearing a lot of make-up during iftar parties as it may cause acne breakouts. Instead, opt for products that are light and moisturising such as creams and lip balms with added SPF. ● Take eight to ten hours of sleep every night if you don’t want to end up looking tired at the end of Ramadan. ● Apply a generous amount of lip balm before going to sleep so that your lips remain hydrated during day. ● The best way to protect your skin is to avoid sun as much as possible because sun rays are awfully harmful for the skin.

Beauty

HEALTH

FAST AND BE FIT

asting during Ramadan has multiple blessings: spiritual as well as physical; psychological as well as social. But the benefits one is rightly entitled to in the month of abstinence, self-discipline and restraint are wasted by people who indulge in overeating after breaking fast, inviting a host of health issues especially related to indigestion such as stomach cramps, bloating, acidity and diarrhoea. Families and friends bond over food during Ramadan as they get together to break fast. Often the tastiest of recipes are laid out for suhoor and iftar leading to binging on unhealthy foods. Despite all the resolutions it may prove to be a bit difficult to make wholesome choices when you have several tasty options in front of you. But truth remains forever unchanged: if you want to reap the benefits of fasting you need to mind what you eat.

Family

■ Overeating and binging on unhealthy foods during Ramadan can lead to abdominal pain, sleepiness, heartburn, stomach cramps and gastritis, among other negative side effects. ■ Overeating can also cause nausea, feelings of heaviness and fatigue, headaches, insomnia, moodiness and shortness of breath. ■ Eating the right and healthy foods during suhoor will fill you with energy throughout the day and help keep in check the urge to overeat at iftar. ■ Packing your plate with small helpings of nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats, is the best way to avoid overeating without feeling hungry. ■ Try to keep dinner to a balanced plate containing lentils, vegetables, fibre and protein. ■ Avoid fried and salty food as this can increase feelings of thirst the next day while you are fasting. ■ Unnatural weight gain is one of the main perils associated with eating too much. Surely, you don’t want to end the Ramadan month on an obese note. So, whatever the temptations, resist it. ■ Drink sufficient water at regular intervals because keeping yourself hydrated will make you feel fresh and keep you off unhealthy snacks. Many people tend to overeat when they mistake hunger for thirst, which is a common mistake. ■ Avoid sugar as it messes up your metabolism and gives you useless calories without nutritional benefits and is one of the reasons that makes you overeat during Ramadan. ■ Eating slowly is a good way to regulate the urge to overeat. By eating fast, you can eat double the amount than you would if you eat slowly. So, chew slowly and savour all the healthy food you eat. ■ Focus on providing your body with healthy, nutritious food, while also giving yourself the freedom to truly enjoy a treat here and there. If you really have an urge to eat oily snacks, treat yourself with some once a week rather than eating them daily.

Al Makan Cafe is famous for setting up one of the biggest Ramadan iFtar and Sohur buffets in Oman,.j with a wide selection of Soups, Salads, Hot and Cold Appetizers, Main Courses, Desserts and more…nh

Al Makan Cafe & Restaurant is a venture coffee shop &b diner that is located at Sultanate of Oman since 2006.j We’re known of having an outstanding variety sections in our menu, lunch & dinner in addition to Al Makan Café offering coffee based pastries & delicious mouth-watering food tastes.h

iFtar buffet will be available everyday during the Holly month of Ramadan at Al Seeb & Qurum Branches until 8:30pm and the A La Carte Menu (Sohur) will be available daily from 9:00pm until 2:30am.h Salalah branch will be serving a iFtar & Sohur Buffet aside to the A La Carte Menu. j

Al Makan Cafe is also well-known for its International and Arabic Cuisine. Serving Families in private sections Individuals, and Corporates, either at Eat-In services amongst our outlets or through private catering events.a Al Dahariz

Home

Here are a few tips that could help you fast and reap the benefits:

Choose wisely, eat slowly and chew well to savour the benefits of fasting, body and soul, says Gayathri Das

Rooftop, Muscat Grand Mall 22097777 Al Seeb, Beside City Center 93965992 Shatti Al Qurum (Le Makan)j 22098888

Fashion

23236673

99738158

almakan_cafe AlMakanCafeOman Al Makan Cafe

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Trend

New Restaurant

Reviews

STAY HEALTHY

Health experts say you should eat slowly when breaking fast. They recommend plenty of liquids and low-fat, fluidrich foods. Here are some tips.

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RIGHT BITE

for Ramadan Quinoa pulao

The holy month is here; it’s important to fast and stay healthy — and the best way to get going is by keeping your diet simple but wholesome, says Gayathri Das

hile iftar meals are always a time for celebration, with families and friends getting together to break fast, it is important not to overindulge. This is the right time to make amends by improving your diet so you get regular supplies of nutrients in the right amounts — never more than needed and never less either — and sustain the good habits post Ramadan. It is important that your meal has all the food groups: meat, fish, fruit, grains and vegetables. Dieticians recommend taking whole grains, meat, legumes, eggs and dairy products, fish, olive oil in moderation and going for whole fruits instead of fruit juices. Health experts say you should eat slowly when breaking fast. They recommend plenty of liquids and low-fat, fluid-rich foods. ● Protein Protein is an important part of any healthy meal plan, as its main duty is to build and repair the tissues in the body. Proteins that come from plants, like legumes, contain fibre; while animal proteins, from meat, poultry and seafood, contain fat. A protein-rich diet is good during Ramadan because the stomach and the intestines have all the time they require to digest it as one keeps away from food from sunrise to sunset.

parts or compounds of plants, which pass relatively unchanged through the stomach and the intestines. Fibre is mainly a carbohydrate. The main role of fibre is to keep the digestive system healthy. ● Fruits Fruits are a great nibble between meals, and a healthy alternative to savouries usually consumed during Ramadan. Some fruits have a high water content, especially cucumbers, watermelons, melons, squash and pumpkins, and eating these after fasting hours can help keep you hydrated. ● Vegetables The nutrients in vegetables are vital for health and maintenance of your body during Ramadan. When your diet is rich in vegetables, you are fuelling your body with many of the vital nutrients it needs. Vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories. Due to their rich water and fibre content, vegetables nourish beneficial bacteria in the gut. ● Liquids During Ramadan, it is important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, because of the long period of fasting and high temperatures. Water, fresh juices and soups, as well as vegetables and fruits, are good sources of fluids for the body

Foods to avoid Avoid fried and fatty foods as they can cause acidity and upset the digestion ● Fibre process. Foods containing too much sugar A diet high in fibre during Ramadan are extremely bad for you. Never overeat, keeps the digestive system healthy. instead eat right and healthy. Avoid having Dietary fibre is found in cereals, fruits and caffeinated drinks as they cause faster vegetables. Fibre is made up of indigestible water loss, leading to dehydration.

Ingredients: § 2 cups dry quinoa, washed and dried § 3 cups boiled water § 1 onion, chopped § 1/2 cup chopped carrot § 1 tbsp minced garlic § 2 tsp ground cumin Method: § Saute the onion, carrot, and garlic until they turn brown. § Add the cumin, oregano, and quinoa. Stir constantly and cook for about three minutes to allow the spices and quinoa to toast. § Add the boiled, salted water. § Cover and cook for about 20 minutes or until all the water has been completely absorbed and the quinoa looks puffed. § Do not stir during cooking and make sure the lid is tight to prevent moisture from escaping. Remove from the heat and allow the dish to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. § Add coriander leaves if you wish.

Lentil-chickpeas soup § 1 cup brown lentils, cooked § 2 cups chickpeas, cooked § 4 tbsp olive oil § ½ cup finely minced onions § 4 large tomatoes, diced § 3 cloves of garlic § 2 tbsp tomato paste § I litre vegetable broth or water Method: § Heat the olive oil over a medium flame in a pan. § Add the minced onions and cook until translucent. § Add the diced tomatoes and cook for one to two minutes before adding the minced garlic and the tomato paste. § Stir to mix, and then add the cooked lentils and chickpeas. § You may also add spices of your choice like ground cumin, coriander, black pepper, and chilli flakes. § Add the vegetable broth or water. § Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover and cook the dish for about 20 minutes. § Adding chopped fresh coriander and mint leaves enhances the flavour. § Raise the heat slightly and cook for 15 minutes. § When done, remove from the heat and serve with lime wedges.

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FOOD DRINK

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New Restaurant

REVIEWS

TOPGE RAN Info Box

SAMAD AL IRAQI

Near Al Qurum Commercial Complex, Qurum Opening hours: 9am to 12am Contact: 2 ‫ ‏‬4567151‫‏‬ Dinner for three: RO23

SAMAD AL IRAQI

Verdict : 9/10 SERVICE 9/10 FOOD 9/10 AMBIENCE Authentic Iraqi restaurant serving delicious food. Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

THE GORGEOUSLY GRILLED HAMMOUR WAS ALL BONES WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AND THE CHICKEN SWIMMING IN THE PERFECT BLEND OF RICE, VEG SAUCE AND SPICES VANISHED WITHOUT TRACE. TEAM Y EMBARKS ON A GASTRONOMIC TOUR OF ANCIENT IRAQ

fter having dined in many Turkish and Lebanese restaurants in Muscat, it was time to try the cuisine of Mesopotamia which has a long history going back to more than 6,000 years. We zeroed in on Samad Al Iraqi Restaurant in Qurum where the food reflected Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian and Assyrian cultures. With a traditional decor evocative of ancient Iraq, the restaurant promises to combine the joy of imagination blended with the scent of the past and the excitement of the present. Colourful chandeliers and intricate window designs give it a grand feel. The restaurant staff handed the menu to us and came back with a complimentary bowl of lentil soup with a flat round Iraqi bread for company. Unlike the Turkish and Lebanese breads, this one had a bit of salt. The varied menu consisted of hot and cold appetisers, different salads, chicken and meat dishes and grills. We ordered mixed appetiser, grilled hammour, chicken maqluba and a lemon mint drink. The

A MUST-VISIT PLACE FOR ALL FOODIES. FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO LIKE ARABIAN FOOD WITH A DIFFERENCE, THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN OMAN. THEY DELIVER ON QUALITY, TASTE, AND AMBIENCE TOO

Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com

appetiser which consisted of hummus, mutabbal and beetroot salad among others was very different. Except for the hummus, most of them had a sour tinge. The grilled hammour was very well done and it was one of the best we’ve had in recent times in Muscat. The perfectly grilled, juicy fish was reduced to bones within a few minutes. The fish was grilled the Maskouf way which is an Iraqi 046

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ancient method used for grilling fish which goes back to the Sumerian and Babylonian ages. Chicken maqluba was a very unique dish indeed. Chicken cooked with rice, eggplant, potato, tomato and served with a veg sauce was a perfect blend of various spices in harmony. Samad Al Iraqi aims to serve authentic Iraqi food in traditional surroundings. It is a simple, unpretentious place, which provides an interesting culinary experience. A must-visit place for all foodies. For those people who like Arabian food with a difference, this is one of the best restaurants in Oman. They deliver on quality, taste, and ambience too. The service was attentive and efficient. With a pleasant experience of the famed Iraqi food, we plan to return to the restaurant soon to explore other famed dishes on the menu. They have outlets in Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Baghdad and London too.

Regions Change. People Differ. But Our Care is

MOH No: 694/2018

Abeer Hospital, Ruwi, Muscat is a unit of the healthcare provider Abeer Medical Group trusted for its reliability, quality and affordability in healthcare. The hospital is now functional with a wide range of OP, IP and Surgical services, and is featured with:

Experience Transformational Healthcare at

PO Box 719, PC114, Opp. OK Centre, Ruwi Muscat, Sultanate of Oman 24h X7 Service Free Valet Parking e-mail: info@abeergroup.om