Y Magazine #539, October 11, 2018 by SABCO Press, Publishing and Advertising

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HAS THE PLAYING FIELD TRULY BEEN LEVELLED IN OMAN AND ACROSS THE GCC WHEN IT COMES TO EMPOWERMENT AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY? Y TALKS TO OMANI WOMEN WHO ARE PUSHING ONE FOOT FORWARD TOWARDS EQUALITY, AS THE OTHER STILL BALANCES OVER THE GENDER GAP

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

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

IN THIS ISSUE… W

ithout a doubt, women are the foundation of society and the backbone of every household. There’s a saying for those with a grammatical sense of humour and feminist leanings – ‘A woman without her man is nothing’. Or, if you spin it: ‘A woman; without her, man is nothing.’ Here, punctuation is important, as with or without it the meaning that imbues our gender narratives is shaped. As we work towards equality for all we shine the spotlight on gender roles in our cover feature – exploring the gap that exists in our society stemming from gender inequality. Today, many women across the GCC are questioning whether they hold equal rights across all spheres of society – from work, to family life, to politics. We shine the spotlight on the role of women in Oman and the GCC, how they’re being treated, and whether standing up for themselves will solve those obstacles towards success and, above all, equality. In honour of Omani Women’s Day on October 17, we also introduce you to five women across the Sultanate who are leaders in their field, entrepreneurs, and community-minded trailblazers for change across all levels of society in Oman. Plus, it’s still not too late to register now for our upcoming ‘My Road Safety Pledge’ which will be bringing families and children together in a community event happening on October 19 at Markaz Al Bahja Mall. And finally, it’s that time of year again as the youth of Oman gear up to celebrate the 48th Oman National Day by painting their patriotism in the 5th annual Y Portrait By A Nation competition. We’ve got all the details, and how to take part, inside this issue! Until next week, happy reading!

Team Y EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi ADMIN MANAGER Yousef Al Harrassi ART DIRECTOR Matthew Herbst PHOTOGRAPHER Shaquel al Balushi

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COVER PHOTO Mustafa Hamidi COVER SUBJECT Fatma al Nabhani DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan MANAGER – DIGITAL MEDIA SALES Umair Mehmood

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contents OCT 10 - 17

Your Oman 08 Voice Of Oman Sarah Najeeb al Ahmed al Balushi 10

News Emergency services ready to tackle Cyclone Luban

12 News UK minister in region talks

Cars and Adventures 32 Destination Quriyat 34 First Drive Mercedes-Benz GLC250 38 Y-Fi Latest laptops

This Week 18 Oktoberfest Get ready for a taste of Bavaria as Oktoberfest celebrations kick off Thursday, October 11 at Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara. 19

2018

24 Movies Lady Gaga lends her voice as a struggling singer alongside Bradley Cooper in the musical re-telling of ‘A Star Is Born’. 26

Health and Beauty 40 Fashion Outdoorsy autumn- wear for men 42 Beauty Weatherproof glam

Features Equal measures Just how far has Oman come in tackling issues of gender equality across all sectors of society? In this week’s cover story, we focus on the role of women in the Sultanate and across the GCC, and those who are stepping up and speaking out in support of equal rights on their shared path towards continued growth and success. Ladies who lead In honour of Omani Women’s Day on October 17, we meet five women across the Sultanate who define empowerment. My Road Safety Pledge Children across the nation are gearing up to take Y’s ‘My Road Safety Pledge’ happening on October 19 at Markaz Al Bahja Mall. We’ve got all the details on how to register for a chance to win prizes!

Food and Drink 44

Yummy Oman: Rooting for potatoes These top tubers have never tasted better in a warming recipe perfect for fall

46 Taste Test Shakespeare and Co.

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

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Sing, Ansel! We know Ansel Elgort from movies like ‘Baby Driver’ and ‘The Fault in Our Stars’. Well, did you know that he sings too? He’s also a musician and has just scored the lead role in the upcoming Steven Spielberg adaptation of the 1961 musical ‘West Side Story’. Elgort will star as Tony in this modern retelling of ‘Romeo and Juliet’, and filing is slated to start in 2019 – definitely something to look forward to! A tribute to Mac Miller You might remember that live story that After the recent untimely passing of hip-hop star Mac Miller, his family is now putting together a tribute concert where Mac’s friends – artists like Chance the Rapper, John Mayer, SZA, Travis Scott, Anderson Paak and many more, are set to perform and pay tribute. The concert isn’t only to celebrate his life but will launch the Mac Miller Circles Fund – a new foundation meant to help provide resources and programming for arts education in under-served communities. In a statement, his mother Karen Meyers said: “The support we’ve experienced is evident in this amazing line-up and is a testament to Malcolm’s incredible life.”

Cardi B. had planned an attack on two sisters who worked at a nightclub, after suspecting one of them had had a relationship with her husband Offset. Captain America steps down Actor Chris Evans has been playing the role of the iconic Captain America since 2011. However, he sent shockwaves across the Twitterverse after Tweeting to his fans that he’s putting his shield away and won’t be reprising the role in any other movies: “Officially wrapped on Avengers 4. It was an emotional day to say the least. Playing this role over the last 8 years has been an honour. To everyone in front of the camera, behind the camera, and in the audience, thank you for the memories! Eternally grateful.” Taking a ‘Chance’

Cardi B surrenders to police

Cardi B has turned herself into police for ordering an attack on two women. She was arrested then charged with misdemeanours for reckless endangerment and assault. Apparently, 06

OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

With his hit songs ‘No Brainer’ and his Grammy Award-winning album ‘Coloring Book’, Chance the Rapper recently spoke about how he has an upcoming collaborative album with Kanye West called ‘Good A** Job’, which is currently in the works. He’s also claimed to be ‘actively working’ on a record with Childish Gambino, revealing that he will also donate USD$1 million (RO384,000) to Chicago’s mental health services through his My State of Mind initiative which connects those in need with treatment. He also announced plans to give money to Chicago public schools.

Halsey is back! Halsey has released ‘Without Me’, her first new solo song since her 2017 album ‘Hopeless Fountain Kingdom’. Halsey says Justin Timberlake’s ‘Cry Me A River’ inspired the song as she sings about a partner who she stuck by only to be rejected afterwards. Halsey also says ‘Without Me’ was a very personal song and the first she’s ever written under her real name, Ashley. T.I surprises fans with new album It’s been 10 years since T.I released an album, but that changed on Friday, September 28 when he surprised fans with a 15 track LP! ‘The Drime Trap’ opens with a message from comedian Dave Chapelle and features many artists including Meek Mill, Young Thug, Teyana Taylor, and Anderson Paak. T.I also let his 18-year-old son Messiah produce one of the tracks on the album! Anderson Paak & Kendrick Lamar team up again! Kendrick Lamar is back as a featured artist on Anderson Paak’s new song ‘Tints’. This isn’t the first time they’ve worked together either – teaming up in 2015 on Dr. Dre’s ‘Deep Water’ off his ‘Compton’ album. ‘Tints’ is the lead single from Paak’s forthcoming record ‘Oxnard’. Be sure to keep it locked to Virgin Radio Oman 100.9 FM, and don’t miss your Tea Time with Maya Noise, daily on Chad in the Morning.

Celebrate Oman’s 48th National Day! Y Magazine is holding its annual “Portrait by a Nation” competition for children to create a unique piece of art.

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3 Age Categories 5 - 9 / 10 -13 / 14 -17 To register for the event visit:

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For more information visit Y-oman.com or call 24426910

Registration for Sohar and Nizwa closes on October 27 Registration for Salalah & Sur closes on November 1 Registration for Muscat closes on November 10

THE VOICE OF OMAN

SARAH NAJEEB AL AHMED AL BALUSHI IS THE DIRECTOR OF GOLDEN SPOON GROUP AND THE FOUNDER OF MUSCAT EATS, OMAN’S LARGEST FOOD FESTIVAL. HERE, SHE TALKS ABOUT HER EARLY DAYS AS AN ENTREPRENEUR AND HOW SHE FEELS OMAN HAS PROVIDED HER WITH A PLATFORM TO BUILD UPON

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: Gender equality – can it be applied to all spheres of life in the GCC? If not, what are some of the challenges women in the region face in their dayto-day lives? AISHA AL BARWANI

notion I came across a lot when I was growing up was that when a woman begins to embark on an entrepreneurial journey, there’ll be a lot of hurdles. While that’s true from a business perspective; here in Oman, your gender wouldn’t hold you down in any way. As a matter of fact, I’m a firm believer that things were a bit easier for me because of my gender. Once I had planned everything I wanted to do in my career, I always had the support from my family, ministries and other institutions I dealt with while setting everything up. The support women receive from the government is beyond belief – and it comes from the respect that women are treated with. It stems from our culture and religion, and it extends to other spheres of life today. Moreover, the days are gone when people in Oman would look down on a woman. So, whether you’re an entrepreneur, engineer, finance agent or pilot; there’s no one out there to judge you. No one here in Oman would ever look at you and go: “Hey, she made it because of her family or contacts”. Instead, they’d appreciate the efforts of the woman and showcase her strengths. This is one of the greatest features of the Sultanate: it doesn’t matter who you are. There’s always a chance for you to exhibit your talents. And not only will this lead to a stronger and empowered woman – but also a young wave of girls who will be driven by the passion to succeed, and uphold the name of our country.

OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

and fields to be an active player in the development process alongside men. Girls have opportunities for education and men in higher education. The percentage of females in higher education in 2013 reached 1.24%, which confirms the great efforts of the Sultanate in this field. Statistics of the National Center indicate that 22% constitute the share of women in the nonagricultural sector in 2010. The percentage of seats held by women in national parliaments between 2011 and 2018 (9.5%) in the Council of Oman, (17.9%) in the Council of State (1.2%) in the Shura Council. In order to promote the cultural, social and educational level of women, the Ministry of Social Development pays attention to empowering women and establishing their own institutions such as Omani women’s associations.

Are women equal to men? On paper, yes, but perhaps not so much in reality. There are several challenges women go through, daily. But, since the question applies to only women in the GCC, I’d like to state that most of the challenges that one faces today arise from family values. An Omani woman (which I am) is expected to be raised following traditions and is prepped to become a good wife and mother. While these are all good values for a good future, we must also be given the liberty to pursue careers. At the same time, women also need to be motivated by their peers and their families to pursue their dreams. But the women also need to set realistic and value-driven goals – those that will help the country progress and possibly even lead the way for a new generation of Omani women. Challenges are a part of life, and it’s now up to us SUDHEER MELEPAT to carry the baton. Best of luck to all the women Modernisation has transformed women’s out there. opportunities yet women’s active participation in political life remains relatively low. A great deal of MOHAMED ABDOULMAGUID women in management literature has examined The Sultanate has taken it upon itself the barriers that limit women’s social and economic the elimination of gender disparity development. The limitations that hinder women’s in all stages of education, thus progress in organisations are well documented, promoting the promotion of gender including the persistence of gender stereotypes. equality in various stages of life Moreover, women are tied with their family, customs Under Article 17 of the Basic Law of the State, and religion. which provides for the right to equality of all citizens in public rights and duties without DIVYA HARIDAS distinction of race, colour or origin. The As a GCC country, there are corporate pressures Sultanate is committed to achieving gender for democratic changes, social justice and trade parity in all fields, especially education, which is development. No issue today offers a more the foundation of development in the country. formidable challenge for government than the To this end, the Sultanate has adopted policies unequal state of women. The social, cultural and and programmes to pay attention to women’s economic reasons behind could be due to limited education and employment in all disciplines

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advancement in the public sphere. Moreover, there is the prevalence of the patriarchal work culture within public and private institutions as well as cultural and ethical values that create strongly defined gender roles.There have been significant achievements in advancing women in leadership and political roles but there are still institutional and cultural barriers embedded in the business world.

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The gender gap does exist, irrespective of the claims or efforts made to plug these gaps. Although some sectors in Oman

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such as banking, financial, nursing and teaching, etc represent good opportunities for women; sectors such as administration, insurance, IT, engineering and oil and gas are yet to see any significant improvement. Wide gaps exist at top management levels too, where the representation of women is very insignificant. Perhaps, the most gender discrimination exists at the salary level – where women are not treated equally with men. The challenges will be to change the traditional mindset of the system – where women are considered or treated below men in terms of performance, decision making, and endurance.

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OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

NEWS

SAFETY ALERT FOR

CYCLONE LUBAN

mergency services were on high alert as Cyclone Luban was slated to hit Oman’s coast this week. All services have been placed to tackle any fall-out from the tropical storm, a senior civil defence spokesman has confirmed. Lt. Col Faisal Al Hajri, director of the executive office of the National Committee for Civil Defence, said he did not expect Luban to be as severe as Cyclone Mekunu last May and called for calm. He told the Times of Oman newspaper that more emphasis would be placed on encouraging people to stockpile food and water. Mr. Al Hajri asked people not to panic, as the government was well-prepared to handle any situation. He said: “We have put in place measures to evacuate any areas in case we see the need.”

“We have made sure that all basic necessities are stocked up in supermarkets and that enough back-up stock is available in specific governorates. “Thankfully, due to previous instances we have gained experience in how to deal with such situations.” According to the latest information from the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA), Luban was expected to affect the Dhofar and Wusta governorates by Wednesday. Lt. Col Hajri added: “Luban will not directly pass through any of the governorates. Dhofar will only come in contact with the clouds surrounding the storm which will cause heavy rain.” “The course of the storm, unlike previous events, will not pass the Sultanate’s territory or its coasts but will be moving in the direction of the south, towards the Gulf of Aden and the Republic of Yemen.”

UK MINISTER IN REGION TALKS

ritish Foreign Minister Alistair Burt has praised Oman as a lynch-pin of the Middle East. Mr. Burt, who is on a visit to Oman, congratulated the Sultanate for its expertise on “Yemen, Syria, and wider Gulf issues”. The minister also cemented his country’s relationship with Oman, as the two countries begin the region’s biggest military training exercise in more than a decade. Royal Navy ships, army troops, and Royal Air Force airplanes are to descend on the Omani desert in preparation for Operation Saif Sareea, the largest exercise of this type in the region for 17 years. He said Oman and the UK had been preparing for the joint military exercise since 2012. He said: “This is one of the largest exercises of UK Armed Forces with the participation of 5,500 troops. “You cannot participate in such a large exercise unless you are working with a trusted partner.” Mr. Burt also stressed his country’s keenness for consultations with Oman on the issues of the region.

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OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

e t a l f In

When:

19th October, 2018

Where: Jebel Sifah

Adults: 15 OMR kids: 7.5 OMR

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TERMINAL BOOST FOR CARGO LOAD

new terminal for cargo at Salalah Airport is set to improve shipping efficiency. Salalah has emerged as a major link for sea-air cargo movement from the Far East, India, Europe, Africa, and North America. An airport spokesman said the terminal was a welcome addition to the port city’s strategic location. The capacity to handle sea, air, and road for the transportation

of goods would be more efficient and economical as a result, he said. Divided in two floors, the air cargo terminal has 14 loading and off-loading stations, offices for imports and exports, and goods clearance. The facility also accommodates the offices of relevant ministries, Royal Oman Police, government agencies, airlines, and shipping companies.

ELECTRICITY FIRMS FACE PARTIAL PRIVATISATION

tate-owned Nama Holding has announced that part of the company will be sold off. The government-owned firm will undergo a privatisation program for its electricity transmission and distribution arms. The announcement was made at a press conference held by Nama Holding in London on Sunday, chaired by Shaikh Dr. Mansoor bin Taleb al Hinai, VicePresident — Distribution and Supply at Nama Group. Shaikh Dr. Mansoor al Hinai said up to 49 per cent of Nama Holding shares in Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC), and the sale up to 70 per cent of Nama Holding shares in its distribution and supply companies respectively, would be sold. Nama Holding now intends to invite eligible entities, either individually or in consortia, to express interest to participate in the partial divestment of OETC and MEDC through Nama Holding website www.nama.om.

HEALTH COVER ‘SPUR FOR ECONOMY’

oth healthcare and the medical insurance industry will benefit from the drive towards mandatory health insurance, a top official has said. Ahmed al Maamari, of the Capital Market Authority, the regulator of the insurance sector in Oman, said the scheme would spur local and international investment in new private hospitals and insurance businesses, boost jobs, and support economic development in general. 012

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LEAGUE OF LEGENDS

GALLERY

THE COVETED ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHY MADE ITS DEBUT PIT-STOP IN OMAN AT THE SABCO MEDIA STUDIOS, WHERE A FEW LUCKY FOOTBALL FANS GOT TO HAVE A ONCE-IN-ALIFETIME CLOSEUP WITH THE CUP.

OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

013

YOUR

HEALTH FIRST

OMAN

RETURNING BIGGER AND BETTER FOR 2018, THE FOOD AND HOSPITALITY OMAN EXPO WILL KICK OFF ON OCTOBER 15 AT THE OMAN CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.

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FORGING AHEAD

GALLERY

MERGING THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, OMAN POST ANNOUNCED AT A RECENT MEDIA GATHERING AT THE CROWNE PLAZA MUSCAT, THAT IT WILL NOW STREAMLINE ITS SERVICES WITH ADDED TECHNOLOGIES TO KEEP UP WITH THE CHANGING TIMES.

OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

015

YOUR

A DONUT A DAY

OMAN

IT WAS A SWEET START FOR 3RD STREET DONUTS IN AL SEEB, OPENING THEIR DOORS UNDER THE DISCOVER AMERICA FESTIVAL WITH U.S. AMBASSADOR TO OMAN H.E. MARC J. SIEVERS INAUGURATING.

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GALLERY

Photography by: Rand al Khatib Location: Irbid City, Jordan Model: Diana Style: Fashion lifestyles Beauty comes in many forms in this life. Transcendent from nature, the connection between human and animal is an indelible bond that reminds us of the world we share together. It’s ours, without a doubt…but it’s theirs’ too. OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

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The International Exhibition of Food & Hospitality is the latest trade show to be held at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in Muscat, from October 15-17. The event is a business and networking platform for companies and professionals to promote the latest products and services in the food and beverage, hotel, catering, agriculture, fisheries, and food industries. For details, check the Food and Hospitality Oman website, or visit www.omanconvention.com.

OCT

THIS

WEEK

CELEBRATE OKTOBERFEST

FOOD EXPO

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE OCT

It’s time for some uber R&R, German-style. Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara will be hosting fun celebrations to welcome Oktoberfest. Residents and guests will have the chance to enjoy relaxed beachside dining with live tunes from an authentic Bavarian folk band. German drinks will be high on October 11-12 as the resort’s beachside restaurant, Al Mina transforms into a German market with festive stalls decorated in Bavarian colour. There will be live music from Stevie’s Oompah band, which has been flown in specially from Munich for the occasion, and guests can dance the night away from 7:30 p.m. to celebrate the world’s largest Volksfest. For details, contact the hotel on 2322-8222.

A NIGHT AT THE BALLET WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

O C T O B E R The ballet La Bayadère is a supreme masterpiece to delight audiences at the Royal Opera House Muscat and will be staged on Oct 11-13. Styled after Marius Petipa, with the original music by Ludwig Minkus, Natalia Makarova’s 1980 production of La Bayadère for American Ballet Theatre has won a permanent place in ballet lovers’ hearts. Set in ancient India, La Bayadère concerns the mysteries of fate, vengeance, and eternal love. Nikiya, the temple dancer, and Solor, a noble warrior, have sworn eternal fidelity to one another but powerful figures have other plans for them. Valery Ovsyanikov conducts the PKF- Prague Philharmonia. For details, phone 2440-3334, or email for tickets at boxoffice@rohmuscat.org.om.

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OCT

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 2479-1641

A Star Is Born Cast: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliott

What They Had

First Man

Cast: Hilary Swank, Blythe Danner, Robert Forster Ruth (Danner) is the Mum everyone wants to have: loving, warm, funny, giving and resilient. But when her demeanour starts becoming erratic, it’s clear that she needs more support than her loving family, led by daughter Bridget (Swank), can provide. Then, of course, comes the care home question. Bridget and her bullish brother can’t convince their father Burt (Forster),

Bad Times at the El Royale Cast: Jeff Bridges, Chris Hemsworth, Dakota Johnson

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clark

who is in denial about his wife’s declining mental health. But living in the past is not going to make caring for his wife any easier. As a drama dealing with dementia, it ticks all the boxes. It’s serious stuff, sure, but there are enough comical moments to keep the movie from becoming over-poignant. It scores well on the realism front, too, as a result. This is one for the mature moviegoer, for a change (thank goodness).

When seven disparate strangers arrive at Lake Tahoe’s El Royale hotel, a lodge with a dark history, you know their stays are going to be anything but restful. Each guest has a secret they’d like to deal with and bury. But spilling happens when your cup runneth over, and that’s when the problems start. While the guests pass like ships in the night, the hotel’s secret hallway lets us into their rooms to witness their attempts at redemption, especially those of the priest Father Daniel Flynn (Bridges). But when charismatic cult leader Billy Lee (Hemsworth) shows up looking for someone who stole from him, everyone’s paths start crossing, with dynamic results. It’s a taut suspense thriller straight from the coat-tails of Hitchcock, Kubrick, and Tarantino but is no less worthy for all that. Great.

herself in the tricky situation of wanting to reach for the stars while providing support to her partner, who is on a downward spiral. Despite some laboured direction from Cooper (the film is a little over-long) this drama has great performances all round; with Elliott, as Jackson’s brother Bobby, stealing each scene he’s in.

Jackson Maine (Cooper) is a country music superstar whose career is not as hot as it once was. When he comes across a young singer Ally (Gaga) singing in a downbeat venue, he’s entranced by her talent and it’s not long before Jackson is encouraging her to step up to the plate (or the mike). After she wows the crowds at one of his gigs, it’s clear her career is on the up. As the two become an item, she finds

The American astronaut Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon, in July 1969. In this biopic, Ryan Gosling gets to play the great man who took “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. It’s not overloaded with science and technology but an examination of a clever, ordinary man tasked with having to achieve something extraordinary. As the date draws near; the unrelenting pressure, uncertainty, and danger tests this tough but self-effacing individual. Gosling does him justice, here, with a nuanced performance that gets right into the character of a man with the weight of a nation’s expectations on his shoulders. It’s a fine film if you believe that Armstrong did actually land on the moon. Apparently, 20 per cent of Americans don’t, and neither do I!

N WI

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION

Which popular television show is ‘A Star is Born’ actress Lady Gaga known for? LAST WEEK’S WINNER Gunjan Narayan

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.

Experience more VOX Cinemas magic! Discover

Now open near you at VOX Cinemas, Muscat Grand Mall Book your tickets at voxcinemas.com or the VOX app OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

019

Equal Measures

Oman’s record on women’s rights is better than those of its GCC neighbours. But while female lives have improved, the prospects of marriage and motherhood still predominate, and the faces of most professionals and politicians are male. Team Y examines how far women have come, and how much distance is yet left to go

man is not the richest country in the GCC region and may “I remember the days when I had just taken not have the highest levels of economic growth. up the role of an English teacher. I was the But there is one area in which the Sultanate has evolved centre of attraction – and all the men were further than its neighbours, and that is in terms of stunned by my language skills. Not many gender equality. women spoke in English then and no one Today, the term refers to how the roles of women and men in society could even have imagined seeing a woman are perceived. wear a burqa to school and teach But the Sultanate has been at the forefront of women students English,” she says, empowerment for centuries now in the GCC – and many smiling. may be unaware of this. “Work was never a burden – Oman has even been ruled by a woman: Sayyida Moza and I never felt like I was ever bint Ahmed bin Said al Busaidi. challenged. It [a While she only assumed the throne job] wasn’t even OMANI WOMEN ARE temporarily, she was known to be the hard to find, and BLESSED. THEY’RE BLESSED my English would mastermind that shaped the political and WHEN COMPARED WITH have allowed economic structure of Oman from 1806 to 1856 THOSE GIRLS FROM – and more importantly, was also the protector me to work in OTHER COUNTRIES – of Muscat from foreign threats. government In short, it was her resilience that paved the EVEN THOSE IN THE jobs or even way for the Muscat that we see today. WEST FACE A STRONG privately if I In the eyes of one teacher, though, Sayyida WAVE OF COMPETITION had wanted Moza was more than a ruler. She turned out to AMONG OTHER WOMEN to,” she says, be her inspiration and role model. THEMSELVES as she taps her Salma bint Salim al Kharusi fumbles for words hands on her to describe her love for Oman, His Majesty, and her idol – Sayyida husband’s shoulder in laughter. Moza. She claims to be one of the few women who experienced She then looks at him and says: “He Oman’s far-reaching attitude first-hand. spent more time unemployed than I “Omani women are blessed. They’re blessed when compared with did.” those girls from other countries – even those in the west face a strong He nods in agreement, and then wave of competition among other women themselves,” she says. Salma then gets serious. The 88-year-old teacher from the Al Saidiya School may have hung “This is what gender equality up her cloak two decades ago but her memory is as sharp as a tack, and is. It isn’t a word I use often here she recollects how Oman has always maintained and upheld in Oman or raise my voice to gender equality. advocate. But, in my eyes, gender

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equality is achieved when women can do tasks and achieve laurels in what they want to do – and what men have been doing for centuries,” she explains. Her idea is in line with that of the United Nations, which describes gender equality as “the state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making; and the state of valuing different behaviours, aspirations and needs equally, regardless of gender.” “Arab women, especially those in Oman, have a great advantage on their side. They’re respected in all forms of life – be it at work or in schools. “While several Muslim countries adopt strict laws against the women of their countries to chain them down, they now accept them with love and gratitude. “The word ‘accept’ that I used upsets me, because that seems to be the norm in Arab culture. They’re only slowly being able to take up tasks that men would do years ago. “For instance, in Bahrain, women have only been allowed to vote and stand in national elections since 2002; and in Saudi Arabia, they were only allowed to have driving licences starting this year. These were all rights that those of us here in Oman were enjoying for decades.” She’s right, too. For instance, in 1994, the Sultanate became the first Gulf monarchy to give the women the right to vote. All of this is reassuringly positive in a region that has long been known for female oppression. But there are still other concerns to consider. For example, is suffrage and a place in the parliament enough to define women’s roles as leaders in Oman? And more importantly, are countries in the GCC, including Oman, really taking steps to create an equitable environment for women and men to share space without discrimination – or is it all propaganda to come up smelling of roses in the international media? While Oman maintains a low-profile in mainstream media on this matter, countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been known to push for positive publicity. For instance, the UAE newspaper Gulf News’, headlines on March 11, 2017 read: ‘UAE leads the way in GCC gender equality’. While the story was in-depth on how both women and men were vital to achieving the UAE’s political goals, as women in the nation reportedly held 33 per cent leadership roles in the year, Omani life-coach and entrepreneur, Aisha al Barwani raises some serious questions. She asks us: “How can countries in the GCC say that they’re gender equal when rape victims are arrested based on ‘lack of evidence’ (?)” “There are certain double standards that exist within our society today. I cannot say that I’m oppressed, or in any way, burdened by my gender. I’m a single woman and entrepreneur myself. But, we need to polish our thinking and mindset to accommodate the women of today’s generation. “These are strong, independent, and self-sufficient women – and when they see countries pushing propaganda articles, we’ll see right through it.” Aisha’s point is proven correct when a quick research reveals how a Norwegian woman, and Qatari expat, was arrested for “partaking in extramarital affairs” when she was reportedly raped by her colleague during a business trip to the UAE. While the accused (who was subsequently proven guilty) rapist – a married Sudanese man – was handed a 13-month jail sentence, the woman was also sent to jail and her passport confiscated for being present during the act. This led to a public outcry – and it was then up to the Norwegian embassy to bail her out. Nevertheless, she was deported, and had to return to Norway. She was also fired by her Qatari employer. In an agitated tone, Aisha says: “This is against human rights. No one who has ever been traumatised by such an act should ever go through that – but it did happen… and in the GCC. So, how can we say that this region is gender-neutral?” We speak to our source (who wishes to remain anonymous) at the Royal Oman Police (ROP) to understand whether or not the laws governing such gruesome acts differ in Oman and UAE. He tells us: “The laws governing sexual acts, including rapes, in Oman are very grave – and strict action will be taken on the offender. “He or she will be jailed for the assault for a

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THERE ARE WOMEN GROWING UP IN SOCIETY WHO ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO EXPERIENCE THE ART OF FREEDOM. SO, THEY WOULD NOT BE HELD DOWN BY THEIR FAMILIES AND CAN CHASE THEIR DREAMS In Oman, as of the end of 2017, women made up 41.5 per cent of government employees – and more importantly, had equal pay (as per the National Centre for Statistics and Information). In total, women workers made up 138,716 of the total working population in the Sultanate in 2016, while the numbers stood at 135,000 in the same year in the UAE. The statistics are certainly reassuring when compared to other GCC countries but are they telling the full story? As it turns out, no. In reality, an astounding 63 per cent of all job seekers in the Sultanate, and 62 per cent in the UAE, are women. This means more women are on the lookout for a job every year, and moreover, are failing to find work. Due to restrictions, we can only approach interviewees here in Oman. And, Amal al Khindi, a 26-year-old Omani post-graduate degree holder from the London School of Business and Finance in the UK, says that she has failed to find a suitable job for over two years. She tells us of her ordeal: “While the statistics that are published by the media are all very colourful, our lives here are not. There are several of us who have split up from our families for years, studied abroad and have come back to earn a living. “But companies don’t want to take us. While many of them prefer hiring expats, I’ve also noticed that they’d prefer Omani men over us women. The only places where we’re hired without any hesitation are for secretarial, receptionist, promotional, and modelling jobs. “While they come with their own set of challenges, it’s incredibly wicked of them to generalise women as incapable of holding other positions. My aim would be to try for the position of a junior level marketing executive – but even then, the hiring managers ask us why we wouldn’t want to take up a ‘simpler’ job. “My last interview was conducted by an Omani lady from a leading petrochemical company, and she couldn’t period no less than five years and no more than 15 years, and will also be fined believe that I was applying for such a position. Her words stung me: ‘You’re RO5,000 as a fine. very young and are figuring out what you want as a career. What if you wake up “The number of rape cases reported to us is considerably less – and it’s tomorrow and want to quit, or get married?’” because such acts are seen as a taboo and women fear that they would be jailed, “That’s when I realised that the greatest challenge a woman faces in her field is too. her gender. Along with being a woman comes several stereotypes, and that’s what “But they will not be jailed. holds her down. I’m not having any of that. I gave up on my job search after that “The accused will be called in for interrogation and we will not remand the interview and decided to draw up plans for my own company – an advertising offender if they are found innocent. Only when a woman is found to be falsely agency. accusing another person will she be arrested. Until then, she will always be “It is now my challenge to become the best businesswoman in Oman. I wasn’t given the benefit of doubt,” he says. born with a silver spoon in my mouth – but I am surely not going to let that stop “If a woman is afraid to reach out to the police, she can also request to speak me.” with a female officer so that she can be more comfortable. We will always have That said, it’s not just women like Amal that face oppression past their them ready to take up calls and assist you. schooling. One of Aisha’s patients, 19-year-old Laila – who willingly opens about He then adds: “Women are the lifeline of our society, and if they begin feeling her struggles at home – says: “I finished my [high] school last year and wanted to that the law or the cultures aren’t supporting their cause, then we have failed as go to university. law enforcers. “I had drawn up plans to move to Seeb, and take up a course in Art and Culture “Also, the ROP, as a government entity, is very supportive of women – and a at the Sultan Qaboos University. However, the plan was immediately scotched by good sign that we’re now witnessing is that more Omani women – alongside the my father. He said that the ‘responsible’ thing to do was to get married. already strong female force – are expressing interest in joining us.” “It was like my whole life came to a stop. A man that I adored with my life had Policewomen aren’t exclusive to the Sultanate, as all GCC countries have just – out of pressure from our relatives – suggested that I get married. At first, female officers. Even Saudi Arabia is expected to see women traffic officers join I didn’t think much of it, but as time went by, I realised that things were getting government forces soon. more serious. But, Oman made history when the ROP appointed a senior female police “They were even asking me to meet potential grooms. It was too much for me. officer, Lieutenant Colonel Shaikha bint Ashour al Hambasiyah, to oversee the So, in the June of 2018, she ran away from home – vowing never to return. operations at the Al Wattayah police station. “I didn’t know what to do but I just stayed with a few friends. That’s also when I And that’s not all. met Aisha (the life-coach).”

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Laila has since been reunited with her parents, but after strict orders by her grandparents and uncles, she has been asked not to pursue further studies or work. Despite that, she secretly teaches young children how to play the guitar. She also charges a small amount for her services. Aisha weighs in: “Among all the GCC countries, Omani women experience the most freedom. They can dress in their own way, spend time with their friends, opt to live their own lives, and do what pleases them. However, there are cultural restrictions that tie us down – and that’s where things take a turn. “So, everything that we are entitled to is flushed down the drain; that’s one side of the story. On the other hand, though, there’s another great hindrance: oneself.” She then elaborates: “There are women growing up in society who are lucky enough to experience the art of freedom. So, they would not be held down by their families and can chase their dreams. “But, what upsets me is that their dreams aren’t real. And bear with me when I say this: they all want to become social media influencers and fashionistas. It’s all a numbers’ game – and it sucks them into an abyss. “That’s not a terrible thing – but it does lead several down a very dark path. Taking photos of oneself, posting them online and then striking a great deal of likes; that’s what this is all about. So, to strike the perfect photo, these women begin to experiment on their bodies from a very young age. “Some families are even supportive of this. I’ve counselled girls as young as 12 and 14 who have had cosmetic surgery to fuel their social media desires. These women quickly enter the limelight, create waves, and then¬ disappear. “This can lead them into a spiral of depression, to begin using narcotics, or even begin entering a darker alley to make money. Some of my patients do go through that. “Oman, being the country that it is, needs to begin implementing counselling sessions for women from a young age so that they can be trained and moulded to follow a path that’s right for them. “They say that the price of freedom is death – and that could very well be the case here.” When we raise some of these concerns with our earlier interviewee Salma al Kharusi, she nods her head, pauses for a second, and says: “Aisha is right. What this country needs are women with dreams – and dreams that are big enough to create a sense of unity among each other so as to feel like they’re all working towards the betterment of their country… and ultimately themselves. “Flaunting your beauty and making money out of it is one thing, but doing so because of peer pressure or the need for attention is another. “Women in the GCC have only slowly started receiving the support from their countries and we still have much to prove. And the fact that a country like the Sultanate – that has long been at the forefront of gender equality in the GCC – also has much to work on before it can deem itself gender-neutral is testament enough that we’re only starting an uphill battle. “Maybe, on the face of it, we’ve achieved so much here in terms of productivity at our homes and at work in such a short time, but only time will tell how all our efforts will impact on our societies in the future. “We’ve long been blessed to be bearers of the future. So, it’s only fair that we enjoy equal rights as our sons. But when will we get there? That’s something I assure you I can’t see in my lifetime.” ■

WOMEN ARE THE LIFELINE OF OUR SOCIETY, AND IF THEY BEGIN FEELING THAT THE LAW OR THE CULTURES AREN’T SUPPORTING THEIR CAUSE, THEN WE HAVE FAILED AS LAW ENFORCERS

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Lwho adies Lead O

Glass ceilings are being shattered for the Sultanate’s women, and girls can get ready to follow these five who have raised the bar

mani Women’s Day: a day to appreciate and celebrate the women that make up the Sultanate. They hold different titles – from doctors, ministers, pilots and engineers; to architects, accountants, receptionists and artists. But they all share one common passion: success. The look in their eyes say it all: it’s their time to shine. And at a time that’s ever accepting of women in leadership, they know that they need to stand out and be at the top of their game to be recognised. An image, they say, reflects one’s work – and they use that to their advantage but not before they lead the way for a new generation to follow in their footsteps. These are the stories of Oman’s top women – some of whom are juggling homes and careers, and above all, aim to raise the profile of their country to the highest pedestal.

Fatma a l Na b h a n i Profession: Professional Tennis Player Notable accolades: Ten singles and 13 doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit.

otably Oman’s greatest tennis player, Fatma al Nabhani, has represented her nation in several international tournaments. She made her debut in 2009 on a wild card when she entered the Dubai World Tennis Championship – but has since gone on to uphold the values of the game to the utmost standards.

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Known for her deadly-accurate two-handed backhand, Fatma has gone on to become the nation’s most prolific player and is already known as the GCC’s first professional tennis player. “I never expected to reach such heights in such a short time in my field,” says Fatma. “But, I have a long way to go, too. No one forced me to train. I just loved the game because it was all around me. As we say, it runs in your blood. “Being one of the very few women athletes in Oman, the spotlight was on me. I got pressured because people always expect the best from you. “You win tournaments but sometimes they don’t understand that you cannot keep winning all the time. You have to lose and learn from your mistakes.” While Fatma’s success story is still being scripted one step at a time, she recently came into the spotlight in France… but for the wrong reasons. Fatma stormed out of a US$25k ITF tournament at Clermont-Ferrand in France, after accusing some of the chair umpires of racism. More details are yet to be revealed, but in an emotional video she has published online, she is seen saying: “Being a Muslim player and from an Arab country I wear leggings under my skirt respecting my religion and feeling comfortable to compete and continue playing tennis.” “Women needn’t hide their emotions, especially when they feel they’ve done no wrong. It’s your right to tell the people around you that what you worked hard for is important to you.” It’s her strength and tough character that inspired international sports apparel brand Nike to create a video about her as an example, and above all, a role model for budding sportswomen and men.

H o n. M ad a m Yu t h a r a l R awa hy Profession: Founder, and former president and chairperson of Oman Cancer Association Notable accolades: Public Service Award – United Nations

M a h a a l B a l us h i Profession: Senior first officer (pilot) Notable accolades: First female Omani senior first officer

on. Madam Yuthar al Rawahy is the embodiment of a true warrior. Not only has she battled various forms of cancer – with much success – four times, she is also the reason women have instant access to the mobile mammogram screening service in Oman. At a time when red-tape and a lack of knowledge was prevalent, Madam Yuthar put her foot down to break “cultural barriers” surrounding the disease once and for all in 2004 when she set up the National Association for Cancer Awareness (or as we now know it, the Oman Cancer Association). Only someone that has lost a beloved one to the disease will know the pain it causes – and it must be that which motivated Madam Yuthar to take up the cause and spread awareness. In the early days, she was handing out leaflets in shopping malls to raise awareness about breast cancer. In an earlier interview with Y, she was noted as saying: “I remember it vividly; the women tore them [the leaflets] up and threw them at us, saying, ‘you are bringing evil into society’.” Now, 18 years on, the results are staggering – and the stigma has been torn down. Mobile screening has helped detect early cases of breast cancer, and continues to serve the women in Oman to date.

Sayyida B a s m a a l S a i d Profession: Mental health expert, and founder and owner of the Whispers of Serenity Clinic Notable accolades: Forbes’ ‘50 Most Influential Arab Women’ and ‘Golden Shield of Excellence’ from the Arab Women’s Council.

ayyida Basma al Said is an icon in the fields of mental health, children’s well-being and family counselling in the GCC region. Today, she runs her own clinic – the Whispers of Serenity Clinic – in the capital, but started her career as a psychologist at Sultan Qaboos University. Decades of hard work and resilience: that’s what sets Sayyida Basma apart from the rest. Her work has been noted across the GCC, as she has gathered awards and recognition from our neighbours in the UAE, Qatar, and beyond. She says: “My family has always been my inspiration. At a young age, my granny taught me that nothing is impossible to do in life, my mother taught me to be friendly and positive at all times, and my father taught me to work hard. “That’s what I apply in my daily life – and that’s what has allowed me to work towards my goal of breaking stereotypes and taboos surrounding my topic of interest: mental well-being. Just last week (October 5 and 6) Sayyida Basma and her team organised the largest campaign in the Sultanate: ‘Not Alone’ – which focused on mental health issues and the struggles that individuals go through daily.

aha al Balushi was destined to reach for the skies… literally. She’s credited as Oman’s first female senior first officer pilot – a title she worked hard for years to attain. But, there’s more to her success story than just that. In an earlier interview with Y, she revealed that her family had supported her through her early years even though they’d wished for her to switch careers. “The day I operated my first flight, I knew that I had made the right decision in my career, and that it was the job I was born to do,” she told Y. “It gave me a sense of responsibility and changed the way I looked at aviation.” The rest as they say is history. Today, Maha is one of the few Asian women pilots that have successfully piloted the wide-body twin-engine A330 jet. To those looking to pursue a career in the airline industry, Maha advises: “If you want to be a pilot, it should come out of passion. Image, prestige or money should not be the driving force behind your decision. There is a lot of work that has to be done to excel. No short cuts or easy goings are allowed, and nothing below the highest levels of professionalism is accepted.” “My advice to the Omani youth in general – and to females in particular – is that we must follow our inner voice that tells us what we truly want to be. We should know what we are passionate about, bring it out and excel in it.

Sarah Najeeb al Ahmed al Balushi

Profession: Entrepreneur and cofounder of Golden Spoon Group

arah al Balushi may come across as a humble and soft-spoken woman on the face of it but behind the scenes, she’s revolutionising the Food and Beverage (F&B) industry in Oman – and in a grand way. Many of those living in Oman would have visited her restaurant at some point during their stay here. Her restaurants – the Manhattan Fish Market, the Subway franchises, Golden Spoon, China Town restaurant, Karachi Darbar, Tropical, and many more – are synonymous with the F&B industry in the country. But, as it turns out, she doesn’t want to stop there, either. Her goal is to create the largest food festival in the Middle East. She already tore down targets when 15,500 people visited her inaugural festival, in the November of 2017, and intends to break past the 20,000 mark next month, with the second season of the same. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a man or a woman – success comes only when you work hard,” she says. “Oman is one of the few countries in the GCC that upholds both genders equally in all spheres of life. “So, even in terms of education, women are right up there with men. But, what we need to then work on is on setting short-term goals. Set up targets for yourself and keep a short deadline. That will motivate you to work harder.” If everything goes as planned, she may very well become one of the Middle East’s east’s most successful women in business. ■ OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

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COMPETITION

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e m i t e f i L A f O e g d Ple Children will write it and parents will sign it – let’s take the pledge together towards safer roads. Y calls out for families to join the ‘My Road Safety Pledge’ happening on October 19 at Markaz Al Bahja Mall

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 in a custom-made card distributed along with this edition of Y. 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

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their parents as the purpose is also to promote the message of road safety to parents through their children. The best three pledges will win gift vouchers of RO100 (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. Participants can also look forward to an on-ground activation event happening on Friday, October 19 at Markaz Al Bahja Mall where children will colour the cards and take the Road Safety Pledge, with the winners being announced at an upcoming function at the SABCO Media offices in Seeb, where they will receive their prizes.

In Association With

Exclusive Medical Partner

■ Your own safety must be a priority when approaching the scene of an accident. Make sure that all traffic has stopped and that people have been alerted to the accident to prevent additional casualties. If there is any spilled fuel or other fire hazards turn off car ignitions. Always turn on vehicle hazard lights and use a warning triangle if there’s one available.

How to register Visit http://bit.ly/MyRoadSafetyPledge

and click on the ‘My Road Safety Pledge’ tab on the homepage to register now! Registration closes Wednesday, October 17. Or, simply use your smartphone to scan the QR code right here!

■ If other people are around get them to phone the emergency services. However if you are on your own, first assess the situation and treat any life-threatening conditions first and then call for an ambulance. ■ Establish how many vehicles have been involved and assess the occupants of all the vehicles to ensure none of the casualties has life-threatening injuries. People screaming, crying and making a noise must be breathing – your priority at this point is to check anyone who is quiet and not moving. ■ If anyone is not moving: Ascertain whether they’re responsive or not. If there is no response, check if they are breathing. ■ Unresponsive and breathing: Ensure they are in a position where they are leaning forward or to one side to ensure the airway remains open. Move them as little as possible and avoid twisting them. Keep talking to the casualty calmly as they can hear you, even if they are unconscious. Keep them warm. ■ Unresponsive and not breathing: If the person is not breathing you will need to resuscitate them. If you are on your own and haven’t called an ambulance yet, you must do so at this point. If necessary, ask their advice on the best way to resuscitate as it’s not easy to do if they are in a car. ■ Only attempt to remove an unconscious person from their vehicle if there is an immediate danger to their life, e.g. from fire, flood, or explosion. Conscious casualties should be taken care of by bystanders and removed from the wreckage to a safe area. Be aware that casualties maybe dazed and confused. ■ Anyone trapped in a vehicle should be monitored carefully and the emergency services notified immediately. If someone is crushed, note the exact time when the accident happened as this is important in deciding on how and when to release the casualty. ■ Do not allow anyone to smoke at the scene or give the casualties anything to eat or drink following the accident in case they need an operation later. ■ If a motorcyclist is involved only remove their helmet if they are unconscious and there is no other way to assess their breathing or their airway is in danger. There is usually a way of lifting the visor, it may be sensible to loosen their chin strap. ■ If a casualty has been hit by a car and they are lying on their back unconscious and breathing – they should be carefully rolled into the recovery position to keep their spine in line. Ideally, this should be done with the support of others to avoid twisting the spine. ■ If a casualty has been hit by a vehicle or thrown from one and they are conscious in the road, they should be encouraged to keep still. Ensure that someone is directing traffic and maintaining safety. Support their head and neck, keep them warm and dry and wait for the emergency services.

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. ● 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. OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

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In Association with

As the Sultanate gears up to celebrate the 48th Oman National Day, Y Magazine is excited to announce that registration for the 5th annual Y Portrait By A Nation is now open, as we invite youth across Oman to paint their patriotism once again

n honour of the 48th Oman National Day on November 18, Y’s Portrait By A Nation returns for its 5th annual competition alongside Presenting Sponsor Ahlibank and Associate Sponsor Shell Oman. Once again, young artists from schools across the Sultanate will come together to create a unique piece of art as a lasting tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. One of the biggest events of the year in Oman, Y’s Portrait By A Nation saw an impressive 2,200 entries received from children ages 5-17 years-old from Muscat, Nizwa, Sohar, and Salalah last year. Children will receive a different sized canvas and a different portrait of His Majesty, across three age categories of competition:

Each winner will win a prize worth RO500 in each age category, while runners-up will win prizes valued at RO250 in each age category, and there will be RO100 for third place in each age category. Championing the patriotic heart of the nation through the artistic expression of the young generation, Y’s Portrait By A Nation will be featured across all of SABCO Media’s platforms, including Y Magazine, Koooora Wa Bas Magazine, Merge 104.8, Al Wisal, and Virgin Radio Oman 100.9 FM.

5-9 years – Canvas size 20cm x 30cm 10-13 years – Canvas size 30cm x 40cm 14-17 years – Canvas size 40cm x 50cm

On-ground Competition The competition will be held on Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17 as, over two days, hundreds of children create their own special pieces of art on the canvasses given to them with a pre-printed sketch of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. This initiative not only encourages talent but provides children with a platform to bring out their best artistic efforts while taking pride in their work.

48 finalists will be selected from participants – 16 per age category, with three winners chosen among them from each age category, for a chance to win prizes worth a total of RO2,550.

Portrait by A Nation Milestones:

• • •

On-Ground Competition Dates Nizwa & Sohar: November 2 & 3 Sur & Salalah: November 9 & 10 Muscat: November 16 & 17

Judging Panel The Y Portrait By A Nation judging panel will include sponsors such as Presenting Sponsor Ahlibank, eminent local artists and representatives of Team Y. The panel will select 16 winners from each age group for a total of 48 finalists. Felicitation Function Conducted in a 5-star venue,

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the sponsors will interact with the 48 finalists from the three age categories. The finalists, along with their families, will be invited to be awarded commendation certificates and prizes. The event will be followed by dinner. Special Coverage in Y Magazine After the competition, there will be special coverage in Y which will feature the works of the young artists along with their interviews. Sale of Paintings After the awards presentation, paintings of all the finalists will be put on display for public purchase at a minimum price-tag of RO25, with all proceeds going directly to the artist.

How To Register • • •

Registration for participants in the interiors (Nizwa & Sohar, Sur & Salalah) closes October 27, 2018. Registration for participants in the capital area of Muscat closes November 10, 2018. OCT 11 - 17/ ISSUE 539

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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

• KIMS Oman Hospital • LuLu Hypermarket • Muscat Bakery • Shell Petrol Station Al Falaj/Rex Road • Al Falaj Hotel • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Golden Oryx Restaurant • Kamat Restaurant • Toshiba Showroom Ghala • National Mineral Water Ghubra • Al Hayat International Hospital • Al Maya Hypermarket • Bank of Beirut • Costa Coffee • Crêpe Café • GMC Showroom • LuLu Hypermarket • Moka & More • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Park Inn • Porsche Showroom • Al Raffah Hospital • Stationery Hut • The Chedi Muscat Al Hail • Burger King • Caledonian College of Engineering • Markaz Al Bahja Mall • McDonald’s • Omantel • Starcare Hospital Al Khoudh • Al Fair • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Pizza Hut Al Khuwair • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Bait Al Reem Mall • Caffè Vergnano • Centrepoint (Splash) • Diplomatic Club • Grand Hyatt Muscat • Harley-Davidson Showroom • HSBC • KFC • SPAR • Khimji’s Watches • KM Trading • Landmark Group

• McDonald’s • Muscat Bakery • Oman Bowling Center • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Oman United Insurance • Omran • Pizza Hut • Radisson Blu • Shell Petrol Station • TGI Friday’s • The Great Kabab Factory • The Tikka Place • Zahara Travel • Zakher Mall Mabela • Gulf College Oman Mawalah • Chili’s Restaurant • Costa Coffee • Al Makan Café • Starbucks • Tim Hortons • VLCC Wellness MBD • Bank Dhofar • Centrepoint (Splash) • SPAR • NBO • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Pizza Hut • Pizza Muscat • Shell Petrol Station MGM • Caribou Coffee • Gloria Jean’s Coffees • Just Falafel • Ooredoo • Paul • Tim Hortons Al Mina • Bait Al Baranda • Bait Al Zubair MSQ • Al Fair • Arab Open University • British Council • Costa Coffee • D’Arcy’s Kitchen • Hana’s Slimming & Skincare Centre • Kargeen Caffe • KFC • MacKenzies Café & Deli • Mood Café • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Papa John’s Pizza • Pizza Hut

• Saharz Beauty Salon • Starbucks Al Murtafa’a • Bank Muscat • KFC • Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club Muscat International Airport • Caribou Coffee • Majan Lounge • Plaza Premium Lounge Mussanah • Millennium Resort Muttrah • Shell Petrol Station Qantab • Al Bustan Palace • Marina Bandar Al Rowdha • Oman Dive Center • Shangri-La Qurum • Al Araimi Complex • Balance Health & Fitness • Bank Nizwa • BMW showroom • Burger King • Chili’s Restaurant • Crowne Plaza • Finland Eye Center • Fun Zone • Gloria Jean’s Coffees • The Jungle Restaurant • Left Bank • McDonald’s • Mercedes-Benz Showroom • Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant • Nandos • Nissan Showroom • Oman Oil Petrol Station • Pizza Hut • Qurum Commercial Complex • Ras Al Hamra Club • SABCO Centre • Second Cup • Starbucks • The Sultan Center • Tche Tche Café Rusayl • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-1 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-2 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-3 • Knowledge Oasis

Muscat-4 (ITA) • Middle East College • Omantel • Waljat College of Applied Sciences Ruwi • Apollo Medical Centre • Kamat Restaurant • KFC • Khimji’s Mega Store – Swarovski Showroom • Khimji’s Watches • KM Trading • Oman Air • Oman UAE Exchange • Oman Trading Establishment • Saravana Bhavan Sarooj • Al Fair • Al Masa Mall • City Cinema • Ayana Spa • Cosmeclic • Emirates Medical Center • McDonald’s • Shell Petrol Station • VLCC Wellness Sawadi • Al Sawadi Beach Resort Seeb • Golden Tulip Hotel • McDonald’s Shatti Al Qurum • Bareeq Al Shatti Complex • Caribou Coffee • D’Arcy’s Kitchen • German Eye Centre • The Indus Restaurant • InterContinental Hotel Muscat • Jawharat Al Shatti Complex • Kaya Skin Clinic • Muscat Eye Laser Center • Oasis By The Sea • Second Cup • Starbucks • VLCC Wellness Sifah • Sifawy Boutique Hotel SQU • Diplomatic Club • College of Economics and Political Science

• Students Banking Area • Reception/ Canteen Wadi Kabir • Al Maya Hypermarket • LuLu Hypermarket • Muscat Pharmacy • National Hospitality Institute • Pizza Hut • Shell Petrol Station Wattayah • Ahli Bank • Best Cars • BLS International Services • Chevrolet/GM showroom • Ford Showroom • Hatat House • Honda Showroom • Hyundai Showroom • Kia Showroom • Lexus Showroom • National Travel & Tourism • Passage To India Restaurant • Shell Petrol Station • Subaru Showroom • Suzuki Showroom • Toyota Showroom Al Mouj Muscat • Almouj Golf • Costa Coffee • Oman Sail • Shakespeare & Co. • Al Mouj Muscat Head Office Other Regions Barka • Al Nahda Spa and Resort • LuLu Hypermarket Nizwa • University of Nizwa Sohar • Centrepoint (Splash) • Crowne Plaza • National Gift Markets • Ooredoo • Pizza Hut • Safeer Mall • Sohar Beach Hotel • Sohar Port and Freezone • Sohar University

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Adventures

Cars

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS AND ADVENTURES

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

Even the sands of time canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t part the friendship of this trio, who are pictured here passing time on an uneventful evening in the coastal village of Quriyat.

OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

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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

o the unassuming, the city of Quriyat is a monotonous spot, sitting amid those areas that lie en route to prominent areas such as Sur and Fins, and acting as a gateway towards the heart of the nation. It’s little wonder then that the small coastal city is often overlooked as a place of interest by tourists… including me. After all, a simple 20-minute drive would take you to more striking parts of Oman than you’d normally see in a blogger’s travelogue. Yet, after 35 years of not visiting the city – despite living close by – it struck me that it would only be fair to visit the area for a Destination feature. And that’s what I did this week. They say it’s the little things that add up to make something special; and that’s exactly what makes Quriyat stand out among other parts of the country. Albeit, it must be said that it will require some effort to begin appreciating the little things that set this locale apart. It all begins when you take the turn-off towards the village of Quriyat – a whole 83km away from the capital city. It’s a modest one that won’t seem too different from, say, the village in Sifah, but what it lacks for in appearance it makes up for in character. I experienced this as I was driving past the tight, narrow roads when I came across some old, fit men who were going about their daily chats. They seemed like they must have been in the army at some point in their lives – they looked pretty buff for old guys, to me. Nevertheless, I proceeded onwards without pestering them for photos. This was a lone escapade and the narrow roads, which can only accommodate one car at time, meant that I had to keep moving. Lying ahead of me was the Quriyat Castle – a towering 032

OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

QURIYAT SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI EXPLORES THE COASTAL CITY THAT IS THE GATEWAY TO THE HEART OF THE NATION

monolith describing the history of Oman. If the old mud and stone houses won’t instill a sense of 15th Century Oman in you, then this castle certainly will. Today, it remains open to the public for viewing. But, keep in mind that it used to serve as the family home to the ruler of the lands. It’s amazing how times change – and how we can simply drive up to the castle today and rumble around in V8 chariots (in this case, my truck) loud enough to unsettle the loose mud walls of the oncelooming structure. At this point, however, it’s best to ditch the vehicle and do it like your ancestors did it; on foot. The distinct smell of marine life emanated from the underlying sea while the accompanying breeze made way for a calm Thursday morning. The temperature during my visit couldn’t have been more than 28-degrees-Celsius. With the weather on my side, I powered through, and straight into the Quriyat souk. While it may not possess the glamour and splendour of the Muttrah souk, the one here is rustic and, above all, clean. There was a crowd of tourists eluding the market prices with a session of shopping; grabbing items such as frankincense and jewellery at unbelievably low prices. Perhaps this is the Muttrah souk for those on a budget although I’m not sure the villagers would want that rumour to catch on. In all, it may have taken me more than three decades to commit a day’s time to capture the essence of Quriyat – but after doing so, I can report this: while it’s one of the best layover spots for families and friends taking long trips, there’s a lot of history that you can soak up during your time there. Oh, and yes, there’s no denying that the karak tea (spice tea) they serve there is simply marvellous.

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FIRST DRIVE

CARS ADVENTURES

MERCEDES-BENZ GLC250

As Oktoberfest has us celebrating all things German, Team Y tests a car that combines comfort and class with abundant autobahn allure

t’s the car you and I never asked for yet want to drive around in. The Germans have always had a knack for its paradoxical convictions; like, for instance, bringing cars into a market with no real potential or fan base but then succeeding enough over the years to etch something of a classic out of it. Think about it – our tester, the GLC250, is a coupe-style car that’s based on an SUV that originally intended to be a compact crossover. If that isn’t complicated, then we don’t know what is. Nevertheless, the GLC currently sits neatly in Mercedes’ SUV lineup – just a touch above the smaller (and less attractive) GLA and below the larger GLE and GLS SUVs. The vehicle can be had as a full-blown, familyhauling SUV or a maniacal track-ready beast – it’s simply up to you to decide what you want to shell

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out on. It’s almost like the brand has come to terms with buyers wanting ridiculous requests on their cars. But the GLC Coupe is anything but ridiculous. Our tester came in the GLC250 Coupe skin – the simplest moniker the Coupe can don in the Mercedes lineup. Though, we couldn’t, for the love of all things holy, figure out how it could classify itself as an entry-level variant. Just look at it: sharp curves, a low-slung profile, flared fenders, and a wide stance; the GLC250 Coupe certainly separates it from its competitors. While most German “premium” compact SUVs follow a brash approach to design, this one keeps things simple, though with a perfect dash of sportiness and practicality. So, even in this trim, you’ll receive elegant 20-inch (50cm) 14-spoke AMG alloys, Mercedes’ three-dimensional grille, and a chrome-tipped lip on the bumper. This, coupled with the customary Mercedes head lamps and daytime running lights make for a very handsome prospective in this niche segment. What is also remarkable is that it’s 6cm longer and 3cm lower than the BMW X4 that it competes with. Our tester came fitted with some extra goodies as a part of the EXCLUSIVE interior, which we found to be supremely comfortable. There’s ample space for passengers and the driver too, even if the roofline cuts into the head room. Those above 182cm tall, however, will have their work cut out. The seats are comfortable, and offer superior lumbar support and side bolstering, which makes sense when you’re powering through sharp bends or making quick manoeuvres on the highway. Leather covers much of the seat surfaces and padded surfaces make up much of the other panels. So, the

general brigade should admire the overall build quality. Aside from that, there are wood-trim and faux-aluminium options to garnish the interior but each to his or her own, and Mercedes will spec the car based on your needs. The flat-bottom steering wheel – which comes with cruise and music control buttons – is thick-rimmed but also offers excellent ‘10 and 3’ positions for your hands when driving. Meanwhile, what carries over from the previous generation variants is the gear stalk where you’d normally find your wiper controls. Undoubtedly, the interior is quite engaging – and it all revolves around the 8-inch (20cm) display, which controls all your infotainment needs. It’s graphically sound but would definitely benefit from the touch

Destination

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

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS

MERCEDES-BENZ GLC250 Specifications: • Engine: 2.0-litre ‘turbocharged’ in-line four-cylinder • Transmission: Nine-speed automatic • Power: 211hp • Torque: 350Nms All-wheel-drive Auto engine stop-start 20-inch alloy wheels 8-inch infotainment screen Staggered Dunlop tyres 14-way power adjustable driver’s seat Leather upholstery Traction and stability controls Parking sensors 360-degree around-view monitor Cruise control Steering-mounted controls Sunroof

interface that the new A-Class packs. The GLC Coupe’s boot can stash about 500 litres of raw baggage, and more so with the rear seats folded flat. Mind you, there is a spare wheel that takes up much of the space dead in the centre. That said, where the GLC250 strikes back is in efficiency. And at the forefront of it all lies a 2.0-litre in-line fourcylinder turbocharged motor and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The result is 211hp and 350Nms of torque –divided between the wheels via Mercedes’ 4Matic AWD system. It’s not the sprightliest machine on the road but given the right conditions it’ll march up to 100kph from a standstill in a respectable eight seconds. While the efficiency-minded engine rakes in points for its frugal approach, there’s a slight lag before the turbos gain steam and build up power. Still, with a massive chunk of torque delivered between the 1,500 and 3,800rpm, there’s urgency in the way the vehicle speeds off. Gearshifts

are smooth – and without the obvious dual-clutch jerkiness. The vehicle strikes a clean balance between comfort and sportiness, with the GLC250 offering excellent levels of passenger comfort even on rough roads. Bumps are soaked in efficiently, while the Michelin rubber (255/45 front and 285/45 rear) do a great job in providing adequate levels of grip. Harsh corners can be dealt with easily, and body roll is mitigated by the roll bar with efficacy. But flirting with the corners can reveal a handful of understeer. That said, the electric steering system is light at city speeds and picks up more weight as you go along. However, it’s still one of the lightest systems we’ve ever tried out on an SUV – and it makes way for a very calming drive. As expected, there’s no feedback from the steering rack but it’s concealed by the responsive system that adapts to its ratios with ease.

THE VEHICLE STRIKES A CLEAN BALANCE BETWEEN COMFORT AND SPORTINESS, WITH THE GLC250 OFFERING EXCELLENT LEVELS OF PASSENGER COMFORT EVEN ON ROUGH ROADS Noise, vibration, and harshness levels in the cabin are kept to a minimum with superior sound-deadening materials. Refinement, as expected, is where Mercedes-Benz exceeds expectations – and it doesn’t disappoint. All in all, the GLC-Class Coupe is a fun alternative to the SUV it’s based on. But, the statement is clear: the GLC Coupe isn’t for everybody. It takes guts to walk into a showroom and opt for the Coupe as opposed to the larger SUV. But, it doesn’t fail its buyer. Instead, it captures the true crux of Mercedes SUVs: reliability, practicality, (a fair dose of) sportiness, and above all, sophistication.

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CARS ADVENTURES GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

The peaks of the Swiss Alps have long drawn skiers and mountaineers to their slopes. Today their alpine resorts continue to attract tourists seeking the thrill of adrenaline, fresh air, and natural wonder.

1. Enjoy a view for the ages with a helicopter ride over the Matterhorn 2. Take the kids on the town mascot Wollisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Treasure Hunt 3. Try your luck on the zip-wire at Furi Adventure World 4. Visit the Matterhorn Museum for an insight into alpine living 5. Channel your inner Torvill & Dean at the Obere Matten ice rink

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Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Laird McInnes recommends

ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND F

ew places in the world can be found that don’t admit the motor vehicle. But when you find one that eschews the exhaust fumes of Henry Ford’s invention then you know you’re in the right place for some serious R&R. Here, you leave your vehicle in a secure car park, then take the Glacier Express train into this magnificent alpine resort, which takes about 12 minutes. It’s an altogether more pleasant take on Park & Ride, if you will. Geared towards skiing, snowboarding and skating in winter, and biking, hiking and adventure sports in summer, Zermatt has been pulling in pleasure-seekers since the Victorian era. A picturesque place teeming with narrow lanes and venerable but wonky-looking wooden chalets, it’s an adventure playground endowed with traditional charm and imbued with Swiss affluence and efficiency. The town is surrounded by 38 summits above 4,000m, and its lucky 5,700 residents include pop superstars Phil Collins and Anni-Frid Lyngstad (ABBA). The lack of cars means this magical place has a unique atmosphere. As it nestles within a mountain valley shrouded by the glowering presence of the Matterhorn, it’s about as close to a real-life fairytale experience as you're ever likely to get.

G O S K II NG

My favourite place In summer, Sunnegga is a paradise for families, with swimming to be had in the azure waters of Lake Leisee, and the children’s playground and barbecue areas mean you can easily spend the afternoon up here. This spot is also the starting point for hiking and biking trails, including descent trails for the Kickbike (a kind of scooter), which you can hire if you fancy coming down the mountain back to Zermatt at your own pace. In winter, Sunnegga offers direct access to the ‘pistes’ (including Wolli’s Park, for beginners) and winter hiking trails. Furi Adventure World, which is 1,857m high, can be reached on foot or by gondola. Young adults can try the zip-wire but the less energetic can simply wallow in the wondrous views from the Hanging Bridge, or take on some pretty terrific walking trails.

ON THE ALPS

ERH THE MATT

UM OR N M U S E

Highlights Well, obviously the skiing. Even if you haven’t progressed much past your ‘snow-plough’ – the accessibility of

easy-to-use runs and plenty of tuition options mean there’s no way you won’t go home a better skier. And the great thing is, the under-10s go free. Here, there’s more than 200km of ‘pistes’ catering for all abilities. Even if you don’t intend to ski, your gondola ride options are many – but arguably the star-turn is the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ride up to Europe’s highest cable-car station on the Klein Matterhorn (3,883m). Summer, or winter, the views to be had here are, quite literally, out of this world. A funicular ride from Zermatt’s station to Sunnegga (2,288m) is another must-do. The four-and-a-half-minute train ride takes you up a rock tunnel through the inside of the mountain and will let you out at a delightful terrace that offers magnificent views.

Lowlights None. Souvenirs This is Switzerland so expect plenty of

opportunities to buy chocolate. Walnut torte or pear bread are some other local delicacies to buy and send or take home.

Getting there Emirates offers regular flights from Dubai to Zurich. From that city, the train journey takes between three and three-and-a-half hours. Where to stay Hotels and holiday chalets abound, and some can be very alluring (and expensive) indeed, with swimming pools and spas. Choose carefully because if you’re here to ski, you don’t want be walking too far to the ski gondola. Walking distances are longer than they look on an online map.

THE OB ERE M ATTE ZERM N ICE RINK IN ATT

Check out options on Booking.com, Kayak, Expedia, and Hotels.com OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

037

-FI THE TECH IN YOU A STEP AHEAD

Destination

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

IN THE LAP(TOP) OF LUXURY Team Y tests out the latest in portable PCs MATEBOOK Believe it or not: Smartphone and telecom giant Huawei is pitting its wits against the best in the business with its new laptop – the MateBook X Pro. While it borders in on Apple MacBook territory in terms of aesthetics, the device holds its own in specifications. Cradled inside the metal chassis is an 8th Gen Intel i7 processor, which is coupled with Intel UHD Graphics 620 and Nvidia GeForce MX150 2GB GDDR5 cards to handle graphic-intensive apps, and 8 or 16Gigs of RAM. Also, we’re hardset on that gorgeous edge-to-edge 13.9-inch 3K screen. The result is supreme performance – all while bordering in on Microsoft Surface and Dell XPS territories. The giants should be worried; very worried. Get it from amazon. com for a steep RO654.

We don’t want to sound like a cliché, but east or west, iPad Pro is the best. Not only does it benefit from Apple’s iOS ecosystem, but for 2018 it also packs the all-new and powerpacked A10X Fusion chip. This means it’s as fast as a laptop (though, not quite there yet), and can process any application you throw at it. Apart from that, it comes with the ultra-crisp 10.5-inch screen with colour gamut that can put laptops to shame and Apple’s ever-reliable keyboard. You’ll also get a 12-megapizel shooter with f/1.8 aperture for your photography needs. Buy yours from LuLu Electronics from RO340.

JACK OF ALL TRADES A MacBook Pro in our list of top laptops for 2018 may not seem like the most original of ideas; we know. But, let’s face it: the 13-Apple Macbook Pro with Touch Bar is as sharp as a razor – figuratively, of course. The operating system is by far the slickest out there and with an option to build it with a Quadcore Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, it makes for a very strong video editing machine, too. The Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 is, frankly, a letdown but the SSD storage and the ample RAM should make for a butter-smooth user experience. It’s a bit overpriced (thank you Tim Cook) at RO670 from SharafDG.

EDITOR’S PICK

THE GAME CHANGER

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THE DELL XPS 13 HAS LONG BEEN PEGGED AS THE MACBOOK PRO OF THE WINDOWS WORLD – AND THAT STAYS TRUE FOR 2018. IS IT THE BEST WINDOWS LAPTOP MONEY CAN BUY TODAY? PROBABLY NOT, BUT IT SURE PUTS UP A FIGHT AGAINST ITS SURE-FOOTED COMPETITORS. FOR THIS YEAR, THE DEVICE PACKS A CLASS-LEADING 8TH GEN INTEL CORE I7 (WITH OPTIONS FOR A CHEAPER I5 CHIPSET) PROCESSOR, INTEL UHD GRAPHICS 620, 16GIGS OF RAM, AND 1TB SSD PORT. ALL OF THIS MAKES IT ONE OF THE BEST PORTABLE DEVICES ON SALE TODAY – EVEN MORE SO THAN THE PRICEY MACBOOK PRO. ITS COMPACT SIZE MEANS IT’S BOTHERED BY THROTTLING WHEN UNDERTAKING HEAVY TASKS BUT IT’S A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR SUCH A GREAT PACKAGE. GET IT FROM LULU ELECTRONICS FOR RO950. JULY OCT 1103- 17- 09/ ISSUE / ISSUE539327

Top 5 Games That'll Have You Glued to Your Seats This October

The Y Geek Squad goes on Black Ops, the ‘B’ roads of Britain, and America’s Wild West FORZA HORIZON 4 - RACING INTO CONTENTION More cars equal more adventure. That seems to be the motto of Forza’s latest release: racing into contention. The game is expected to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, Forza Motorsport 7 but will now incorporate street racing across Great Britain. Players will be offered up to 450 cars – and more as DLCs as time passes – to experience the true British countryside and B-roads. The developers, Turn 10, have worked on the graphics to keep it in tune with rival titles such as F1 2018 and Need for Speed: No Limits. If the past is anything to go by, it’ll also incorporate a strong multiplayer mode. Keep an eye out for this one – it’s going to be motorsport season all over again.

CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 4

Platform: Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

Multiplayer action-adventure games are all the rage now. Just take a look RED DEAD at the wide fanbase of games such REDEMPTION 2 as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) and Fortnite – millions of Hillbilly racketeers and Wild West young people are hooked on it. Trying to capitalise on the evergangs won’t stand a chance when growing market is Activision, with this latest Call of Duty (CoD) you take on the role of outlaw title. Unlike the said games, however, the CoD game comes with Arthur Morgan in the latest Red Dead Redemption game. Rockstar’s latest rendition of the game its own single player ‘Solo Mission’ mode, which should make for several hours of fun. When that’s done, though, you can simply will once again pit you against the villains from 19th Century sign up to tackle players on the internet. That’s where the game America – with the aim of pleasing fellow gang members is expected to stand on its own, too. After all, this is the first title but also to survive. This means you’ll be back at your task of ransacking banks, robbing rival renegades, and so on. The game without a dedicated single player campaign mode like the games of old. Still, we can’t wait to get our hands on this one. is also expected to sport slicker graphics for this year, too. Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

SUPER MARIO PARTY

THE MISSING

Platform: Nintendo Switch

What happens when Hollywood meets the Queen of Crime, Agatha There’s a party at Super Christie? It’s simple: you’ll be left with Mario’s kingdom – and you’re one of the most mysterious games all invited. No, really! This of all time. Not only is the plotline of latest take on a classic game The Missing intriguing but so are the will bring you to Mario like gameplay images. The game has yet to hit shelves and we can you’ve never seen before: in 3D and with a superior physics gaming engine. The game won’t only speculate about the storyline but this side-scrolling cryptic game has promising prospects. To begin with, the voiceover and take a traditional turn like the games of old. Instead, you’ll be forced to play one among several mini-games – some of which physics engine are polished, and the aura of mystery comes from include intriguing puzzles – by connecting with your mates on the puzzle-style 3D figurines that are intricately designed. It has Nintendo Switch. It’s a revolution in multiplayer gaming on the all the comings of an instant classic – but whether it will endure beyond its initial hype remains to be seen. device but will also make way for hours of interesting gaming.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

Beauty

FASHION

JACKET REQUIRED

This autumn, our men want outdoor-wear that shouts street-smarts, savvy, and strength. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s almost as if the 80s are back. Here are some attention-grabbers from H&M.

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T t Ge

k o o L e h

high e h t n to k. o i h fas loo igh et the h From s you g help

Y am e T et, stre

Actually, not a preserve of the Victorian gent, but a versatile accessory that veers between formal and informal. A waistcoat cuts it when worn over a casual shirt with grey jeans or casual trousers. Only slim guys can carry it off, though. This black one really is money for nothing at RO10.99.

No one can go wrong wearing navy. It streamlines any man’s silhouette, and this wool and cashmere coat is soft, well-cut, and looks great over grey or navy trousers with a pair of black toe-cap shoes; all of which really mean business. It’s his for RO79.

In the Reagan era, men were bold, brash, and didn’t balk at the prospect of pink. This light, buttondown Oxford cotton shirt will suit most skin tones, and is easy to pair with light-grey or light-brown trousers. Avoid coupling with dark-coloured trousers, or beige ones unless you want him to look like a piece of Battenburg cake. Buy this one for RO10.99.

It’s not true that people fail to clock your footwear. So, make him step out with purpose with this pair of black Derby shoes that just click with a can-do attitude and a focus to the job at hand. Every step he takes, you’ll be watching him. Buy them, for RO20.99.

The 80s were not a time to be coy about colour, and the puffer jacket is back with a vengeance this autumn. So, ladies, dress him up with your love in this yellow-and-black number that zips up and down, has a drawstring round the waist, and boasts plenty of pockets. It costs RO25.99.

OK, so it’s not cold in Oman so why wear one? Well, U2’s The Edge made it cool in the 80s and now stars like Harry Styles are continuing the trend. Besides, he might need it for that winter weekend break to Turkey or Azerbaijan so why not invest in one? This one is black, of a wool-blend and costs RO4.99.

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HEALTH& BEAUTY

Health

BEAUTY

Fashion

Home

Family

WEATHERPROOF

BEAUTY

With autumn upon us, the change in temperature can wreak havoc on your skin. Here, Team Y offers some beauty tips to help you keep your signature glow

ooler weather and impending winter winds can take a toll on your hair and skin. With October already upon us, how will you survive this fast-approaching season? Here are some survival products you can find at your local chemist or chain store. ❶ Big breakthrough in at-home hair colour. The new Revlon Luxurious ColorSilk Buttercream (www. revloncolorsilk.com) combines nature and science. The luxurious cream formula is enriched with high levels of mango, shea, and coconut butters. This Triple Butter Complex, along with vitamins and antioxidants, enhances delivery of colour. It has 13 shades to choose from, with conditioning and shine in both the colouring process and post-conditioning treatment step. ❷ Keeping lips moist with a pop of colour. What if your balm could also make your lips look as beautiful

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as they feel? New Almay Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm (www.almay.com) combines lip colour and care in one. With 10 beautiful shades of colour to choose from, this liquid formula melts onto lips, instantly drenching them with twice the hydration of bare lips. This makes them softer, smoother, and healthier-looking over time.

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Source: newsusa.com

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SILENT NIGHT

“It can triple your chances of having a heart attack. A lot of patients have high blood pressure because of untreated sleep apnoea. “The condition can raise your chances of having the terminal condition of congestive heart failure by about 58 per cent. We’re talking about the end of the cardiac lifespan being accelerated because of undiagnosed sleep apnoea.” Therefore, make him see his doctor and don’t let him fob you off with the excuse that “it’s just snoring”. You know it’s not just snoring because you turned on your smartphone Snoring may not just be a noisy nocturnal recorder and placed it by his side and confronted him with it over the breakfast habit but a sign of sleep apnoea, a serious table, right? Sure, the kids had a good snigger over their cornflakes and waffles but but treatable condition. Gemma Harrison you are most definitely not amused. And, also, that extreme sleepiness and offers some tips on what to look for and irritation he’s been showing isn’t just to do with being over 40, either. Your doctor is likely to recommend a session at a sleep centre, where he can how to handle it be assessed properly. h dear. Your husband’s pneumatic drill-like snoring has meant Until that can be organised, your doctor may well recommend a CPAP you’ve had to decamp to the spare bedroom yet again. (Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure) device, which is a mask-like gadget that But when the spare bedroom has virtually become will cover his nose and mouth and will provide a constant flow of air that helps your own then you know the problem is more serious than to keep his breathing passages open. you thought. But before seeing your doctor, here are a few tips your husband can do Snoring can affect a lot of people – particularly in middle age, but it meantime: take more exercise, lose some weight, and establish a regular could be a sign of sleep apnoea. sleeping routine. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the most common form, is when the Once he’s hit the sack, try the following: walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep, interrupting normal breathing. Make him sleep on his side This can mean a bad night for both of you, and we all know how Avoiding sleeping on his back means his tongue is less likely to block his debilitating a lousy night’s sleep can be. Therefore, sleep apnoea can have airway. a big impact on your quality of life. Warning signs include loud snoring, noisy and laboured breathing and Try the ‘tennis ball’ trick frequent short periods in which the sufferer often gasps or snorts. Sew a pocket on the back of his pyjama top, place a tennis ball inside and Some sufferers can wake up in a night sweat or need to make frequent sew it up. He won’t be sleeping on his back, I guarantee. visits to the bathroom. Your husband’s disrupted sleep patterns might also make him moody and forgetful. Ease up the nasal passages But for some people, the repercussions can be even worse. Give him a spray to use to irrigate his nasal passages. Dr Stanley Wang, a consultant at the Sleep Disorders Center at the University of Austin, Texas is quite clear on the dangers. Try some throat exercises He says: “Sleep apnoea is common and affects up to one in ten women Make him gargle with water for five minutes, twice a day. Or he can hold his and one in four men. tongue between his teeth and swallow five times; five times a day. “It has a lot of very serious effects. Untreated severe sleep apnoea is Sources: NHS (UK), HelpGuide very dangerous for the heart.

OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

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Trend

YUMMY

THE SPUD MAKES A COMEBACK

Wellâ&#x20AC;¦one could argue it never really went out of style. We go digging deep for flavour with a comforting autumn recipe that will have the whole family asking for seconds!

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New Restaurant

Reviews

Rforooting potatoes Roasted Roots and Chicken Power Bowl with Maple Aioli

Ingredients: § 4 Russet Idaho potatoes, chopped into 1/2-inch (1.2cm) cubes § 3 carrots § 1 turnip, peeled, cut in half lengthwise, and then cut into wedges § 1 red onion, cut into wedges § 1 cup butternut squash, peeled and chopped § 2 beets, rinsed, peeled, cut in half and then cut into wedges § 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided § Salt and pepper § 3 sprigs fresh thyme, removed from stem § 3 cups Swiss chard, removed from stem and chopped § 1 garlic clove, minced § 1 cup cooked rotisserie chicken, chopped

Bake ‘em, fry ‘em, slice ‘em, dice ‘em, mash ‘em. In this week’s edition of Yummy Oman, we’re unearthing the unending ways the mighty tuber brings us oodles of flavour with a fall recipe that’s perfect for the upcoming Thanksgiving season!

orget low-carb diets and Atkins; those sweet, succulent spuds are once again finding their place among meat and vegetables at the dinner table. To celebrate its return to centre-stage, Kita Roberts, of the food blog GirlCarnivore, has recognised the health benefits of a plant-based diet while still including your favourite proteins. She has created a recipe packed with carrots, beets, kale, and Idaho potatoes. Add the sweetness of maple aioli and you’ve got yourself a nutritious meal.

For the Maple Aioli § 4 tablespoons fresh mayonnaise § 1 tablespoon maple syrup § 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon For the Maple Aioli § LaPreheat the oven to 220 degrees Centigrade. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. § Toss all of the vegetables in olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. § Arrange the vegetables in a single layer on the baking tray. Sprinkle with thyme. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, until golden and fork-tender, flipping once, halfway through. § Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Sauté the Swiss chard with the chopped garlic until wilted, for about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. § Whisk the mayonnaise with the maple syrup and cinnamon until combined. Spoon into a serving dish. § Divide the chard evenly in serving bowls. Top with the roasted vegetables and chopped rotisserie chicken. Serve with the maple aioli on the side for dipping. Source: newsusa.com

OCT 11 - 17 / ISSUE 539

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FOOD DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

REVIEWS

Ran p o T

Info Box

SHAKESPEARE AND CO.

Street 6, Al Mouj, Muscat 118 Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. till midnight Contact: (+968) 2418-1363 Dinner for three: RO40.4

SHAKESPEARE AND CO.

TEAM Y TRIES A BRITISH-THEMED EATERY WITH DOWNTON ABBEY-TYPE DÉCOR, AND A BRASS NECK WHEN IT COMES TO PRESENTING THE BILL

fancy restaurant with a British theme in the heart of Oman’s luxury township, Al Mouj; what could possibly go wrong? As it turns out, in the case of the Shakespeare and Co. eatery – everything! But we’re jumping the gun, here, because we’re obliged to say that there’s more to the overall experience than simply gorging on the dishes. The décor, for instance, is splendid. Walking into the restaurant, a soothing familiarity and an aura of Britain’s golden age – not unlike that portrayed in period British dramas – took over. It was all very promising – and frankly we couldn’t stop ourselves from snapping images of the replica chandeliers, lamps, thick-frilled curtains, and the calming light colours of the walls. Nevertheless, our waiter promptly handed us our menu. It’s an elaborate one that packs in everything – starting from breakfast (with everything from pancakes to waffles and beef bacon) all the way to steaks and calorific milk shakes – and is presented in a fancy hardcover book. For starters, we ordered ‘The Crunch’ and three drinks – a chocolate milkshake, a green dragon, and a strawberry lemonade. For mains, we decided to do a smoked salmon salad, a blue cheese salad, and a classic chicken roast. Surprisingly, the starters arrived in about five minutes. While we were impressed by the alacrity of the service, it begged the question as to whether or not the platter, which comprised mozzarella sticks, spring rolls, breaded calamari,

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IT’S ALMOST LIKE THEY DON’T NEED TO TRY HARD TO RAKE IN CUSTOMERS. IT’S A PITY HOW ALL THAT DÉCOR AND EFFICIENT SERVICE IS LET DOWN BY THE DEPLORABLE FOOD

Verdict : 7.5/10 SERVICE 5/10 FOOD 10/10 AMBIENCE A restaurant that’s all show and no go! Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

after our first bite. Not only was the blue-cheese on the salad sparsely scattered, it wasn’t delectable at all – and our friend had to set it aside after having a few pecks at it. The traditional chicken did have its own perks – and the shredded chicken was well-roasted on the outside. But, in what we thought was quite strange, the dish was doused – and by doused, we mean drowned – in piping hot mushroom sauce. We didn’t complain, though, and the meal was quite scrumptious overall. Even the mashed potatoes on the side were thick in consistency and a perfect side for the mushroom sauce and chicken. They didn’t linger on our plates for too long. The last of the dishes – the salmon salad – was refreshing and fresh. The veggies were all crunchy, and the chef had been generous with the dressing. If we were to nitpick, though, we’d say that the salmon was a tad too fatty and chewy. Still, it went down quite nicely. That said, our experience at the Shakespeare and Co. was mixed – but it all soon made sense when we were handed the bill. “RO40.4,” it read. And that summed up the evening. Heartwrenchingly expensive chain food at Al Mouj – it’s almost like they don’t need to try hard to rake in customers. It’s a pity how all that décor and efficient service is let down by the deplorable food. Doth we protest too much, Shakespeare and Co? No.

and potato sticks, had simply been thrust into the fryer and from there onto our plates. And, it didn’t take long for us to realise that it probably had. The vegetable spring rolls were the star-turn of the meal – and even they weren’t enough get our taste buds flowing. The golden crust on the outside was overshadowed by the veggies inside that were too hot from the oil they had been soaked in. On the other hand, the calamari were dipped in what seemed to be an endless abyss of batter, with our bowl of sorry-looking squid looking like it had (figuratively) shed a kilo of skin. The accompanying Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see mozzarella and the potato sticks were bland – and reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com at RO9.5 – frankly, the most expensive frozen food we’ve ever eaten. The chocolate milk shake went amiss, too – and we’d rather you do the one from Baskin Robbins if you want a quality drink. However, it must be said that the strawberry lemonade and the healthy (kaleheavy) green dragon were delicious – and we’d gladly pat the chef on his back. The main course arrived soon – and by soon, we mean a mere two minutes – after. Again, we appreciated the speed of the chefs in pushing their food through quickly but were left disappointed

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