Foreign Affairs 'Silent Partner - How Oman Became the Middle East's Indispensable Nation'

Foreign Affairs published an article about Oman at the end of October. One may find it here:

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/142323/bilal-y-saab/silent-partner

Today in Jalan, Oman....

School - Jalan, Oman

This is not Ebola or a response to some outbreak as it may appear in the photos, but a 'protest' against the smelly fish factory in the area. Jalan is a town in the Sharkiyya region of Oman.

Nov 18, MOTC will inaugurate Sohar Airport

congrats sohar

1

Video: Oman A Nation Transformed

Heavy on the business and investment angle...

New Photos from Oman after HMs speech / Sohar employs celebratory 'drone'...............

Sohar

Salalah region - many towns held parades this morning

Reactions to HM's speech from around Oman

If you have not heard, HM addressed the nation today by video and relayed that due to known reasons would not be attending National Day. This was his first public appearance since early last summer. He thanked the people for their sentiments and the Armed Forces for their dedicated service and patriotism. Upon hearing the news, many people expressed sincere prayers to the almighty for his good health and prosperity.

His speech can be found here (Oman TV): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOLa9wweX7Y

Official Statement:

Statement:

“Dear citizens, it is our pleasure to greet you as our lovely Nation is celebrating the glorious 44th National Day.”

“We thank Allah for blessing us with wisdom to lead Oman to a modern nation with a promising future.”

“Our nation is heading forward with steady fundamentals since the emergence of renaissance. ”

“Due to Allah’s will, the National Day coincides with our presence in Germany for reasons you all know.”

“We thank Allah, for His blessings for achieving good medical results,which requires us to follow medical program.”

“We express our deep grattitude for your warm & sincere prayers and feelings.”

“We would like to thank the Royal Armed Forces of Oman for their dedicated services. We appreciate their patriotism.”

Today Omani school

Today Musandum

Today Musandum

Today - Ibri

Today - watching HM's speech

Omani boy meets HM - previous years

National Day decorations hung today..waiting to lite

Today, I noticed Omani flags and strands of lights are in place along Sultan Qaboos Road and the new Express way. Muscat Municipality must have had their labour force out all last night hanging the flags. The citizens and residents of Oman are waiting and praying for the safe return of His Majesty.

One of the most beautiful buildings that will be lit for National Day is the Opera House. And, the unoccupied Ruwi Sheraton actually serves a purpose with all its red and green lights during this time. The 'Sheikh' of Wadi Kabir put this notice out regarding decorating.

Prince Harry to Visit Oman for National Day

It's been reported Prince Harry will come to Oman on November 18th and participate in the National Day events. Then, he will travel to the UAE to play in a Polo match for charity on November 20th.

(http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/prince-harry-announces-middle-east-mini-tour-including-a-polo-match-2014311)

Prince William & Prince Harry playing polo

2010 - Grandmother of Prince Harry with HM Sultan Qaboos

1979

1982

2010

Touching story: Kuwati man finds Omani man who worked for his family after 44 years

A Kuwati man had been looking for an Omani man that worked for his family in the 1960s. The Kuwati was 12 years old at that time. He contacted Oman's Ministry of Interior in search of the Omani, but there were over 500 people with the same name as the Omani.  After arriving in Muscat, the Kuwati told a taxi driver his saga and the taxi driver called his friend. It turns out by coincidence (or fate) the father of the taxi driver's friend was the old employee of the Kuwati's family. The next day the Kuwati drove to Sur to be reunited with the Omani man after 44-45 years. The Omani remembered him well and the names of the Kuwati's family. In the 1960's-1970's many Omani worked in other GCC countries.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzfM9zBrqjI

Reunion @ Sur, Oman Shell Station

Source: http://alroya.om/ar/mixing/113552

Talib bin Mamari, former Omani Shura member sentenced to 3 years

Talib bin Mamari, the former Shura member was sentenced to three years jail last Thursday. This was the final judgement from the Muscat Appeals court; however, the verdict is appealable to the Supreme court. He was convicted of wrongful gathering, blocking the roads (referring to a protest in Liwa over the pollution of the Port), and inciting and undermining the State (apparently there was a fiery speech made in the local mosque by Mr Mamari when out on bail). An elected Municipal council member from Liwa was also convicted of wrongful gathering and sentenced to one year jail term. Mr. Mamari's immunity from prosecution (Shura members have immunity from most crimes) was lifted and his member seat lost as he is convicted of a crime.

I find the verdict reasonable for the region considering in other Middle Eastern nations the verdict for inciting or undermining the state could be death penalty (such as last month in Saudi - the Shia protest leaders) or more than 10 years (UAE) or just locked and never heard from again. On the other hand, I find the citizens complaint of the pollution also reasonable and that I hope that they have been heard and something is done to improve the situation.

The press release from Amnesty International regarding Al Mamari:

http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/oman-release-politician-jailed-taking-part-environmental-protest-2014-10-30

Omani jail is survivable. I know several westerns who have been locked up for less than thirty days in local jail. They said they were not beaten but slept on the hard floor (however - I have heard that (beating) has happened on interrogation of other cases). Many of the fellow residents were from India and Bangladesh. I was able to visit one friend in jail and bring him English reading materials and snacks. Also, the ROP officer made us tea during the visit. Not to say his served time was a piece of cake, my 'inmate' friend was quite torn up over the experience but came out unscathed before being deported back down under.

Mr Mamari at Liwa protest

1, US Embassy issues warning for teachers //2, Silly prank video on Oman Air

1, The US Embassy issued a warning that western teachers could be targeted by extremists; no specific threat mentioned for Oman but for Saudi and Egypt.

October 29, 2014

The Embassy wishes to notify the American community of a recent anonymous posting on an extremist website which encouraged attacks against American and other western teachers in the Middle East. The website specifically referenced teachers at schools in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Maadi (Egypt) as examples of locations with high concentrations of potential targets.  The Embassy is unaware of any specific, credible threat against any American or western school or individuals in Oman. 

----------------------

2, This was going around the last few days. a little silliness...re Oman Air (not related to above post)

No Women Fans Allowed / Gulf Cup 2014 @ Riyadh

It was announced today no women will be able to attend the football matches (be in the stadium) of the Gulf Cup 2014 to be held in Saudi Arabia in November. Apparently, an Omani official agreed with the decision. The reasoning being it will cut down on 'soft sex'. Oman won the Gulf Cup in 2009.

http://shabiba.com/News/Article-61425.aspx  (In Arabic)

Operation Oman

A new film about the Dhofar Rebellion and Britain's involvement is coming out. It looks interesting with old footage of Oman and perspectives of veteran British fighters. There will be several screenings in the UK in November.

http://www.operationoman.com/#!info/co58

'More than 40 years have passed since Britain fought a secret war in Oman.  Major Nicholas Ofield has returned for the first time since his involvement in the conflict to retread his battlegrounds and reflect on what the conflict meant personally, and in the wider socio-political context.  Supported with rare archive footage and interviews from Colonel Mike Ball and Major Mike Austin, who also fought in the conflict, Operation Oman is the gripping true story of one of the most successful

counter-insurgency campaigns ever fought.'

'Desert People'

https://twitter.com/OperationOman

UPDATES ***US Navy (JTWC) / High Potential Cyclone development & heading toward Oman

Due to conflicting reporting in Oman, to see updates for this cyclone and to track with various models see link below and scroll to nilofar:

http://www.tropicaltidbits.com/storminfo/

Current Satellite : http://wxug.us/1lcul

As of 28 Oct 7pm Omani timing

As of 27 Oct

 Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)

Click to enlarge

From Muscat Daily /27Oct

“There is nothing to worry about the storm like it was reported a few days ago. Even if it strikes, it will be hardly anything and there will be no destruction,” a Met official said, adding that going by the latest reading, the storm would not last long.

Read more: http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Oman/No-major-threat-from-tropical-storm-Nilofar-yet-Met-dept-3jql#ixzz3HKeirNcG 

OmanNew News  27/Oct

Ferry Shina to Maseera halted from 9am 27Oct - High waves

As of 25 Oct

Follow updates here': http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/ab/abioweb.txt

ABIO10 PGTW 242230
MSGID/GENADMIN/JOINT TYPHOON WRNCEN PEARL HARBOR HI//
SUBJ/SIGNIFICANT TROPICAL WEATHER ADVISORY FOR THE INDIAN OCEAN
/REISSUED/242230Z-251800ZOCT2014//
REF/A/MSG/JOINT TYPHOON WRNCEN PEARL HARBOR HI/242151OCT2014//
AMPN/REF A IS A TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION ALERT.//
RMKS/
1. NORTH INDIAN OCEAN AREA (MALAY PENINSULA WEST TO COAST OF AFRICA):
   A. TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARY: NONE.
   B. TROPICAL DISTURBANCE SUMMARY:
      (1) THE AREA OF CONVECTION PREVIOUSLY LOCATED NEAR 11.2N 
61.3E, IS NOW LOCATED NEAR 11.6N 61.1E, APPROXIMATELY 730 NM SOUTH-
SOUTHEAST OF MUSCAT, OMAN. ANIMATED INFRARED SATELLITE IMAGERY 
DEPICTS A FAIRLY BROAD AREA OF ORGANIZING DEEP CONVECTION AROUND A 
WIDE LOW-LEVEL CIRCULATION CENTER (LLCC) THAT IS SLOWLY BECOMING 
BETTER DEFINED. A 241705Z AMSU-B AND 241837Z TRMM (PARTIAL) 
MICROWAVE IMAGE REVEALS WEAK AND FRAGMENTED BANDING SHOWING 
CONSOLIDATION ALONG THE NORTHEASTERN PERIPHERY OF THE AREA WITH SOME 
CONVECTION AROUND THE WESTERN PORTION OF THE LLCC. ADDITIONALLY, A 
241758Z PARTIAL ASCAT SHOWS SOME 25 KNOT WIND BARBS ALONG THE 
EXTREME NORTHWEST OF THE AREA. UPPER-LEVEL ANALYSIS INDICATES A 
FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT OF MODERATE (10 TO 20 KNOT) VERTICAL WIND 
SHEAR OFFSET BY GOOD POLEWARD OUTFLOW PROVIDED BY UPPER LEVEL 
TROUGHING OVER NORTHERN INDIA. MULTIPLE GLOBAL MODELS ARE DEVELOPING 
THIS DISTURBANCE INTO A BROAD TROPICAL SYSTEM AFFECTING THE 
NORTHWEST ARABIAN SEA OVER THE NEXT 48 HOURS.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED 
SURFACE WINDS ARE ESTIMATED AT 23 TO 27 KNOTS. MINIMUM SEA LEVEL 
PRESSURE IS ESTIMATED TO BE NEAR 1003 MB. THE POTENTIAL FOR THE 
DEVELOPMENT OF A SIGNIFICANT TROPICAL CYCLONE WITHIN THE NEXT 24 
HOURS IS UPGRADED TO HIGH. SEE REF A (WTIO21 PGTW 242200) FOR 
FURTHER DETAILS.
      (2) NO OTHER SUSPECT AREAS.
2. SOUTH INDIAN OCEAN AREA (135E WEST TO COAST OF AFRICA):
   A. TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARY: NONE.
   B. TROPICAL DISTURBANCE SUMMARY: NONE.
3. JUSTIFICATION FOR REISSUE: UPGRADED AREA 1.B.(1) TO HIGH.//
NNNN

http://www.tropicaltidbits.com/analysis/models/navgem/2014102412/navgem_mslp_pcpn_ind.html

projected path

Ma salama Nawras

Nawras is being rebranded as 'Ooredoo', the Qatari telecom group, by this December. They announced it in September, and this month an aggressive marketing campaign has begun to prepare users for the change. The new branding is being purported to bring international recognition to Oman's phone service.  

The change is in name only; the service will still be the same which I had hoped would be the thing that would be enhanced. I like the 'seagull' logo of Nawras and will miss seeing it compared to this alternate 'red' logo of ooredoo ('I want' in Arabic).

PDO Camp Oman - Before/After Photos

In case you haven't been through Ras Al Hamra lately, PDO is in the process of developing a new residential complex for their employees; it's probably about time. The construction of the project started about two years ago and the results are quite elegant.

PDO CAMP (apologies for the margin overage)
Old	New
	2014 - New villas
Something's low key and relaxing about the old styles; some with view of sea - private outside entrances	2014 - Modern, attractive completed housing - you can see who's home from the main drag
	2014 - New street with housing
New flats under construction	2014 - Almost completed
Ras Al Hamra-1960s when it was a 'camp'	New housing  2014 - Mosque leading into the brand-new development
Existing rec club	2014 -Behind the fence - a new golf course

Omani students give zakat in honour of His Majesty

Omani students of wilayet samail wishing for HM a speedy recovery