We went to Muscat’s Royal opera House to hear Sherine, one of the Arab Music World’s mega stars.
Collecting the pre-paid tickets Continue reading “Sherine in Muscat at the Royal Opera House”
Sherine in Muscat at the Royal Opera House
Month: January 2014
Muscat Festival 2014 in Amarat
Now that the Muscat Festival 2014 is underway I went mid-afternoon for a visit.
It was nice to see the familar Continue reading “Muscat Festival 2014 in Amarat”
One of Oman’s small Forts and a nice Camel Race
With the nice weather it was great to be able to make a very early start and attend Camel Races on the open plain in Oman.
Some of our Continue reading “One of Oman’s small Forts and a nice Camel Race”
Tripartite deal involving Oman, UAE and Iran to settle Islands Dispute
In what must be one of the more intriguing diplomatic agreements in recent years – Oman, UAE and Iran seem to have made various agreements regarding various pieces of territory . The Christmas Eve visit by Sheikh Mohammed Al Nahyen (the effective leader of the UAE – though his brother is President) into Oman may have been the critical discussion period between Oman and the UAE – if true.
The interesting claims in the link below – rest on a high-level source in the UAE – who may be trying to bounce the agreement along. Oman has held on to its Musandam territory against fierce opposition – so if true it would be extraordinary. The islands in The Gulf – the Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa, (were immediately occupied by Iran under the Shah when Britain pulled out ‘East of Suez’ – & the might of the USA was not interested in readjustment) – will have their above-sea land occupied by the UAE and the seabed by Iran. Possibly as a means of getting agreement on that island release, Oman is said to have been willing to grant Iran a base in Musandam, Oman’s northern peninsula. Iran will supply Oil and Gas to Oman via a pipeline – to be constructed.
Oman could use the energy for many reasons mostly for re-export I guess – though it does have gas via the Dolphin pipeline from Qatar. Iran presumably wishes an oversight across the Straight of Hormuz, and it has found a way to effectively occupy land on both sides. The UAE is going to be happy at its increase in real estate quite apart from the diplomatic agreement.
Oman centuries ago occupied various ports in Iran, including what is now Bandar Abbass. Sultan Qaboos made a visit into Iran in 2013 and it seems the two countries are maintaining the pace of diplomatic entente. Oman and Iran seem to be quite comfortable in their long-term relationship – the result of millennia of contact – and population mixing.
The USA is claimed to be accepting of this, but one wonders what Oman’s neighbour, Saudi Arabia will make of all this – indeed Oman has yet to make a comment. Its a nebulous piece of journalism.
Oman Environment Day
Each 8th January is Oman Environment Day. One of the things that affects the environment is plastic especially as for so many people they dump it without any thought.
The result is Continue reading “Oman Environment Day”
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