Oman and Yemen

close neighbours

The Saudi lead attacks on Yemen seem to have become more aggressive and widespread following the death of 50 Bahraini and UAE troops who are engaged in military action in Marib Yemen.  Inexplicably the damage includes the home of Oman’s Ambassador to Yemen.

Shibam Yemen
Shibam Yemen

Oman, which is not involved the attacks lead by the other five members of the GCC,   Continue reading “Oman and Yemen”

Oman’s Majlis Al Shura

Ready for elections

Oman’s Majlis Al Shura is an elected body which, as its name states, consults and also advises the government of Oman. Each Wilaya (an administrative area) in Oman with a population of 30,000 or above are represented by two members, while Wilaya with fewer are represented by one member.

Ali Al Jabri election poster in front of Oman's Majlis Al Shura
Ali Al Jabri election poster in front of Oman’s Majlis Al Shura

The election during 2011 had Continue reading “Oman’s Majlis Al Shura”

Oman’s Humpback Whale

a lecture given by Andrew Wilson

Andrew Wilson, a researcher at ESO Whale and Dolphin Research Group with his company Five Oceans, gave a very informative presentation about Oman’s Humpback Whale population. This is probably the world’s only sedentary population of Humpback Whales, as over the last 70,000 years it separated from the rest of the Indian Ocean population and settled in Oman’s waters. The seasonal sea temperature changes caused by the summer Monsoon and rich marine food supplies (Sardines & Euphasids) enables both breeding and feeding within the same body of water.

Andrew Wilson explains about Omans Humpback Whale Population
Andrew Wilson explains about Omans Humpback Whale Population

Andrew explained Continue reading “Oman’s Humpback Whale”

Oman Saudi Road near opening

possibly as early as October

The announced Oman Road to Saudi opening will create the 1st direct tarmac road linkage between Oman and Saudi Arabia, despite the border between the two countries being some 700 kilometres long. This is all about to change with the Oman Road to Saudi opening south-east of the international border intersection between Oman, Saudi & the UAE.

Rub Al Khali
Rub Al Khali / Empty Quarter

The Oman section runs from Continue reading “Oman Saudi Road near opening”

Opinions about Oman

in a volatile region

Giorgio Cafiero, contributes articles to a number of media organisations about the Arabian Gulf (yes as we are in Oman it’s not the Persian Gulf at the moment). After some analyses of the background of foreign fighters by ‘The International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence’ (an organisation created by various academic institutions)  in Syria he noticed there were none from Oman. In his article in the online Huffington Post he notes that “unlike other Gulf Arab monarchies, hard-line Wahhabism/Salafism is not

Red Bull 5Pics opening
Red Bull 5Pics opening

a pillar of Muscat’s Continue reading “Opinions about Oman”