Category: Oman

Oman’s built history stretches back 5,000 years, its one of the Arab world’s most enduring cultures. Today its a modern economy with a hospitable population .

GCC MEETING RIYADH 2022 is also attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salam Al Saud, Oman’s Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said and other Gulf leaders at King Abdul Aziz International Convention Centre on December 9, 2022. This is during the GCC Meeting Riyadh 2022. Despite the attendance of the Chinese President Continue reading “GCC MEETING RIYADH 2022 is also attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping“

THE EU MAY SOON OFFER VISA FREE TRAVEL TO OMANI CITIZENS

The EU may soon offer Visa free travel to Omani citizens. Draft legislation will have to be endorsed by the full house of the European Parliament. Who knows – perhaps a reciprical arrangement will be made – Visa free travel for EU citizens into Oman…

Visa Entry & Exit stamps UAE & Oman
Visa Entry & Exit stamps UAE & Oman

https://timesofoman.com/article/124137-european-parliament-panel-nod-to-visa-free-travel-for-omani-citizens

UNESCO LISTS OMAN’S KHANJAR within its listing of craft skills and social practices as part of Intangible Heritage.

The Omani Khanjar has just been inscribed on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list.

Khanjar & Mobile Phone
Khanjar & Mobile Phone

This traditional dagger, a Khanjar, is an important part of Continue reading “UNESCO LISTS OMAN’S KHANJAR within its listing of craft skills and social practices as part of Intangible Heritage.“

The Last Word for IASA my unexpected contribution to the International Association for the Study of Arabia

I am absolutely delighted that the International Association for the Study of Arabia (IASA https://iasarabia.org/) gave me the ‘last word’ in their 2022 Autumn Edition (number 29).

The Last Word - International Association for the Study of Arabia IASA Bulletin 2022
The Last Word – IASA Bulletin 2022

The IASA is a charitable organisation that exists to advance public knowledge of the Arabian Peninsula, through the promotion of research relating to its cultural and natural heritage. Continue reading “The Last Word for IASA my unexpected contribution to the International Association for the Study of Arabia“

Procession of the Queen’s lying-in-state for Queen Elizabeth

I joined the crowds assembled to watch the procession of The Queen’s lying-in-state.

Capt Amy Cooper riding Lord Firebrand
Capt Amy Cooper riding Lord Firebrand

Opposite the Cabinet Office and Foreign Office in London, with an uninterrupted, privileged, view of the procession and sunny weather, it was a grand occasion. Continue reading “Procession of the Queen’s lying-in-state for Queen Elizabeth“

Oman’s new Ministers and senior Government Officials are appointed

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq has made a number of Ministerial and other important changes of personnel in Oman. (He also made changes in 2020)

Oman’s oil minister Continue reading “Oman’s new Ministers and senior Government Officials are appointed”

Jokha Alharthi’s latest book in English, the Bitter Orange Tree

Jokha Alharthi’s latest book in English, the Bitter Orange Tree, is another reflection, through the eyes of a protagonist, about several generations of an Omani family.

In the Bitter Orange Tree Zuhour, who is the protagonist, arrives in a snow covered British city to study. She slumps into a mournful reflection about a newly dead ‘grandmother, a miserable older sister and a depressed mother.

Zuhour lyrically remembers her grandmother’s scent of “civet musk, precious aloeswood oil, and ancient soil”.

Bitters Oranges Jokha AlHarthi
Bitters Oranges Jokha AlHarthi

As with Jokha Alharthi’s last Continue reading “Jokha Alharthi’s latest book in English, the Bitter Orange Tree”

Sultan Haitham to visit London

Sultan Haitham will visit London on 14 December.

Sultan Haitham Al Said

He will be accompanied by Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, the Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs, Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, General Sultan bin Mohammed Al Numani, Minister of the Royal Office, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman and Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Zaher Al Hinai, Oman’s ambassador to the United Kingdom.
This will be Sultan Haitham’s first visit to Great Britain as Sultan. His son, Sayyid Theyazin, was a diplomat at Oman’s UK embassy.

Oman ratifies the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications this protects brand names that are geographic in nature.

Oman ratifies the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications by by Royal Decree 19/2021 on February 15, 2021 .

Omani Halwa
Omani Halwa being made

This Geneva Act in itself is Continue reading “Oman ratifies the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications this protects brand names that are geographic in nature.“

Middle East’s most powerful women

The annual ranking of the Middle East’s most powerful women in business has now been revealed by Forbes Middle East. From the sultanate, four Omani women have made to the coveted top 50 of The Middle East’s Power Businesswomen 2021.

From Oman, Haifa al Khaifi,

Haifa al Khaifi
Haifa al Khaifi

who was recently named CEO of Energy Development Oman (EDO) is ranked 30th. Continue reading “Middle East’s most powerful women”