First woman head of police station in Oman

In the government services area that is bisected by Maydan Al Fath St is the largest of the original Royal Police Stations (ROP) in Muscat.

Shaikha al Hambasiyah
Shaikha al Hambasiyah

Next to the Oil Terminal, main accident Hospital, Police Sports Stadium and Law College, Wattayah station is probably the busiest station in Muscat. Its also a mini jail with a large cell block to hold people overnight, perhaps for further investigation. From this week the Police Officer in charge is a woman, Lieutenant–Colonel Shaikha bint Ashour al Hambasiyah who joined the ROP in 1990. She is the first Omani woman officer to be appointed head of a police station in Oman. I can imagine that Helen Mirren’s role in ‘Prime Suspect’ will give an idea of the challenges Shaikha al Hambasiyah had on her rise.

Author: Tony Walsh

Book author including the current Bradt guide to Oman