Latest news with #AhmedalMahrouqi
Muscat Daily
2 days ago
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
New working group to oversee halal food compliance in Oman
Muscat – Following a ministerial decision (No 215/2025) issued by H E Dr Saud bin Hamoud bin Ahmed al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, the ministry has established a dedicated working group to regulate halal foods in the country. Chaired by Director of Department of Food Specifications and Conformity at the ministry, the group will include representatives from Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs. It will set controls and requirements for halal foods, review and update technical regulations, and re-examine approvals granted to food establishments exporting meat and poultry to Oman. The working group will also coordinate overseas inspections of exporters certified by authorised halal bodies, conduct field visits to local producers and develop a framework for accrediting foreign establishments. Additionally, it will look into governance reforms by creating a system for appointing authorised halal-certification bodies in line with international standards. Halal food – 'permissible' in Arabic – follows dietary guidelines in the Quran that emphasise cleanliness, animal welfare and hygiene. Certification involves auditing preparation practices to ensure the supply chain – from slaughtering to packaging – complies with Islamic law. The decision generated reaction from citizens on social media. Dr Ahmed al Mahrouqi welcomed the move, calling it 'a vital step towards ensuring Omani consumers have complete confidence in the religious and hygienic integrity of what they eat'. He added that aligning certification with global practices would also strengthen Oman's position in international food trade. Another citizen, Khalid al Hinai, said the move reflected 'a strong commitment to Sharia-compliant food standards' and would ensure both imported and locally produced meat products meet the highest religious requirements. 'This will not only boost consumer trust but also strengthen Oman's position as a leader in the halal sector,' he said. Hinai added that hygiene is one of the key reasons many prefer halal food. 'From slaughtering animals to packaging products, hygiene is paramount. This means fewer chances of contamination, resulting in safer food for consumption.'
Observer
11-06-2025
- Science
- Observer
Strawberry Moon graces Oman skies
A full Strawberry Moon graced Oman and some parts of Europe and America on Wednesday, coupled with a rare phenomenon not seen in almost 20 years. Caused by an event known as a 'major lunar standstill', Wednesday night marked the peak of the full Moon. According to Earth Sky, this was the lowest full moon in decades, "because we are in the midst of a major lunar standstill." But it also depends on which hemisphere one is at. They explained that as the inclination of the moon's orbit, which undergoes an 18.6-year cycle and the cycle happens because the moon's orbit is being slowly 'dragged around'. According to the Earth Sky, the Strawberry Moon was also near the bright star, red Antares, 'Heart of the Scorpion in the constellation Scorpius'. The name Strawberry Moon was associated with the short harvesting season and was named by the indigenous Americans. In Europe, however, it is also known as Honey Moon and Mead Moon. Some prefer to be near the sea to see the moon but for Ahmed al Mahrouqi, the best place to be is in the desert. "The best way to watch the full moon is to be in the desert. During the day time, the temperature could be in mid 40s but by night it could come down to 25 degrees Celsius. Even better, take the drive to Salalah on full moon night because it is an exceptional experience."
Observer
03-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman Air, MHT working together to create travel hub
Dubai: The national airline, Oman Air, said that it is closely working with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) to position the Sultanate of Oman as a global travel hub. In a statement, Ahmed al Mahrouqi, Oman Air's Vice President of Sales, "We've had a good four days at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) that offered a platform for Oman Air to deepen partnerships and spotlight our strategic initiatives, including network expansions such as the launch of our Amsterdam route this July and double daily flights to London." The airline recently introduced a new stopover program with Visit Oman, inviting transit guests to pause in Muscat and transform layovers into experiences, he said. The four-day travel trade show brought together a record-breaking 2,800 exhibitors from 161 countries, alongside 55,000 attendees from across the world. At ATM, Oman Air signed new General Sales Agent (GSA) agreements with Mohammed Abdulaziz Al-Othaim Travel & Tourism Company in Saudi Arabia and Nsas Avia Solutions in Egypt, strengthening the airline's presence in two key markets and supporting its regional commercial growth strategy. As per the first phase of the Stopover programme, visitors can choose customisable packages ranging from four hours to four days and accommodation at 3-, 4-, and 5-star hotels, which include transport and tours. The package includes a daily buffet.
