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Muscat Daily
28-04-2025
- General
- Muscat Daily
Oman steps up cultural diplomacy with new project
Muscat – H H Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, has issued a decision to form the Omani Cultural Laboratories project team. The project is a joint effort between Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MCSY), Cultural Club and Bait al Zubair Foundation. It aims to adopt cultural programmes and encourage partnerships between government bodies, private organisations and academic institutions, both locally and internationally. The project is part of MCSY's broader cultural strategy focused on creativity, renewal and promotion of Omani identity on the global stage. Omani Cultural Laboratories will present the sultanate's cultural heritage through exhibitions, research projects, intellectual forums and international collaborations. These are designed to highlight Oman's civilisational legacy and contribute to global cultural dialogue. 'The decision comes within the framework of strengthening the national cultural movement, and enhancing partnerships and integration between various cultural institutions,' said H E Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidi, MCSY Undersecretary and General Supervisor of the project. 'It underscores the importance of supporting cultural development programmes in the sultanate, consolidating Oman's cultural identity and enhancing its presence in regional and global forums.' Dr Mohammed bin Ali al Balushi, Chairman of Board of Directors of Cultural Club and Vice-Chairman of the executive team, welcomed the project. 'The Omani cognitive memory carries cultural content and intellectual achievements that must be communicated abroad,' he said. 'It is our collective responsibility to engage in projects such as these cultural laboratories to contribute to the knowledge exchange movement in the world.' Dr Mohammed Abdul Karim al Shehhi, Head of the executive team, stressed the importance of preserving and sharing Oman's intellectual heritage. 'We appreciate the ministry's continued commitment to providing the means to transform Omani cultural heritage into a source of knowledge for interested parties everywhere,' he said. 'This cooperation between Bait al Zubair and Cultural Club reinforces a tradition where efforts are unified under the umbrella of the state, translating its vision and aspirations.' MCSY reaffirmed its commitment to supervising the project directly, aiming to strengthen Oman's identity and enhancing its cultural visibility regionally and globally via cultural diplomacy. H H Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said
Observer
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Unique experiences families seek out during Ramadhan
Ramadhan in Oman signifies a period of adjustment. It is also a time when rich traditions blend with engaging activities. For Omanis and residents alike, life truly begins after Iftar—a moment when families gather around tables, sharing meals and creating memories that last a lifetime. Beyond the enjoyment of delicious food, the nights are vibrant with cultural events, entertainment, and the warmth of togetherness. Salem Al Yahyaei and his family eagerly anticipate their Iftar, which often takes them to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. 'It's more than just a meal for us,' Salem shares. 'The atmosphere is magical—imagine open-air feasting accompanied by the melodies of traditional Omani music.' His 10-year-old son, Abdulrahman, beams with excitement: 'They have spectacular shows after Iftar! I love participating in the craft workshops. For me, Ramadhan is not just about fasting; it's about celebrating and learning!' Ahmed and Sarah, a couple from Egypt, enjoy the simple pleasure of evening strolls. 'After our Tarawih prayers, we wander the picturesque Muttrah Corniche,' Ahmed explains. 'The streets are alive with families, the night air is refreshing, and we indulge in Omani treats like 'Khanfaroush' while soaking up the vibrant Ramadhan atmosphere.' Sarah adds, 'It's the perfect way to relax and digest our meal while basking in the festive charm around us.' For Fatima Al Jabri, a busy mother of five, Ramadhan nights present an opportunity to explore the lively souqs. 'We adore visiting Nizwa Souq and Muttrah Souq during this time,' she enthusiastically recounts. 'The markets come alive with stalls brimming with dates, perfumes, and delightful foods. My children are fascinated by craftsmen showcasing their skills.' Her husband, Salem, adds, 'Shopping centres offer enchanting Ramadhan activities too—storytelling sessions and creative workshops that keep the kids engaged.' Unique experiences families seek out during Ramadhan For sports enthusiast Ahmed Al Yaqoubi, the essence of Ramadhan nights is mirrored in friendly football matches. 'After Iftar and Tarawih, it's game time with my friends,' he says. 'We gather in neighbourhoods, and the excitement is infectious. Many young people flock to gyms too, keeping the energy high with special Ramadhan fitness offers.' His friend Mazen adds, 'There's just something about the camaraderie during these games that makes Ramadhan feel even more special.' Khaled and Laila, a couple from Jordan, relish immersing themselves in Omani culture during Ramadhan. 'We love visiting the Oman Museum through time, especially during the evening hours,' Khaled shares. 'They host interactive activities that make learning enjoyable for our children. The traditional music performances create an enchanting atmosphere.' Laila points out the vibrant cultural seminars and poetry nights at the Cultural Club in Muscat, where stories of Omani heritage and folklore come alive, enriching the spirit of Ramadhan. For Walid Al Hasani and his family, the great outdoors becomes a sanctuary during Ramadhan. 'Sometimes we escape to the mountains for a cooler evening under the stars,' he says. 'With coffee and dates in hand, we share stories until Suhoor.' His wife, Hind, adds joyfully, 'The beaches call to us too! Imagine small gatherings around a fire at Qantab Beach, where laughter echoes and children play in the sand—these moments are the heart of our Ramadhan experience.'
Observer
25-02-2025
- Business
- Observer
MHT to redesign, transform major tourist destinations
Muscat: Tourism has fully recovered from the repercussions of the pandemic, but the private sector is still dealing with issues such as financial debt that was incurred around that time. Azzan bin Qasim al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, while speaking at the Omani Economic Association's dialogue session at the Cultural Club in Qurm added that the new projects by the ministry for this year include the transformation of the White Mountain ranges, Ras al Hadd, the Muttrah Waterfront Road, dunes in the North and South al Sharqiyah Governorates, Al Jabal Al Akhdar, the coastal road between Quriyat and Sur apart from the development of the Ibri Cave. He said the number of hotel facilities was around 1,000 facilities at the end of 2024, the volume of investments in the tourism sector has been around RO2.4 billion, and added that there are more than 1,500 establishments that practice the activity of accommodation and operate without a license and the ministry have been correcting the statues of these establishments. The Sultanate of Oman has reopened the tourism representative office in China to target Chinese tourists The government seeks to raise the contribution of the tourism sector to 5.9% of the GDP by 2040, which will also help contribute to enhancing economic diversification and providing more job opportunities for young people in the tourism, hotel and hospitality sectors, and other related sectors. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism hopes to contribute around 2.75% to the GDP at constant prices in 2025 with investments of RO3 billion for the period from 2021 to 2025, and the number of hotel rooms on offer will be 33,000 hotel rooms by the end of the year.
Zawya
25-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: MHT to redesign, transform major tourist destinations
Muscat: Tourism has fully recovered from the repercussions of the pandemic, but the private sector is still dealing with issues such as financial debt that was incurred around that time. Azzan bin Qasim al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, while speaking at the Omani Economic Association's dialogue session at the Cultural Club in Qurm added that the new projects by the ministry for this year include the transformation of the White Mountain ranges, Ras al Hadd, the Muttrah Waterfront Road, dunes in the North and South al Sharqiyah Governorates, Al Jabal Al Akhdar, the coastal road between Quriyat and Sur apart from the development of the Ibri Cave. He said the number of hotel facilities was around 1,000 facilities at the end of 2024, the volume of investments in the tourism sector has been around RO2.4 billion, and added that there are more than 1,500 establishments that practice the activity of accommodation and operate without a license and the ministry have been correcting the statues of these establishments. The Sultanate of Oman has reopened the tourism representative office in China to target Chinese tourists The government seeks to raise the contribution of the tourism sector to 5.9% of the GDP by 2040, which will also help contribute to enhancing economic diversification and providing more job opportunities for young people in the tourism, hotel and hospitality sectors, and other related sectors. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism hopes to contribute around 2.75% to the GDP at constant prices in 2025 with investments of RO3 billion for the period from 2021 to 2025, and the number of hotel rooms on offer will be 33,000 hotel rooms by the end of the year. Observer Web Team
