Latest news with #Kindi
Muscat Daily
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
New book chronicles five decades of Omani cinema
Muscat – Filmmaker and Oman Film Society (OFS) board member Mohammad al Kindi has released a book – titled Tahwalet Cinema Omaniya 1970-2020 (History of Cinema in Oman) – documenting the evolution of the sultanate's film industry over five decades. The 279-page book is the first of its kind to trace the journey of Omani cinema, starting from the 1970s with special focus on the transformative years under the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said. It provides a detailed account of how passionate filmmakers, often with limited resources, shaped a distinct art form. Reflecting on the book's significance, Kindi said, 'This book is an ode to the makers who lit the cinematic flame in Oman. Their stories are not just about making films, but about building a movement, often against the odds. The book doesn't stop at filmmakers, also paying tribute to journalists, theatre personalities and business leaders who played vital roles in supporting the growth of the medium.' The book profiles key figures of the Omani film industry, including pioneering cameramen Taghlib al Barwani and Mohammad Zubair, OFS founding members Haitham al Tai and Khalid al Zadjali, veteran journalist Sheikh Hamood Siyabi, and the late actor-director Salim Bahwan. One section of the book covers the history of OFS, from its early days as a gathering of film enthusiasts to its current status as an influential institution headquartered in Seeb. It also touches on the impact of film fests, such as Muscat International Film Festival and Oman Film Festival, highlighting the role of these in nurturing local talent and fostering international collaborations. Mohammad al Kindi Kindi informed that the idea for the book took shape while he was preparing a lecture for a book festival in France in 2019. 'While researching for my speech, I uncovered fascinating stories of filmmakers across Oman. That's when I knew this had to become a book,' he said. Over the next five years, Kindi travelled across Oman, collecting stories and archives for the project. He plans to release a second volume covering the period starting from 2020. The book is currently available for purchase through Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and can also be accessed at the OFS library. Kindi recently showcased his book at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai, where he was invited as a guest by the Indian Embassy in Oman.
Muscat Daily
10-05-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Shinas Port's RO77mn development work set to begin by end of this year
Muscat – QS Maritime, the operator of Oman's Shinas Port, is set to commence development work at the port before the end of this year, with investments exceeding RO77mn. The project is expected to take between five and seven years to complete. In a statement to the Oman News Agency, Eng Abdul Baqi al Kindi, CEO of QS Maritime, said the contract would be awarded to a company specialising in port and marine development. The first phase will involve expanding the port's existing basin to the south, along with the construction of a new breakwater on the northern side. These developments aim to accommodate larger vessels and improve the port's operational efficiency. He added that the port's area has been expanded to approximately 1.8mn sqm, in preparation for promising projects, including the construction of fuel storage tanks, factories, and a range of warehouses targeting both re-export and the local market. Kindi revealed that the sea route between Shinas Port and Bandar Abbas Port in Iran will commence operations in the final quarter of this year. The company investing in the passenger service will operate two weekly trips using ferries with a capacity of 200 passengers and their vehicles. He confirmed that the passenger terminal at the port is ready, with security inspection preparations nearing completion. He noted that Shinas Port saw significant growth in commercial activity during the first quarter of 2025. The number of visiting ships rose to 306, compared to 119 in the same period of 2024. The volume of imported and exported livestock also increased, reaching 25,944, up from 9,057 in the first quarter of the previous year. He further explained that total cargo handled through the port exceeded 186,000 tonnes, surpassing the combined total for the previous two years. The goods included building materials such as cement and iron, foodstuffs, general cargo, as well as livestock and camels. Regarding transshipment operations, Kindi said 42 were carried out in the first quarter of this year, with a total volume exceeding 173,000 tonnes. These comprised 40 liquid cargo operations and two bunkering operations. This exceeds the total transshipment volume for 2024, reinforcing Shinas Port's role as a growing logistics hub along the Sea of Oman.
Muscat Daily
24-03-2025
- General
- Muscat Daily
MERA promotes religious tolerance at Ta'aruf Nizwa
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Nizwa – Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (MERA) organised the third edition of Ta'aruf Nizwa last weekend, reinforcing its commitment to promoting religious tolerance and coexistence. The event aimed to introduce non-Muslim residents to the values of Islam and Omani society's deep-rooted traditions of peace and mutual understanding. According to Saad bin Sulaiman al Kindi, Head of Department of Introduction to Islam and Cultural Exchange at MERA, Ta'aruf Nizwa reflects Islam's core principles of mercy and tolerance. 'Such events help build bridges between cultures and present Islam in a civilised and humane manner,' he said. Oman has long been a model of religious dialogue and peaceful coexistence, Kindi noted, citing the sultanate's historical role in spreading Islam and fostering interfaith understanding. The event featured an exhibition with three sections – one showcasing Omani identity and traditional attire, another dedicated to women, and a third offering multilingual publications about Islam. Attendees also viewed a visual presentation on the significance of the Quran and participated in cultural competitions introducing Omani customs and traditions.
