Muttrah Souq is in the mood of celebration as the National Day nears and the weather has brought the tourists into town.
The cruise ships season has begun and there is an international flavour to the ancient Souq. There are newer shops too such as the one that specialises in spices and herbs that serves Omani coffee and indigo as well in addition to dry flowers.
Then there is this shop that draws everyone that has a collection of antiques, Omani Khanjars, jewellery, pearls, coral and semi precious stones. Ali Baba Gift Shop has been here for more than 140 years and it is the grandson who has been running the business now and he is Akhtar Rasool al Balushi who had begun to accompany his father to the shop when he was just seven year old back in 1981 — that is 11 years into Oman’s modern renaissance.
His grandfather specialised in selling guns, Omani Khanjars and everything that was traditional.
Everyday Akhtar arrives at the shop dressed in the complete traditional attire that is the Musar and Khanjar, which on its own has become a major attraction to tourists. Today there are many more grand pieces of antiquity from around the world in the shop compared to the days of his grandfather and father.
“Since the last seven years people have come and sell me the pieces from around the world so I don’t have to go anywhere,” said Akhtar while urging to look at the biggest piece of amber which holds a fossilised snake.
The unique Amber piece costs about RO 150,000, “But it is not for sale like Roman glass and other pieces in the showcase.”
Looking back at his journey Akhtar said, "I am happy even if I get one Rial, I am content to wear my Khanjar and maintain my nation’s traditions.”
One of the walls of the shop has photographs with royalty and celebrities from around the globe who have visited his shop from world leaders, business tycoons to Hollywood stars. The most special photograph is of his grandfather at the age of 103 actively participating in an event.
The beginning was not so smooth he recollected, ”When I started to work at the shop others joked and said, ‘Look at what he is selling’. And then I made my first sale to a French customer. He said to listen to them with one ear and take it out from the other. It gave me immense strength.”
Akhtar never looked back since then and today he deals with antiquities from around the world.
He would like to see more Omani tour guides and hope one day Muttrah Souq would have an underground water canal so that the rainwater from the mountains can go straight to the sea instead of rushing through the Souq and causing damage to the shops.
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