Today, January 11, Oman marks two moments that speak quietly, yet firmly, about direction and continuity. It is the anniversary of the accession of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, may Allah preserve him, and it also marks five years since the establishment of Al Sumud Radio.
For me, this date carries both public meaning and personal weight.
Al Sumud Radio was born at a time when the region, and the world, was entering a period of deep uncertainty. Information was becoming louder, faster, and more fragmented. What stood out about Al Sumud from the beginning was that it chose a different rhythm. It did not try to compete for attention through volume or urgency. Instead, it focused on clarity, explanation and calm presence.
That choice was not accidental. The creative team of Al Sumud Radio operates as part of the Moral Guidance and Protocol Directorate at the Office of the Chief of Staff, Ministry of Defence. This institutional home matters. It explains why the station approaches communication not as performance, but as responsibility. The programmes reflect an understanding that words shape trust, identity, and collective confidence.
As a listener, I noticed how over the past five years, Al Sumud Radio has built an impressive record. It has hosted hundreds of guests from diverse and multidisciplinary backgrounds, from policymakers and academics to entrepreneurs, innovators, and practitioners. What makes these engagements meaningful is not the number of guests, but the way conversations are handled. Complex ideas are not simplified to the point of emptiness, nor are they wrapped in jargon. They are brought closer to people, without underestimating the listener’s intelligence.
I am proud to be part of Al Sumud Radio as a presenter of the Al Busalah (Compass) programme. The idea behind the programme is simple but demanding: to connect global disruptive innovation strategies with national and regional realities. That kind of conversation only works in an ecosystem that values depth over speed and reflection over reaction. Al Sumud has consistently provided that space.
One moment that stayed with me was when the Al Sumud team approached me to contribute and recommend startup founders for the ‘In the Spotlight’ programme. It was a small interaction, but it said a lot. It showed genuine interest in emerging voices, not as a trend, but as part of a belief that the future deserves to be heard early. This openness to new ideas and younger generations is one of the station’s quiet strengths.
Al Sumud’s presence across social media platforms further reflects this mindset. Its digital engagement is not about chasing algorithms or viral moments. It is about being accessible, responsive, and relevant to different generations of listeners, meeting people where they are, without losing its tone or purpose.
For me, Al Sumud Radio also carries a deeper personal connection. My late brother worked with Moral Guidance, of which the Al Sumud team is a part. Through his work and through who he was, he taught me lasting lessons about belonging, identity, and service. He believed that institutions matter when they help people feel anchored, when they remind individuals that they are part of something larger than themselves. When I see how Al Sumud Radio operates, I recognise that same spirit.
Five years on, Al Sumud Radio stands as an example of what resilient and responsible public communication can look like. It does not claim to have all the answers. It does something more important: It asks better questions, and it does so with respect for its audience and for the national context it serves.
As Al Sumud marks this anniversary, the achievement is not measured only in years or programmes, but in trust built over time. In a world that often rewards noise, Al Sumud has chosen steadiness. And that choice, quietly, has made all the difference.
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