Kholoud al Fazari
MUSCAT, MAY 25
The Ministry of Information (MoI), represented by the Sultanate of Oman Radio, continues making its presence felt through drama and is preparing to broadcast a radio drama series titled ‘Eid Gathering’ during the Eid Al Adha holidays. This social drama portrays Omani society, highlights its cohesion.
The events of Eid Gathering unfold within an Omani neighbourhood. The story begins a few days before the advent of Eid Al Adha, when a family moves from one governorate to another so that Hamoud can fulfil his job requirements. The family has to acclimatise to a new and different environment, especially as they have to spend the Eid holiday away from their relatives and the traditional atmosphere they cherished for many years.
The transformation reveals the nature of the Omani society and its strong bonds and social cohesion. Families find themselves surrounded by neighbours who willingly provide support and share the details of daily life and the preparations for Eid, all within a comedic social framework that reflects the spirit of cooperation peculiar to Omani society regardless of regional differences.
The drama presents a realistic portrayal of social life in Omani neighbourhoods by highlighting the human relationships between neighbours and the eagerness of residents to share each other’s lives. It emphasises the values of generosity, compassion, and solidarity, while also addressing educational values through the family’s role in instilling positive habits and behaviours in children. It teaches new generations the importance of respecting their neighbours, maintaining social ties and empathising with others.
The drama highlights several customs associated with Eid Al Adha in the Sultanate of Oman, showcasing the preparations for the holiday and the popular dishes served during this occasion, such as grilled meat, Harees (a type of porridge), Ursiya (a dish cooked with rice and meat), fried meat, among other traditional foods. It focuses on the concept of Al Lamma (social gathering) and its connotations of intimacy, love and community, whether within the family or at the neighbourhood and community level. The work reflects the warm social relationships that have always characterised Omani society, making holidays a space for strengthening social bonds between people.
Writer Abdullah al Ghafri explained that Eid Gathering aims to present a dramatic experience inspired by Omani reality. He noted that the play’s objective also seeks to promote community awareness and revive cultural and social heritage in a simple dramatic style. He noted that the script carries several educational and social messages directed to various society segments, especially young people, by highlighting the importance of adhering to authentic Omani values and strengthening the spirit of cooperation and solidarity among members of the community.
Al Ghafri said that the work highlights the image of the Omani people, known for their generosity, kindness with others whether relatives or strangers. He adds that the idea for the work stemmed from a simple human experience some families have when shifting from one place to another for work and the accompanying feelings of alienation or anxiety about the different social environment. However, the events gradually reveal the extent of the closeness and similarities among members of Omani society in different governorates, whether in customs or in the way they interact and show human compassion. This allows the family to discover that the spirit of love and care is present everywhere.
The play is written by Abdullah al Ghafri and directed by Hamad al Wardi. The cast comprises of Masoud al Jassasi, Saud al Shaithani, Khamis al Rawahi, Amina Abdulrasoul, Rasha al Balushi, Aisha al Balushi, Samira al Wahaibi, Asaad al Yaqoubi and Qusai al Masrouri, in addition to the writer Abdullah al Ghafri.
The play ‘Eid Gathering’ will be broadcast during the Eid Al Adha holidays. It carries social and humanitarian themes closely tied to Omani society, while also presenting a dramatic portrayal that evokes the details of traditional Eid celebrations and emphasises the importance of upholding the authentic values that Omani society has preserved across generations.
The drama aligns with the Sultanate of Oman Radio’s commitment to producing dramas that reflect Omani cultural and social heritage, highlighting the customs and traditions associated with Eid, a social occasion that embodies the values of unity, communication and kinship, as well as the joyous expressions of these traditions that represent Omani identity.
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