Animal welfare efforts in Oman have gained a new platform with the establishment of the Oman Animal Welfare Association (OAWA).
Leading the initiative alongside a team of volunteers is its chairperson, Sayyidah Salsabeel bint Badr al Busaidi, who says compassion has always been part of who she is.
“I have always felt deeply for the vulnerable, both people and animals, but I never imagined I would one day establish an animal welfare organisation“.
“My beloved dog was stolen and never found. It was heartbreaking, and the pain of not knowing what happened to him has never really left me“.
“Then came Jupiter, a stray Omani Mau cat I rescued. I often wondered, what if I hadn’t found him? Where would he be today? Hungry, injured, frightened, or perhaps lying dead somewhere, with nobody even knowing he had existed?“
“That thought stayed with me. Because for every Jupiter who is rescued, how many others are still out there, waiting for someone to notice them? Every living being deserves food, shelter, care and, above all, a little kindness”.
Her desire to care for animals became a determination to protect them when she heard about stray dogs being shot.
“Something inside me could no longer remain silent. One morning, I simply woke up and said, ‘I will save animals’. I had no idea how I would do it”.
She began by reaching out to animal welfare advocates, learning about their work and understanding the government approvals needed to establish an organisation.
“There were moments when the journey seemed endless; it took years. But I never gave up, because I believed in this cause with all my heart. I could not save the dog I lost, but perhaps I could help save the lives of others. And that became my purpose”.
Asked about the challenges she faces as a woman, she said she has never believed that challenges belong to women alone.
“Life challenges us all. The real question is, how much does something matter to you, and how far are you prepared to go for it?“
“For me, when I see a frightened stray dog, a helpless kitten or a feral donkey struggling to survive, I cannot simply turn away. Animals have feelings, needs and a voice. They speak through their eyes, their movements, their fear and their trust. Perhaps it is not that they cannot speak to us, but that we have yet to learn how to truly listen and understand their needs”.
There are difficult days, she acknowledged.
“Doors do not always open, and things rarely happen as quickly as we hope. But I remind myself why I began”.
For her, changing the fate of even one animal makes every obstacle worthwhile.
“I believe patience is a quiet kind of strength. And when something truly matters, you find a way, even when the road seems impossible”.
So what does women’s empowerment mean to her?
“To me, empowerment is having the courage to listen to that little voice inside you that says, ‘You can make a difference’, even when the world tells you otherwise”.
She said it is about believing in something so deeply that one is willing to begin without knowing exactly how the journey will unfold.
“I do not believe strength means never being afraid or never facing difficulties. Sometimes strength is simply waking up the next morning and trying again. And I have always believed that compassion and mercy are not weaknesses. They are among the greatest strengths we possess and, indeed, among the greatest attributes of the Almighty”, she explained.
For Sayyidah Salsabeel, a truly empowered woman is one who believes in herself, follows her heart and has the courage to turn that belief into something that brings positive change.
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