The Sultanate of Oman’s rich tapestry

As the Oman Observer celebrates its 46th Anniversary today, it is appropriate that I reflect too, upon my journalistic sojourn, to date, with this respected newspaper.

It’s been 14 years since I met Abdullah al Shueili, the newspaper’s editor, and agreed to offer an expatriate perspective of the Sultanate of Oman as a weekly column, seeing the opportunity to introduce to the Observer’s readers the myriad ways Omanis and expatriates bring a delightful diversity of cultures from every corner of the globe, contributing to a vibrant society I referred to as “Oman’s rich tapestry.”

I was also fortunate, with my talented wife Yelena’s photography, to bring Oman to life, unwrapping in vivid colour this beautiful ‘Jewel of the Arabian Gulf.’ From riding a ‘testy’ horse in the Suhar surf, to watching Royal Cavalry equestrians ‘strut their stuff at Barka, to fine dining in Al Mouj, sunbathing poolside at Sifah, netting sardines in Sur, visiting the Turtle Sanctuary at Ras Al Hadd, fishing from Al Ashkharah’s endless beaches, to the Khareef in Salalah, we have travelled and enjoyed kahwa and halwa with hundreds of Omanis, briefly sharing their lives, touched by so many.

We’ve appreciated the ‘wuthering heights’ of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, with its scenery, its magnificent hotels, its terraces, cliffs and roses, perfect for stargazing, being wowed by meteor showers, and even once, we chased a snowfall! We uncovered Bahla’s ‘magical’ Fort and pottery factory, Nizwa’s Fort and market, as busy as a thousand years ago, and a hidden jewellery workshop. And then there’s the Balcony Walk on Jabal Shams! From the tiny village of Al Khitaym, with perilous drops, narrow and uneven paths, and in a couple of places, nothing between you and the floor of the canyon, it's a scary ‘stroll,’ 8 km out to the ancient cave dwellings of As Sab, and back.

Then there are the deeply expatriate and international competitor-laden sporting events like the Al Mouj Marathon with Paula Radcliffe; Sail GP with Leigh McMillan; the UTMB ‘Beast’ of a Mountain race; the Cycle Tour of Oman won by Vincenzo Nibali, while the Omani Red Warriors took the Asian Cup of 2015, by 1-0 over Kuwait. However, for pure spectacle, the National Cup Royal Camel Racing at Al Bashayer is lively and exciting beyond compare.

Fourteen hundred weekly columns and features later, we mourned the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the epitome of a statesman, who initiated the most meaningful renaissance since the Magna Carta, and the inspirational Nadhira al Harthi, mountaineer extraordinaire, who, on the slopes of Nepal’s K2, perished, living her life. These two, particularly, will never be forgotten for their vision, determination, and passion. Oman is deeply fortunate to have enjoyed a seamless transition with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.

I must also praise the Oman Observer’s continued professionalism, its high standards of journalism, its diversity of international and Omani contributors from so many walks of life, demonstrating its openness to a broad spectrum of opinion and perspective, its willingness to discuss contentious issues, and within that freedom, to inform and educate an increasingly aware population.

“Keep your friends close...” goes the adage, and as the challenge for traditional media to remain relevant in the face of social media grows, Dan Rather reminds us: "Journalism is not precise. At best it’s a crude art with mistakes," so in the Oman Observer, nothing is published without proofing and editing, embracing the challenge by maintaining standards, dignity, respect, and purpose of faith... keeping social media “closer.”