A young Omani poet’s journey following Farahidi’s footsteps
Renowned for his piety and frugality, and the complexity of his phonological analysis of classical Arabic poetry, Al Khalil Ibn Ahmad Al Farahidi was renowned and revered throughout the entire Asian...
An Omani athlete’s mission of taming the ‘Beast’
Oman’s own version of Indiana Jones, local adventure athlete Riyadh Al Hinai, is taking on a new challenge at the end of the month when ‘The Beast,’ the Omani version of Europe’s toughest...
A kid on a merry-go-round she can’t get off!
If I see that sixteen-year-old Scandinavian school-kid, Greta Thunberg, scowling at me from the pages of my morning newspapers again, whilst munching on my Cornflakes, I’m going to scream! Barely...
Birkat al Mouz beckons coffee lovers
Kawa Kava is a new name in the Omani hospitality sector, a modern coffee shop, visually appealing, styled in a contemporary manner, yet reflecting their cultural,traditional and architectural ties to...
Frankincense research in France beckons young Omani scientists
From its reverence during ancient times, to its emergence as an essential perfumery, to becoming a potentially life-saving element in modern organic medical science, the Boswellia sacra, or...
The Power of Positive Thinking: A light in the dark or an illusion?
The power of positive thinking is supposed to be a panacea, or remedy for all ills. Well, it’s true according to Norman Peale, who has become wealthy from the sales of his book on the topic, aptly...
Teaching young teachers a privilege and an experience
One of the great joys of my life, and my work, is to be able to pass on my knowledge of teaching and learning to education students at the University of Nizwa, and also in sharing good practice with...
Atana Stay: Creating decor and appeal linked to the authentic local environment
The Oman Tourism Development company, Omran, the executive arm of the Sultanate’s tourism development continues to drive innovation, and the national culture within its tourism operations. Sales...
Politics becomes less palatable? No. Disappointed? Yes!
Brexit with Boris Johnson, or Brexit without Boris Johnson, or no Brexit? It’s becoming seriously difficult to identify which has the best prospects, and for who, with all of the conflicting...
Share Your Life: It’s a life less ordinary than you think!
Growing up as a boy, and a young man, back in the 1950’s and 60’s never seemed like a privilege at the time, but it does now, and I have significant compassion for the youth of today, in what they...
A treasure of firearms that made history
The Dakhiliyah Governorate, already blessed with several culturally significant tourist attractions, now has a unique exhibition for visitors in the Bait ar Rudaydah Centre of Excellence for Historic...
Quotes Inspire: They are much more than a snapshot!
Mahatma Ghandi, the Indian peace activist, and political force for change made a lot of sense, but never more so than when he said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live...
We are unaware of how propitious are the circumstances!
Or to put it another way: We just don’t know how lucky we are! Like everyone, I dream of financial security, of not having to worry about paying for ‘things,’ and generally I see it as my own...
Oxford, Nizwa varsities conclude medical research exchange
Nizwa, Sept 22 - Oxford University and University of Nizwa (UoN) research student exchange, which has taken place during the last four weeks at the Natural and Medical Sciences Research Centre (NMSRC)...
Our hands are only the instruments of our will...
I met two Oxford University, United Kingdom based researchers, at the Natural Medical Sciences Research Centre of the University of Nizwa, this week, and was greatly impressed. Actually the Scientific...
Food (f)or thought: The musings of a committed vegetarian
Is what you think, more important than what you eat? My friend Gosia (Malgorzata) asked me recently, and honestly, I didn’t know how to answer straight off. I mean, what I think in fact dictates...
Rowas: Root of Oman’s character lies in Salut
Salut, Sept 17 - Participants attending the ICOMOS (International Council of Monuments and Archaeological Sites) workshop visited the Salut Castle Archaeological Park on Tuesday on gauge the...
Oman committed to protect heritage sites
Nizwa, Sept 16 - Abdulaziz bin Mohammed al Rowas, Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan for Cultural Affairs, and Chairman of the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), emphasised the...
Nizwa teacher’s song strikes chord with hundreds of young Omanis
Debut single Desire Burning by Tammy Eyole Monono draws a wider audience by the day A song, a tune, a musical offering with its genesis in Rustaq could be just the sound to put Oman on the global...
The new technologies: Are they just today’s Trojan Horse?
Have you ever felt helpless in the face of the new technologies, like I often do? Are you aghast at the significant intrusions into our personal lives that the new technologies allow, like I am? Or is...