Y Magazine #576, July 11, 2019

Omani stamps

CHRONICLING A NATION ONE LETTER AT A TIME History’s canvas REVIVING THE ART OF ARAB CALLIGRAPHY

News: HEALTHY MEALS COMING TO 10 GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS

CATCH THE LATEST UPDATES ONLY ON WWW.Y-OMAN.COM

DESTINATION: Sur Lighthouse TASTE TEST: Bukhara

PLUS!

YOUR TOP GUIDE TO THE BEST OF OMAN, EVERY WEEK

YUMMY OMAN: 01 NOVEMBERLOOMI 24 / ISSUE 258 ZESTY LOCAL

44

FIRST DRIVE: THE STALWART 2019 TOYOTA COROLLA

34

JUL 11 - 17 2019 / ISSUE 576 • WEEKLY

POSTCARD: DOHA, QATAR

36

Join Tomorrow’s Leaders Apply Now– Scholarships Available

Unique Industry Placements. Top Quality Programmes.

General Foundation Programme International Foundation Programme

Masters Programmes (with Cranfield University)

Bachelors Programmes (with Aston University) * BSc (Hons) Accounting for Management * BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering * BSc (Hons) Logistics with Supply Chain Management

study@muscatuniversity.edu.om

* MSc Finance and Management * MSc Management and Entrepreneurship * MSc Energy Systems and Thermal Processes * MSc Process Systems Engineering * MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management * MSc Air Transport Management (Executive)

www.muscatuniversity.edu.om

+968 2464 5444

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Welcome to Y Magazine – your top guide to the best of Oman every week.

IN THIS ISSUE…

T

here’s nothing certain in life, except uncertainty. It’s an oxymoron that plays out its truth in countless scenarios, daily. If proof is needed, you can sometimes see it propped up on four wheels, dusty, and derelict in the arcsodium lights of your local shopping centre parking lot or left to slowly settle on flat tires under a tarpaulin that will never be lifted in an apartment block parking garage. These abandoned vehicles are just one sign of the uncertain times as more expats in Oman and elsewhere across the GCC face the sobering realities of redundancies amid an uncertain market.

And it’s not just vehicles that can’t be sold or paid off left deserted by those who are compelled to exit and exit quickly.

‘For Sale’ and ‘For Rent’ signs plastered on personal properties across Muscat are another barometer of financial distress in a nation that’s only slowly recovering from the oil slump of 2015. They say that times are ‘tough’, but for those expats who have suddenly found themselves unemployed and with bills to pay, there’s no other way out than to flee the country without incurring greater losses and potential jail time for defaulting on loan payments. In this week’s cover story, we delve deeper into an increasing trend that’s causing banks and other financial institutions to clamp down on potential flight risks, and how or if the tides will change anytime soon.

Also in this issue, we relive the history of our nation through the most unlikely of mediums – its humble stamp; hit the road to visit the beacon of the coastal city of Sur – its iconic lighthouse over in Destination, and show you how to add a zing of zest to your next meal with an infusion of the Sultanate’s beloved kitchen essential – ‘loomi’ – in Yummy Oman!

Until next week, happy reading!

Team Y EDITOR IN CHIEF Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi ADMIN MANAGER Yousef al Harrassi REPORTER Hassan al Lawati

FOLLOW US ON:

@ytabloid /ytabloid

PHOTOGRAPHER Ismail Al Farsi DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Feroz Khan MANAGER – DIGITAL MEDIA SALES Umair Mehmood

/ytabloid ymagazine

www.y-oman.com /ymagazine

Y Magazine is published by SABCO Press, Publishing & Advertising LLC / Y is a SABCO Media product.

Acting General Manager Salim al Amri We’d love to hear your news and views. For editorial enquiries, please info@y-oman.com email Want to read Y on the go?

Scan our digital issue here: Download any QR reader from iTunes or Google Play to read Y on the go

Write to us at Y Magazine, SABCO Media, PO Box 3779, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman.

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

03

contents JUL

Your Oman 08 Voice Of Oman

Abdul Qader Al Bulushi 10 News

Healthy meals coming to government schools 12 News

Tourism awareness

campaign starts in Dhofar

10

11

-

17

This Week 16 Bangkok by Night Head to the Kempinski Hotel Muscat’s Soi Soi restaurant this weekend for a taste of Thai street food 17 Movies Love’s obstacles aren’t enough to hold back Mumbai misfit Shiva, and the girl of his dreams in the Hindi drama ‘Malaal’.

17

Cars and Adventures 32 Destination

Sur Lighthouse

2019

Health and Beauty

34 First Drive

Toyota Corolla

40 Fashion

Tropic summer

38 Y-Fi

Smart storage solutions

Features 18 Cashing out As the Sultanate’s foreign workforce continues to be scaled back, many expats are being left with little choice but to abandon their assets if they cannot pay back their loans, rather than face jail time. Y investigates what happens to what gets left behind.

24 Seal of time Chronicling the history of the nation through its stamps.

26 Fight club Coffee with Y steps into the ring with UFC coach and fighter Risto Dimitrov as he aims to put Oman on the MMA map.

Food and Drink 44 Yummy Oman

The zesty zing of

Omani loomi 46 Taste Test Bukhara

42 Beauty

Super summer

foundations

38

40

46 NEXT ISSUE...

FEATURES / COFFEE WITH Y / NEWS / MOVIES / EVENTS / BEAUTY / DESTINATION / TRAVEL / FASHION / FIRST DRIVE

brity ch and the latest celeve got at w to ts tis ar e th we’ From ate hits of the week, gossip, to your ultim from the pulse of the music your superstar dose Radio Oman 100.9 FM world, with Virgin

Fueling the Fyre In 2017, the Fyre Festival captured the attention of the world. Set on a Caribbean island and billed as the most exclusive music festival on the planet, tents were being rented for literally hundreds of thousands of dollars for a chance to rub shoulders with the biggest influencers and coolest rich kids. That is, until people arrived and realized the whole thing was actually an alleged scam, where nothing that was advertised was delivered – leaving attendees stranded with no running water or toilets. Since then, multiple lawsuits and charges have been filed against the organizers of the festival – namely rapper Ja Rule. Well it seems he hasn’t learned his lesson. Ja-Rule, Jason Derulo, and even Cardi B, were among the organizers of the recent VestiVille music festival in Belgium which has now been cancelled, and the venue stormed by police! Organizers are being questioned regarding allegations of fraud and money laundering, with people now to referring to it as Fyre 2.0!

Party on, Saudi-style Niki Minaj is set to headline Saudi Arabia’s first music festival the ‘Jeddah World Fest’.

This will be her first concert in the Gulf, and a first for Saudi Arabia as well. After recently investing a generous amount of resources into new entertainment ventures for the country, the Kingdom has announced that 2019 will be known as “the year of entertainment”. Also revealed were imminent performances by Jay-Z and DJ Khaled, and stand-up performances

by Trevor Noah, Seth Rogan, and the one-and-only Dave Chappelle. If the Kingdom carries on like this, it won’t have any trouble fulfilling its recently announced aim of becoming one of the top ten entertainment destinations in the world!

Sparks over ‘Señorita’?

When two young, single celebrities collaborate on a song, or a film, fans often 06

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

begin to speculate about the potential of a relationship between the two. So, it wasn’t a huge surprise to Shawn Mendes when, during a Q&A, a young fan recently asked him if he and his ‘Señorita’ collaborator Camilla Cabello were dating. But what she asked him next might have been a bit unexpected. After he made clear that he and Cabello were just friends, the fan then asked him if he would date her! Unfortunately for her, Mendes said “No”. But he made it clear that it was only because he didn’t know her, and that he wouldn’t date someone he didn’t know personally.

Fair enough.

Disney for decades?

After the success of their live-action remakes of ‘The Jungle Book’, ‘Cinderella’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘Dumbo’ ‘Aladdin’, and the upcoming ‘Lion King’ and ‘Little Mermaid’ films, it seems Disney has decided to remake their entire movie catalog! The first trailer for ‘Mulan’ has just been released and, to Disney’s credit, as remakes go the story of Mulan, replete with large epic battle scenes of Kung-Fu, archery, and swordfighting, lends itself quite well to the world of live-action (well, CGI) bigscreen fun. ‘Mulan’ is due out in March of 2020.

Dua’s a duo There’s a new couple on the block! Though rumours haven’t been officially addressed, Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid (brother of Gigi and Bella Hadid) have been spotted cozying up together at the British Summer Time Hyde Park Music Festival in London.

This, just one month after Lipa broke things off with longtime boyfriend Isaac Carew...kind of makes us wonder if Hadid was the reason for the split!

Post Malone’s back!

You’d be forgiven for thinking Post Malone has already dropped new music this year. ‘Wow’ and ‘Sunflower’, both released in 2018, have enjoyed tremendous staying power on the charts, and are never far out of earshot. But truth be told, Malone hasn’t done much in 2019 besides a quick feature on DJ Khaled’s ‘Father of Asahd’ - that is, until now. Teaming up with Young Thug, Post Malone has just said ‘hello’ to the new year, by releasing his latest track ‘Goodbyes’. The 50’s-themed music video features American actress Kathryn Newton, and the singer himself – albeit in full zombie makeup!

Foo’s next?

Legendary rock band The Foo Fighters, are out with a real treat for fans.

Their new EP entitled ‘00950025’ is a collection of live recordings from as far back as their first tour in 1995, shortly after the death of Nirvana front-man Kurt Cobain. For fans of the band, it’s a unique insight into the emotions and energies that define their live sets,and offers some rare songs. What’s more is that fans are being asked to submit stories, photos, and messages of their relationship to the band, via their website. What will that be used for? Some sort of amazing interactive collage? According to the bands Twitter, “...you never know what we’ve got up our sleeves…”.

Ed the rocker?

Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Chris Stapleton. These are names you might associate with sweet, sugary even, pop/R&B/country songs about love. What you might have a harder time wrapping your head around, is that this unlikely trio have teamed up on Sheeran’s forthcoming ‘No.6 Collaborations Project’ to make, wait for it – a hard-hitting rock song – with heavy 70’s style riffs and snarled vocals featuring words about a very different kind of love! Ed Sheeran’s ‘No.6 Collaborations Project’ seems to be full of surprises, and this may be the biggest!

Be sure to keep it locked to Virgin Radio Oman 100.9 FM, and don’t miss your Tea Time with Maya Noise, daily on Virgin Radio in the Morning.

THE VOICE OF OMAN ABDUL QADER AL BULUSHI, THE FORMER GENERAL MANAGER OF AL YUSR ISLAMIC BANKING IN OMAN ARAB BANK (OAB) TALKS ABOUT THE NEED FOR GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO TACKLE THE ECONOMIC TURMOIL

correspondence DEBATE OF THE WEEK WE ASKED: As abandoned vehicles are left to rust in parking lots or by the roadside in Oman, they become a municipal problem.

What is leading people to abandon their assets and run -- and who should take responsibility?

MURAD ALLANA

O

man is currently at the cusp of an economic recession turning into a depression and it’s the people of the country – both Omanis and expats – that are taking a hit.

And when you hear stories of people abandoning their cars, businesses, and even not honouring their rental agreements, I feel very upset by this turn of events.

During these times, I would like to advise everyone to hold onto their money. It’s not the time to take loans or invest in new automobiles or real estate.

To overcome this situation, while advisable, it’s still not enough to only ask people to hold on to their money.

All this unspent money will hurt Oman in the end.

The government must see this and come up with a wise strategy. It’s perhaps time to open the market to foreign companies and relax the visa rules. Also, they must provide incentives to companies so that they see a benefit in keeping their money in Omani banks.

Simply relying on the public to spend and cycle money isn’t going to help us in any way. Businesses are closing by the day and those who were making several thousands of Riyals are now making less than 80 per cent of what they did.

If this continues, we will find ourselves penniless. It’s time for a big step – and we need to see it soon.

08

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

In my opinion there are multiple reasons why people would intentionally or unintentionally leave their cars to rust in parking slots or in unidentified areas.

These acts are a burden for the municipality. I believe there are a few serious reasons why people are forced to abandon their automobile (an important asset) and disappear” People purchase their cars on lease via monthly bank loans, then are unable to pay the dues. In a crisis situation, individuals my find leaving their cars unattended in a remote area is their best or only option.These days the costs of repair and maintenance of vehicles can be more than their current value. So, people prefer to buy new assets rather than spending on maintenance.

Due to the Middle East’s oil recession, the economic and financial conditions of many companies and industries are unstable. This results in loss of jobs for many individuals. Expats are forced to leave the country on short notice – so abandoning their assets is the only option left.

I believe that total-loss accident vehicles are most commonly abandoned to avoid the cost of towing and other operational costs.

I believe it’s the owner who is solely responsible for an abandoned car. However, the municipality can overcome this issue by applying fines, and final clearances should not be done at the airport or other check-points of exit. Moreover, these cars can also be recycled, if anyone doesn’t claim them within the specific time period.

WRITE TO US AND YOU COULD WIN

MUTHUMARI PANDIAN

Oman is one of the best countries in the Middle East for independent driving. The roads are clean, clear, and especially well-maintained. But abandoned vehicles spoil the aesthetic condition of the road.

Unused and damaged cars or trucks which are illegally dumped are considered as abandoned vehicles. These use up space in the environment and, just like other waste, pose considerable risk to public health.

The Municipal Council is working with Muscat Municipality and the Royal Oman Police to sort out this problem. As per the law, the owner has to pay RO50 to get back the vehicle once it’s seized by the municipality.

Apart from road maintenance, these vehicles are a threat to the environment; as their components deteriorate, they can leak oil and battery acid, and if they’re exposed to the sun for prolonged periods, they can also cause fires. They become makeshift shelters for stray animals and potential breeding grounds for rodents. Some of the vehicles carry names and slogans written in the dust on their bodies. Abandoned vehicles in residential areas are more risky than public places, because children may play near them. So, it’s too risky for health and safety of people.

While most of the vehicles are abandoned without number plates, authorities can easily find the owner by the engine number.

The main reasons for abandoning vehicles are that the owners couldn’t bear the cost of the repair; the

Win a Thai set dinner for two at Tiptara Restaurant

/CentaraMuscat @CentaraH oman @Centara_muscat_hotel

SEND US YOUR letters, photos, news and views to info@y-oman.com / /ytabloid. The winning correspondent will receive a voucher for a Thai set dinner at Tiptara Restaurant,

Centara Muscat Hotel. Vouchers must be collected from Y’s Seeb office in person. Only one winner per week; editor’s decision is final. For other terms and conditions, see the Centara Muscat Hotel voucher.

SCAN THESE QR CODES &

FOLLOW US

vehicle is in bad condition; the vehicle is registered with the ROP’s complaint system for violations; the vehicle owners have skipped town; when the loan value exceeds the price of the car; lack of a place to park an old vehicle inside a residential premises after buying a new one; the vehicle has been involved in an accident and the owners have a problem claiming insurance; the owners may leave their vehicle at a workshop when spare parts are unavailable.

Abandoned vehicles are not only an eyesore but also cause much inconvenience to the public.

WWW.Y-OMAN.COM

clearing the streets. Since the municipality are more closely associated with the up-keep of the streets they would be able to identify cars that have occupied spaces for long and are attracting dirt.

They can coordinate with the ROP to identify the whereabouts of the car owner and, finally, impound the vehicle if it falls under the classification of being abandoned. If the vehicle owner comes about to claim the vehicle, they should be levied a fine for its maintenance. Serious action is warranted to tackle the problem of abandoned vehicles.

/YTABLOID

@YTABLOID

/YMAGAZINE

New Debate: As Oman prepares to mark it’s 49th Renaissance Day, we’re asking our readers what do you think has been the most significant growth or advancement the country has witnessed to date?

Share your view with us and you could be in with a chance of winning dinner for two.

MOHAMMAD OSAMA RAWAT

In my humble opinion, it’s mainly the financial crisis due to non-payment of salaries or continued losses in the business that’s forcing individuals to DR. TAMANNA DALWAI flee the country and abandon their vehicles in Abandoned vehicles are a common sight parking lots. Usually the abandoned cars in the across Oman and I am one of those that parking lot are those vehicles which are either nonis also affected by them. There are two saleable or bought on equated monthly installment abandoned vehicles that are blocking (EMI) and the owner isn’t able to pay the parking spaces which are limited in the remaining EMI at the time of fleeing the country area I reside in. Individuals can abandon for the above cited reasons. If the individual who vehicles for many different reasons. For abandoned their vehicle and left the country was example, they may go absconding from an employee, then by all means the employer the country or were unable come back should be held responsible. However, in the case of to Oman. They were not able to get a business owners fleeing the country, it’s not possible good deal on the car sale and found its to hold anyone else associated costs higher. The car might responsible except the also have been abandoned as it was person themselves. The involved in a crime. Whatever the reason, municipal authorities abandoned vehicles pose a great threat must fix a time – which to the environment. They can attract shouldn’t be longer than vandalism and dirt, be used for a crime, two months, and remove or also lead to an explosion. such cars from parking Therefore, it’s imperative for authorities lots and auction rather to take concrete action on the same. towing them and keep The municipality and the Royal Oman them in their parking Police (ROP) need to jointly work in yards.

SHARE YOUR PHOTO WITH Y TO BE FEATURED IN OUR NEW READER SECTION

Y reader SRI PRIYA spotted her son with his favourite Y Magazine in Muscat.

THIS IS YOUR SPOT! Just send us your picture with Y Magazine or pose with our photographer and we will publish it on this page

Send it to: info@y-oman.com

Y reader Saviour Peter captures the watery blue horizon at Bandar Al Khiran with his Canon 1200D.

Send your photo to editor@y-oman.com to be featured in our new section, Through Your Eyes. Include where it was taken, your name and a few details about your photograph, such as the camera used.

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

09

OMAN GETS $19.6B FDI IN 2018

T

he Sultanate received $19.6b as foreign direct investment (FDI), the maximum in the Arab world during 2018, a new report by the Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (AIECGC) has revealed, reports Muscat Daily.

The ‘Investment Climate Report 2019’ published by AIECGC stated that the Arab nations got $83.45b in 2018, while the GCC countries attracted a total of $51.6b as FDI. Among the Arab countries, Oman got the maximum at $19.635b, providing 10,897 new jobs, with fifty-seven projects executed by 44 companies receiving FDI funds.

After Oman, Saudi Arabia received $15.5b, followed by the UAE at $14.1b.

Of the total investments in the Arab world, Oman’s share was highest at 23.5 per cent, followed by Saudi Arabia at 18.6 per cent and the UAE at 16.9 per cent.

In the GCC, investments were made across 635 new projects, led by 528 companies, providing 60,000 new jobs. While for whole of the Arab world, FDI went into 876 projects, led by 701 companies and employing 134,211 people.

HEALTHY MEALS COMING TO GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS with the Directorate General of Health Affairs in Muscat Municipality, aims at offering healthy and nutritious meals in cafeterias. It will also improve the mechanism of inspection of food offered in schools.

As part of a pilot project, a school will be selected to establish the main kitchen which will be in the vicinity of other schools, meeting the health standards approved by the Directorate General of Health Affairs in Muscat Municipality.

According to an MMC official, the uscat Municipal Council (MMC) is kitchen will prepare meals and then distribute considering a proposal to establish central them to schools in the vicinity to be sold at a price kitchens that will provide healthy meals affordable to students. at affordable rates to students in government Members of the committee welcomed the schools. This was discussed by the Health, Social proposal because of its positive impact at many and Environmental Affairs Committee of the levels – the most important of which is related to Municipal Council of Muscat Governorate under the health of students. its Chairperson Dr. Fatima bint Mohammed al “This will entail the possibility of entrusting the Ajamiya, reports Muscat Daily. private sector with the responsibility of establishing The proposal, established by the Ministry of these kitchens as per approved health standards,” Education and Ministry of Health in collaboration the official said.

M

HEALTH ENDOWMENT FUND ON HORIZON

A

first-of-its-kind health endowment fund, in cooperation with the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, is being established in the Sultanate, reports Oman Observer.

“Details of the project have already been prepared and necessary approvals are being sought from the authorities involved,” said Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saeedi, Minister of Health. Waqf Health Fund is one of the many projects that the ministry is working on, he said.

According to the minister, work on the new Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah, the Suwaiq Hospital, and the Khasab Hospital have already been initiated.

This is in addition to the expansion work on three other major hospitals including the Royal Hospital.

Being built on a total area of 200,000 sqm, the main building of the hospital in Salalah consists of six floors with approximately 700 beds, spread

010

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

over departments such as a burn unit, paediatrics, adult ICUs, as well as 25 maternity rooms.

In addition to two operating rooms, there will also be an integrated unit for accidents and emergencies, and an isolation ward.

The hospital will have a radiology department, department of diagnostic radiology in various disciplines, a central laboratory, central pharmacy, suite operating rooms and accessories, a recreation area for visitors, and a hall for seminars and conferences. At the same time, the main building of the Suwaiq Referral Hospital consists of three floors with a capacity of 250 beds.

TOP TECH

GALLERY

THE HUAWEI TEAM CELEBRATED THE GRAND OPENING OF ITS NEW EXPERIENCE STORE IN CITY CENTRE MUSCAT

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

011

YOUR

OMAN

T

he Ministry of Education has signed two cooperation agreements with Oman Oil, Orpic Group, and Jusoor Foundation for financing the establishment of two scientific innovation centres in the Governorates of Al Dhahirah and Al Buraimi at a cost of RO 1 million, reports Oman Observer.

The agreements were signed by Dr. Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education; Shaikh Ali bin Ahmed al Shamsi, Wali of Suhar, Acting Governor of North Al Batinah Governorate, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jusoor Foundation; and Dr. Hilal bin Abdullah al Hinai, General Manager Corporate Support Services, Orpic.

Dr. Fathia bint Khalfan al Sadiyah, Director-General of Education in Al Buraimi, said the signing of the agreements comes within the context of the effective social partnership among the Ministry of Education,

EDUCATION MINISTRY INKS DEAL FOR INNOVATION CENTRES

Oman Oil, Orpic Group, and Jusoor Foundation in a number of educational projects. The establishment of a scientific innovation centre in Al Buraimi Governorate is in line with the ministry’s objectives to instill a culture of scientific innovation among students,

as well as furnishing them with computer skills that will prepare them to cope with developments in the field of technology. The Directorate-General of Education in Al Buraimi will prepare a plan for operating the centre to serve as a social communication platform.

TOURISM AWARENESS $2BN MINA AL SULTAN CAMPAIGN STARTS IN DHOFAR QABOOS PROJECT TO

T

he Directorate General of Tourism in the Governorate of Dhofar is partnering with Oman LNG to carry out a 30-day awareness campaign starting July 11. It will coincide with the Salalah Tourism Festival, reports Muscat Daily.

The campaign is a part of a strategy that’s being implemented for the past couple of seasons with Oman LNG on tourism awareness.

In addition, the campaign aims to create environmental awareness among visitors and local residents.

Moreover, it warns visitors about the dangers of swimming in the sea and in wadis during the khareef season.

The efforts to create awareness are implemented through advertisements on billboards set up on roads, as well as posting information on social networking sites.

BEGIN IN NOVEMBER

C

onstruction work on the US $2bn integrated tourist port and lifestyle destination Mina al Sultan Qaboos Waterfront (MaSQ) project will begin in November.

It will consist of hotels and residences, as well as dining, retail, and leisure offerings. The first package is being tendered this month and construction activities will commence as per the plan,

012

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

reports Muscat Daily.

The project has completed several preparatory activities in accordance with the masterplan approved by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Housing. The memorandum of understanding and the shareholders’ agreement for the project have been signed.

Final discussions with concerned ministries regarding the project development agreement are currently underway.

FAMILY FUN

GALLERY

OMAN ARAB BANK HOSTED AN EVENING OF FUN AND GAMES AT ITS HAYYAKUM EVENT HELD AT NIZWA GRAND MALL

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

013

YOUR

OUTDOORSY OMAN

OMAN

SHAQUEL AL BALUSHI CAPTURES SUMMER THRILLSEEKERS AT AL SAWADI BEACH

014

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

GALLERY

GALLERY

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

015

BANGKOK BY NIGHT

THE WHAT’S ON GUIDE Fans of Thai street food can take their appetites over to the Kempinski Hotel Muscat’s Soi Soi restaurant this Saturday, July 13 to indulge in their latest tasty offering – Bangkok by Night! Thai food is renowned for its rich depth of flavour along with its health benefits, and the team at Kempinski is inviting Muscat foodies to discover Thailand’s diverse street food every Saturday in a vibrant culinary experience that is sure to transport your tastebuds to the streets of Bangkok! Enjoy their all-you-can-eat signature delicacies from 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. for RO12 per person. To reserve your table call (+968) 2498-5000 or email dining.muscat@kempinski.com.

JULY 13

MINDFUL MEDITATION Want to be fit and healthy without spending months on fitness or diet regimes? Stop sweating and join the ladies-only Foundation Yoga Course held every Saturday in July at Yoga Shaala in Al Assalah Towers, Al Ghubrah. Each three-hour session is designed to introduce you to useful yoga postures and breathing techniques and starts at 10:00 a.m. sharp! They’ve also got a promotion on to receive eight group class passes free which can be used within a valid one-month time period. To register online visit www.yogashaala.net/fyc.php.

JULY 13

ECO-ART THIS

WHAT TO DO.

WEEK J

U

WHAT TO SEE. WHAT TO HEAR.

L

Y

Children across Muscat can pick up their brushes and hold sway over their imaginations in a very special art event being hosted from July 14-17 at the Bait Al Baranda Museum. Children will have the opportunity to unleash their creative expression and give life to their experiences in connection to the environment by painting their own interpretation of Oman’s coastlines and underwater landscapes.

Imagination is all you need! The event is reserved for children ages 10 to 16, daily from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon. To register and take part call (+968) 2471-4262.

016

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

JULY 14 - 17

MOVIES MOVIES but Peter has other ideas. He just wants to be on vacation and tell MJ (Zendaya) how he feels about her! With no more Iron Man, Peter has huge shoes to fill; the world and Marvel need someone to lead the Avengers and the MCU into Phase 4. Thus, we see Peter teaming up with Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal), who is supposedly from another Earth, to take down The Elementals. Most hardcore comic book fans will know that Mysterio is a master at the art of deception and no one knows what he’s really up to.

The movie is extremely entertaining and the story and visual effects equally appealing.

Even the mid-credits scene had a very audible gasp from the crowd in the theatre. This has to be one of the better solo marvel movies of the MCU and is certainly head and shoulders above ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’.

One Day: Justice Delivered

Malaal

Cast: Anupam Kher, Kumud Mishra, Esha Gupta

Cast: Meezaan Jafri, Sharmin Segal, Badri Chavan Set in the Mumbai of the late 1990s, ‘Malaal’ is a love story of two people who are polar opposites. Shiva, a young Mumbai hooligan who spends most of his time fighting and indulging his vices meets Aastha Tripathi, whose family has already written Shiva off for her – but later she finds herself falling for

I’ll Take Your Dead Cast: Aidan Devine, Ava Preston, Jess Salgueiro

him. The Tripathis have just moved into a modest living space after facing financial problems, and that’s where they meet the local rowdy Shiva. ‘Malaal’ may not be a blockbuster but it’s a movie that keeps you entertained, with a pinch of nostalgia to add flavour that a lot of Indian films don’t have these days.

This horror-thriller tells the story of a single father, William, who lives with his daughter Gloria and makes his money by disposing of dead bodies for gangs in the nearby cities.

Though young Gloria has become desensitized to the corpses that appear on their property, she begins to believe that some of them are haunting

their house. Unfortunately for them, one of the recent dead bodies they receive isn’t really dead – threatening to put Gloria and her widowed father in danger. Even though the movie has a very interesting concept and starts off great, it does become a little cliché and uninteresting later on. Even Gloria becomes a rather one-dimensional character after she loses her morbid nature. The film also treads towards the predictable as it nears its climax. It’s not that it’s a bad film, it’s just not that good either.

‘One Day’ is about a retired judge Tyagi (Anupam Kher) who decides to right all his wrongs during his time on the bench, bound by the book of law, by becoming a vigilante. Tyagi kidnaps, tortures, and even kills those crooks who escaped justice in his court of law. Opposite him is a determined police office Laxmi Rathi (Esha Gupta) who is assigned to solve the mystery of an increasing number of missing persons and bring the kidnapper to justice. A movie that has a very serious element to it should never have the misplaced songs that this movie did.

But apart from that and a few very obvious plot-holes, this was an overall entertaining film with Anupam Kher doing what he does best – though at times it felt like he was the only cast member putting in the effort.

Spider-Man: Far From Home Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal

Because it’s receiving massive attention from Muscat’s movie crowd, this week we’re reviewing July’s biggest Marvel blockbuster in a little more detail this week.

The 23rd film of the gigantic Marvel Cinematic Universe takes place after the events of ‘Avengers: Endgame’. Peter Parker (Tom Holland) and his friends are on a school trip to Europe where he unwillingly meets Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) who wants Parker to step up to new challenges and continue on the path that Tony Stark had envisioned for him –

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TIMES, GO TO: City Cinema: citycinemaoman.net Al Bahja Cinema: albahjacinema.net VOX Cinemas: oman.voxcinemas.com Star Cinema: Tel +968 2479-1641

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

017

OMAN HASN’T BEEN IMMUNE TO THE TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECTS OF UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC TIMES ACROSS THE GCC, WITH A SCALED-BACK EXPAT WORKFORCE LEADING TO SUDDEN DEPARTURES AND ABANDONED ASSETS AS THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN MADE REDUNDANT STRUGGLE TO FIND A WAY TO PAY OFF THEIR LOANS. Y INVESTIGATES THE TRUE COST OF SKIPPING OUT

* All images for illustrative purposes only. Photo credits: Shutterstock

018

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

I

n its prime, the low-slung, blue-coloured Chevrolet Corvette would have torn past traffic with a muscle-car roar that could turn heads from several kilometres away. Still striking to look at, today, it lies parked up and covered in layers of dust under the hot sun in the outdoor parking lots of one of Muscat’s leading malls.

Now, its blue is fading fast and its engine will soon settle into a muck of unused oil and the tires will go flat – rendering the vehicle unusable and, in a few months, inoperable.

“I’d like a good explanation for this from the owner of the car,” says Ali al Hinai, the retail manager of the shopping mall where the car has been left, abandoned. His voice is firm and assertive, but he knows full well that neither will the owner of the car show up to the mall again, nor will the vehicle be removed.

In fact, the blue Chevy isn’t the only car that’s left deserted in the parking lot. Warning stickers from mall management placed on the windows of at least 20 other cars suggest that this is a widespread phenomenon – and that there’s an underlying reason.

It isn’t hard to dig up either. “Absconders and loan defaulters are the two main factors that lead to car abandonment,” adds Ali, who has been accustomed to such practices for nearly a decade now.

“When people can’t pay their loans on time, it leads to them either being arrested by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) or, to avoid

I PRAYED THAT THEY WOULDN’T CATCH ME AT THE AIRPORT. ALL I HAD TO PAY OFF WAS RO4,800 AND I JUST NEEDED TO GET PAST SECURITY AT THE MUSCAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

019

such a situation, they skip town to their home country.”

His mall isn’t the only one affected either. A walk across any major retail shopping centre, the parking lot at the Muscat International Airport, or even the Seeb ROP station will reveal to you the extent of this trend.

There’s no discrimination of brands either – from cars that’ll set you back RO4,000 to ones that can cost as much as RO70,000 – they’re all there; parked up without any shelter and exposed to the elements until the authorities finally take the stand to pick the car up.

One source at the Muscat International Airport reveals to us that nearly 75 cars were removed only last month (June) by the Muscat Municipality from the short-term parking lot after their owners parked their cars and left town for months on end.

In an interview with Jason Kothaneth, a consumer loan officer with a leading private bank in the country, we learn that there’s more to this than what meets the eye. He says: “It’s very easy to spot a car that’s been abandoned in the parking lot of a mall or in the short-term parking of the airport. It’ll have a ‘No Parking’ sticker from the local authorities first before the Muscat Municipality issues another notice asking the user to remove the car.

“That’s all facts. What lies beneath that is what counts. For instance, loan defaulters are one of the main reasons this happens alongside other factors of much lesser extent such as deaths, imprisonment, and so on.

“But, if you were to concentrate on the former, you’ll realise that much of this is done by expats who once came to Oman with high-flying careers and to start a new life. GCC money is good – everyone knows that.

“Things only go out of hand when these people came intertwined with Oman’s bad times. Some people started having delays in their salaries while others lost their jobs in a day’s notice or didn’t receive a new visa from their employer.

“It’s unfair – I know,” he tells us. The pity in his tone is evident.

He’s right, too. As per the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), expat numbers in Oman have fallen from 2,054,811 in July 2017 to 1,961,614 in July 2019 – effectively dropping by over 93,000.

Currently, the Omani-to-expat ratio stands at 57.5 per cent to 42.5 per cent, and it’s had its repercussions on the country’s financial sector As Jason tells, “This has led to fewer expats taking loans and opting to buy new cars. And those that can, still hold on to their money. This is breaking the financial cycle, which begins with taking loans and completing a transaction.

“Therefore, several players in the market are struggling,” he adds, before revealing how his loan targets have fallen substantially since 2016.

“Having said that, those that do, know that they’re taking a huge gamble by taking out huge loans. And when they do eventually lose their income source, they try to either sell the car off, or in some cases, wait for months and default the loan until they can secure another job and repay the debts.

“It’s a very tough time for expats in Oman.

Hiring has been frozen by several companies in the country and many have also stopped paying their employees for months. I’ve heard of some very reputed companies withholding money for up to seven and eight months.

“This is why the people who now find themselves unemployed or cashless must leave their car behind and leave the country.

“Sadly, that’s the last thing on their mind but what else can they do?”, he asks.

Y’s research into the matter shows us that in 020

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

2017 – in the peak of the financial crisis in Oman – some 2,622 expats failed to repay their loans.

The loan value from the fiscal period 2015 to 2017 amounted to RO21mn; and each expat, on average, had taken RO4,515 as consumer loans from the bank.

A consumer loan corresponds to a car, housing, holiday, or any personal loan that’s offered to a customer by a bank. Loans in Oman, unlike in several other Asian countries, are held against one’s job and salary as opposed to a physical asset; meaning, the loan can only be cleared by paying off the debt.

But, Omanis have raked up their fair share of

debts too. While stats aren’t easily available, we learn from Jason that several skip town to countries such as Egypt to avoid arrest after defaulting on loan payments.

Some Omanis have been known to be defaulting their loans for over two years.

“Banks in Oman are quite lenient when compared with those in most Asian countries.

But yes, defaulting on payments will lead to arrest as repayments to the lenders (banks and other financial institutions) are issued back as cheques and bounced cheques can lead to a criminal case,” Jason clarifies.

“An arrest won’t be made immediately but it’s

likely to happen when you travel or cancel your visa and plan on leaving the country,” he adds.

And even though Jason’s words align with the Central Bank and the Oman law, we get in touch with Inderdeep (name changed to protect identity) who had defaulted eight payments on his SUV. In an interview with Y, he tells us: “I bought my car back in 2015 and my loan was valid until 2020. The loan value was upwards of RO12,000 and I was paying nearly RO220 per month.

But, things took a turn when the businessman lost contracts with several clients.

“I defaulted eight payments and had no money

to pay the bank. My intention was never to do that, but a time came when I was forced to leave the country or face an inevitable arrest someday.

“I couldn’t even eat or drink. I was scared that a ring on the bell would be of the ROP waiting to identify and take me to jail. I was physically prepared but mentally scarred.

Eventually, in February of 2019, he left Oman for his home back in India, leaving behind his wife who is working in Muscat. The authorities, startlingly, didn’t stop Inderdeep prior to his travel.

“I created a life in Oman, but it was all falling into pieces. I couldn’t deal with that. So, I

borrowed every penny I could from my friends and family, and even some clients who were on cordial terms with me, and I made my way back to Oman.

“I prayed that they wouldn’t catch me at the airport. All I had to pay off was RO4,800 and I just needed to get past security at the Muscat International Airport.”

He could do that in May of this year, and he has since cleared off his loan with the bank While car loans are on one side of the spectrum, house rents make up the other side – this has now led to loan defaulting becoming Oman’s most prominent criminal activity, taking JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

021

into consideration how a majority of expats sign year-long rental agreements with their landlords.

This means expats – and even Omanis – who cannot afford to have money in the bank often find themselves at the cusp of being homeless.

Mariam al Balushi, 54, a businesswoman in the real estate industry with six apartment complexes within Ruwi and Wadi Kabir tells us how the financial crisis has led to several abandoning their homes and leaving the country.

She states: “Just take a look at my apartment in Wadi Kabir. We have ‘For Rent’ signboards placed on all four sides just so that people can see the vacancies. Several of these rooms are either unoccupied or have rental agreements that haven’t been honoured – and the tenant has left the country.

“Just last month, we had one expat leave the country with his family; leaving behind much of his belongings and even his car – which I learned recently is on loan.

Mariam says that there are currently 14 tenants who have fallen behind on their rental payments due to non-payment of salaries by their companies.

022

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

“I know what the reality is out there. We’re all humans and I understand that everyone wants to protect their families – and if that man had come to me and asked to withhold his cheques for months, I would have done that for him.

“Sometimes, we all need to be flexible so that someone else can continue to live a normal life. Money isn’t everything and maybe it’s the misconception that Omanis have become hostile to expats during this financial crisis that has led them to believe that.

“I can’t fault them either. Every day, we have media companies writing against expats; how visas for expats have been banned and so much confusing news on the no-objection certificate (NOC) rule. How will they feel safe in Oman?” she asks us.

“Either way, now not only do I need to pay someone to clear out his belongings, I also need to alert the municipality to clear the car from the complex,” she adds, before requesting the government to take stricter action against companies not paying their employees’ salaries than clamping down on those that have taken loans or signed annual rental agreements.

Speaking to Y on Oman’s banking law is Ahmad al Shukaili, an independent financial analyst and investment banker, who asserts that both the bank (lenders) and the government will do everything in their hands to protect the borrowers.

He says: “Even though defaulting on loans and having your cheques bounced is a criminal activity, there are quite a few procedures before you’ll be arrested.

“You won’t just be picked up from home and arrested. Firstly, you’ll need to have flouted three loan payments. These usually happen when the borrower has either come under financial strain or has expired (passed away).

“When you have defaulted on three payments, there are three bounced cheques on your name.

You’ll immediately be blacklisted by the Central Bank, so you cannot simply open another bank account.

“A warning will also be issued to you. This must be heeded immediately and you must prove in court that you are incapable to pay off the debt due to whatever reason it may be – and it doesn’t matter if you’re an expat or an Omani.”

One source, however, working with the ROP tells us a different story. He says: “Defaulting on three payments will essentially land you in jail. Right now, we have several people who are in custody for defaulting on payments.

“Most of them are expats but a few Omanis are in as well. These people must pay off the principle amount of the debt at the very least – and it all depends on how they negotiate that with the bank.

“The conditions of many of these people are truly heartbreaking. Many have families who are stuck in Oman trying to source the money. But, times are just too difficult.”

All of this has created a deep financial strain for the country. While banks take a deep hit in such cases where the borrower has absconded from the country and is defaulting on payments, it’s now the Muscat Municipality’s duty to clear these cars from public spots.

THE OMAN LAW MANDATES THAT OWNERS HAVE NO RIGHTS TO TOUCH ANOTHER PERSON’S PROPERTY, EVEN IF IT’S PARKED IN THEIR PERSONAL SPACE Salim al Jassasi, an operations executive from the municipality, says: “The Oman law mandates that owners have no rights to touch another person’s property, even if it’s parked in their personal space.

“In such cases, [the owning body of the public or private space] must first alert the ROP of such a case. They will try to contact the owner of the car or the home goods.

“If the ROP fails to sort the issue between the owners, you can contact the municipality. We will then come there, analyse the situation, and stick a warning sticker as per Article 3 of the administrative decision. In case of a car, this sticker will be placed on its window.”

The official goes on to say that abandoning vehicles for long periods contradicts the provisions of administrative decision no. 171/2018.

“Following that, if the car is still unmoved for 14 days, we will then tow and seize the vehicles. We will also not take any responsibility for damage to the vehicle during transportation to the place of reservation, and during reservation time.

“During this period, a fine will be imposed too. It can be anywhere between RO200 and RO1,000 depending on the type of vehicle.

Moreover, another RO5 will be imposed on the owner for each day that the vehicle has been impounded from the site.

The vehicle will then be placed in the impound lot for 90 days, following

which – to cut government losses – the municipality in conjunction with the ROP will then publicly auction the vehicle away.

Though, it’s to be kept in mind that the new owner may have to bear the fines and any additional mechanical expenses the car has incurred over the course of its life.

Salim then goes on to say that the municipality has towed away nearly 4,000 cars in the last three years.

He then adds: “These are tough times in the Sultanate. And a lot of people leaving their cars behind and the country are definitely taking a huge gamble by doing so – whatever the reason for their actions may be.

“It’s easy for us all to give sympathy and sweep these problems under the carpet. Reality, however, is different.

These tough times must be handled with care. Stay away from huge and overbearing loans if you’re a resident – you could lose your job.

“Also, try to opt for homes with reasonable rents so that you can bear the expenses for a few months if a problem arises.

“That’s my advice to you all: stay wise and make wise decisions. It pays off to think like a wolf.”

Meanwhile, the abandoned blue Corvette continues to gather dust. It’s fate too will be decided in the days to come. But, its future remains bleak for the foreseeable present.

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

023

LONG THOUGHT OF AS AN ARCHAIC PASTIME, THE HOBBY OF STAMP COLLECTING CAN IN FACT BE AN ART. A FORM OF VISUALSTORYTELLING IN ITS OWN RIGHT, AFTAB H. KOLA TRACKS AN HISTORIC TALE OF THE SULTANATE THROUGH ITS STAMPS

O

man, as captured through its diverse and vibrant range of stamps, serves as a guide to those who are interested in learning about the country outside of its history books. While no longer in high demand as in years gone by – with the traditional postal system living in the shadow of digital transformation – stamps still retain a subtle narrative on the nation, its history, its rulers, its geography, traditions and culture.

024

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

It was only recently that Oman Post released a collection of interactive commemorative stamps (different from definitive stamps for day-to-day mailing), that highlight and celebrate the deep roots and variety of Oman’s traditional folk art and instruments. While other stamps in the collection showcased Oman as a tourist destination, or evoked the colours of the Al Said mussar, among several other themes.

Regularly issuing special stamps to mark

occasions such as National Day, Oman Post has used these unique tiny canvases as artistic microcosms to promote national milestones and achievements. Talking about these stamps, Oman Post CEO Abdulmalik Al Balushi has stated that these stamps are elements of a “visual culture”. In order to preserve these stamps for posterity and for references for research and education, Oman Post presented to the National Records and Archive Authority as many as 53, 344 commemorative stamps.

the UNESCO list was prominently featured on a stamp in 1977 one he first postal office started its operations in Muscat in year after its discovery in the eastern 1856 and its first recorded postage stamps date back to the Wilayat of Ibri.

1860s. It was only in 1966 that the official postal stamp While 1979 was all about of the Sultanate was issued. In its earliest years, the British India commemoration of Al Arab – two Administration was managing the postal services in the beginning and, stamps with different hues spotlighting subsequently, for a brief period the service came under the Pakistan an open book symbolising the Holy administration and later the British postal service took over. It wasn’t Quran with line sketches of the until April 30, 1966, that Oman launched its very own postal service. contributions made by Arabs in the Just to go back in time, between 1896 and 1963, several stamps various fields of science. The same were released during the reign of the Al Busaidi family in Zanzibar. year also saw a stamp devoted to the The most historic stamps of this period are the four commemorative International Year of the Child with a stamps of 1944 featuring the bi-centenary of the Al Busaidi Dynasty happy visual of a girl on a swing. and depicted the coastline of East Africa and the ports of Muscat and The Sultanate’s flora and fauna also Zanzibar. saw their time in the stamp spotlight The valid stamps for use within the country were a set of 12 during the beginning of the 1980s definitives issued on April 30, 1966, and a set of four commemorating with Oman’s wildflowers, birds, animals, and seashells featured. Four the first shipment of oil from the country issued on January 1, 1969. unique stamps were also issued to celebrate the voyage of the ship This was the period when the currency in Oman was the rupee. On ‘Sohar’ from Muscat to Canton. the occasion of the change of currency, the original set of stamps from Subsequently, Oman’s costumes and seafaring vessels were 1966 was re-printed with values in Rial Saidi and Baiza and issued on highlighted in a series of stamps in the decade to follow and, in 1994, June 27, 1970. They were later over-printed with the words, ‘Sultanate the 250th anniversary of the Al Busaidi dynasty was highlighted of Oman,’ in both Arabic and English on January 17, 1971. through a special commemorative stamp.

Oman has always lent support and significance on the promotion of local crafts. Little wonder then that a set of four stamps profiling Omani traditional handicraft artists – the weaver, the potter, the mong the earliest of Omani stamp designs were the royal crest silversmith, and the halwa-maker were issued in the mid-90s, and a combination of the crest with a view of the Muscat depicting their trade and featuring an upgraded design to the postage harbour followed by a two-colour series of six forts (Nakhal, stamps.

Sohar, Samail, Nizwa, Mirani, and Muttrah) in different colour combinations. The reproductions of the forts on the stamps were from original paintings and etchings of the early 19th century.

Stamps of the Sultanate chronicle history with accuracy and attention n 2002, the opening of the iconic Sultan Qaboos Grand to all facets of life. In 1971, one year after His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Mosque was illustrated on a 100-baiza stamp and, when the Bin Said assumed leadership, there were several new sets issued. All of country began counting its citizens through a census in 2003, them reflected what was happening at the time in the country during a a stamp devoted to it was brought out. Stamps featuring Oman’s period of nation-building – and their focus was on priorities that would traditional necklaces, the Al Aqsa uprising, Girl Guides Silver take the country forward.

Jubilee, Omani traditional vessels, GCC Traffic Week, whales and On the National Day of that year, in 1971, a stamp was released on dolphins in Sultanate, were some of the wide range of diverse themes the themes of Land Development, and to mark the fifth anniversary of depicted on stamps that followed during the early years of the new UNICEF which had millennium. In particular, stamps highlighting the endangered green begun its operations turtles that have been thronging Omani shores for more than 7,000 from Oman. And, in years helped bring out awareness towards their conservation in 2002.

1973, when Oman More recently, it wasn’t until 2016 that Oman Post released a opened the new Seeb stamp spotlighting the indelible bio-cultural links that Omanis airport, replacing the developed with date palm trees. That same year it also issued a stamp smaller airstrip in Bayt referencing the graceful and endangered Arabian oryx of Oman al Falaj near Ruwi, while, in 2017, the victory of the Oman National Football team in a stamp of 50 baiza the 23rd Gulf Cup brought joy to residents of the Sultanate – with denomination featuring Oman Post joining in the celebration with a commemorative stamp the new airport with a depicting multiple dimensions of the coveted trophy to honour the photo of His Majesty win. And, finally, in 2019 two new stamps were issued – one on the ‘Call of Peace’ and another dedicated to the Sultanate’s traditional commemorating the third National Day was folk art and instruments. issued.

If every letter could tell a story of a nation, a culture, a country, and its people through its stamps, then surely our collective understanding of ourselves and our Oman could never be lost, on rom the beginning of these commemorative stamp editions, paper. ■ education was prioritized, with the Sultanate going on to release a stamp on the theme of ‘Eradication of Illiteracy’ in 1975. An issue of a stamp showing hands reaching for an open book followed this.

But at the heart of this unique form of commemorative visual storytelling, it was the Omani people who were brought into focus – most notably women and children. In 1975, Oman’s endorsement of the International Women’s Year was marked via stamp featuring a visual of a woman and child with a nurse, plus a second vertical design that showed a woman and child within the protective fold of the Omani flag.

The series of commemorative stamps issued in 1976 contained illustrations that depicted His Majesty presenting colours to a military unit and the Seeb-Nizwa road. A second stamp featured parachute landings and mechanical harvesting, while a third depicted helicopters in action and a Victory Day procession. The fourth in this collection of nation-building mementos showed road construction in the nation, and the new Salalah television station. Also, the Bat Archaeological Site – one of fourteen monuments/sites across Oman to be featured on

Early days

T

Early designs

A

A modern narrative

I

Timeline of a nation

F

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

025

T

COFFEE WITH Y MEETS A MACEDONIAN UFC FIGHTER AND COACH DIPPING HIS TOES BACK IN THE PROFESSIONAL RING – ONLY THIS TIME HE’S DONNING THE OMANI FLAG AND WITH A NATIONWIDE FAN BASE TO BACK HIM UP

026

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

he best teachers are those that lead by example.

And when it comes to punching and kicking people in the face – professionally and competitively in a secure metal cage – and then teaching those in the Sultanate the tricks of the trade, no one even comes close to Risto Dimitrov.

A Macedonian UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fighter of the highest degree and a MixedMartial Arts (MMA) coach who helped set up the first UFC Gym in the Sultanate, Risto’s CV is filled with nothing but triumphs – mostly of the moral kind.

From teaching women in the country the art of self-defense, to training youth to compete in professional MMA events, Risto has done it all in an act of passion and respect for the art; watching his students take home all the glory.

Yet, on match day, June 8, 2019, it was his students who tuned in to catch Risto’s headlining ‘Impact Fight Night’ fight live from Croatia – each praying in their own way that their coach who has given his all to his students would emerge the victor.

His obstacles were huge: the first being his ruthless opponent Marco Spiric – a young Serbian boxing champion; while the second being his absence from the arena for two years in pursuit

of setting up his career with the UFC in Oman.

But, three minutes and 12 seconds is all it would take a determined Risto to force Marco into submitting to defeat, thereby marking the coach’s first ever thumping victory. A victory that also marks Oman’s first entry into a professional fighting competition in Europe.

It was a tough win but a satisfying one, says the 33-year-old MMA fighter who has now competed in six competitions worldwide.

“It was especially hard on me as I hadn’t fought for two years prior to this. That’s a big pause in the MMA scene – and people are now calling it my comeback

match.

“Although, I must say that I received a lot of support from my fans, students, and colleagues in Oman who supported me throughout this phase up to the fight.

“We even had some fans from Croatia who turned up wearing the UFC Gym Oman shirts to up my spirits before the fight,” he says humbly.

Once the game began, Risto was seen pinning his opponent multiple times before forcing him to submit to a sturdy arm-lock.

“Marco is a tough guy, but I noticed during the fight that he wasn’t very good on the ground. So, I made sure to take him down and finish him off with an arm-lock in the very first round.”

As merciless as that sounds, Risto’s career – which began at the age of 14 – spans several victories in fighting arts such as judo, jujitsu, kickboxing, and karate; and his students say that the opponent should’ve expected nothing less.

Risto jumps in to add: “Most kids would watch television at the age of 14, but I was out there training and learning any kind of professional fighting arts.

It’s in my blood and I love it. Once that happened, I then began developing my discipline in them.”

His two-decade-long experience in the field is undoubtedly what enabled him to train quickly and lose weight from 72kgs to 66kgs for his fight.

“Most of the training for the fight I conducted in [the] two months prior.

I did a lot of late nights alone, but I also had a couple of guys coach me in the gym. It was hard, but I put everything I know into this fight and the build-up to it. I could also use the gym and its state-of-the-art facilities for training.”

Talking about his emotions representing the Sultanate on the centrestage, Risto says: “I came to Oman in 2017 to set up the gym. My intention was to stay here for two years and then leave once my job had been done.

“But Oman caught my heart very early in my days here – and I simply cannot leave here. It’s such a beautiful and friendly place to live in. I love everything here: the nature, the sea, the people, the food, and anything you can think of.

“Now, I don’t want to go back. I’m going to stay here.

The Oman-based fighter who is being represented for two years by top agency European Top Fight is now training hard for his match this September. He’s due to compete in two fights until the end of this year, while four more are slated for 2020. ■

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

027

Modern The art of Arabic calligraphy lives on through Omani artist Shabib Jamal Al Balushi whose canvasses bring the ancient form to new audiences, as Shahzad Raza discovers

S

habib Jamal Al Balushi is an architect running an engineering consultancy firm – but give him a pen and he’ll create magic.

Words flow from his brush to come alive on canvas, stroke by stroke as, through his delicate motions, an ancient art form still breathes life. A fascinating form of writing, Arabic calligraphy is Shabib’s forte and his claim to fame.

To him, calligraphy isn’t just a way of writing, it’s a symbol of the past that connects him to his roots – and it’s a passion he’s held onto since he was a young child.

“I was drawn towards calligraphy since my childhood,” he says. “Even when I was in secondary school I liked to write. I love keeping different types of pens, pencils, erasers, etc. Calligraphy has been a part of my life because most of it is just writing. I used to draw as well – be it my friends’ faces, trees, or natural landscapes. But nothing was more interesting to me than calligraphy because it’s derived from the Holy Quran, and it helps me relax.

Also, writing with the wooden pen called the ‘kasab’ – dipping it in ink and writing with it soothes me.

All these things contribute to my attraction towards calligraphy.”

Though there are many ways to play around with words through poetry, painting, or carving, Shabib is greatly fascinated by calligraphy because, unlike other art forms, it’s derived from the Holy Quran and carries significance as a form of religious expression.

“We use different shapes, colours, and styles to make the text look like art. You can see large versions of this form of Islamic art in mosques,” he explains.

Elaborating further on the types of Arabic calligraphy he says: “There are six types of Arabic calligraphy styles we can use to make text decorative. They’re Al Thaloos, Al Naskh, Al Ruq’ah, Al Koofi and, then, Al Diwani which is my favourite because it’s the most customizable type and allows you to be most creative. The Holy Quran, however, is written with Al Naskh style because it’s the easiest to read.”

What inspired and drove him down this path of expression?

028

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

“Firstly, it has to be my parents because they encouraged me to pursue Sayyid Moad Al Said who was delighted to see my work and, because of him, a calligraphy as a profession and stand out from others. They wanted to hear lot of people got to know about me and my work. So that felt great”. people call me ‘Artist Shabib’ and they always believed that I had what it Talking about whether calligraphy has a future in Oman, Shabib is quite took to become successful as a calligrapher,” he says. optimistic it has.

“I also owe my success to my teachers who supported “But we need to work hard,” he emphasizes. “You can’t just sit idly and expect me and encouraged me to follow my passion in a brighter future. You need to work hard and practice more if you want this art. I was 10-years-old when I started Arabic your dreams to come true.” calligraphy. My teachers, Mohammed Al Nouri Responding to a question on whether there are good and Mohammed Al Obaidi, helped me a lot. calligraphers in Oman, he says, “There are only a few and some And it’s been 21 years now studying and of them are my friends. This art is still in its early stages here as practising this art,” he adds. most people interested in Arabic calligraphy are still studying.”

Which calligrapher impressed him most?

What should a beginner do to become a good calligrapher “One of my biggest inspirations is the late we ask?

Turkish artist Mustafa Haleem. I studied his Shabib wants to motivate Omani youth and upcoming art and his style. His way of writing words calligraphers by offering some advice on how to start their fascinated me and journey. stoked my interest.

“First of all, you have to do research,” he says. “There Even my own style are a lot of people who claim to teach calligraphy but is inspired by him,” don’t do a good job doing so. Calligraphy is more than he explains. just writing text in a fancy way – and that’s what you have Pursuing to learn. Another thing you need is patience. You can’t calligraphy has become a good calligrapher overnight. Some people take also been a source twenty or even 30 years to succeed. It just depends on of personal and how hard you work for it and how much it means to professional pride for you. Anyone can learn Arabic calligraphy if they Shabib – especially actually want to and work hard for it.” during exhibitions.

“I feel proud during exhibitions, some of which attract ministers and dignitaries to my work. In 2018 I presented my work to His Highness

GRAB IT BEFORE IT’S GONE GET YOUR FREE COPY OF Y AT THE FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTION POINTS… Capital Region Azaiba • Amara

Dermatology Clinic • Audi Showroom • Bentley Showroom • Costa Coffee • Al Fair • Jaguar Showroom • Jeep Showroom • Al Maha Petrol

Station • Mazda Showroom • McDonald’s • Mitsubishi Showroom • Oman Arab Bank • Oman Oil Petrol

Station • Peugeot Showroom • Range Rover Showroom • Sayarti Auto Care • Shell Select • Skoda Showroom • The Sultan Center • Volkswagen Showroom • Volvo Showroom • Yamaha Showroom Bawshar • College of Banking

and Financial Studies • Dolphin Village • Modern College

of Business and Science • Muscat College • Muscat Private Hospital

(Emergency and

Outpatients) • Oman Medical College CBD • Al Maya Hypermarket • Alizz Islamic Bank • Bahwan Travel Agencies • Bank Sohar • Copper Chimney Restaurant • Costa Coffee • HSBC • Lama Polyclinic • NBO • Oman Arab Bank • Standard

Chartered Bank • Woodlands Restaurant Darsait • Indian Social Club • SPAR

• KIMS Oman Hospital • LuLu Hypermarket • Muscat Bakery • Shell Petrol Station

Al Falaj/Rex Road • Al Falaj Hotel • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Golden Oryx Restaurant • Kamat Restaurant • Toshiba Showroom Ghala • National Mineral Water Ghubra • Al Hayat

International Hospital • Al Maya Hypermarket • Bank of Beirut • Costa Coffee • Crêpe Café • GMC Showroom • LuLu Hypermarket • Moka & More • Oman Oil Petrol

Station • Park Inn • Porsche Showroom • Al Raffah Hospital • Stationery Hut • The Chedi Muscat Al Hail • Burger King • Caledonian College

of Engineering • Markaz Al Bahja Mall • McDonald’s • Omantel • Starcare Hospital Al Khoudh • Al Fair • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Pizza Hut Al Khuwair • Badr Al Samaa Hospital • Bait Al Reem Mall • Caffè Vergnano • Centrepoint

(Splash) • Diplomatic Club • Grand Hyatt Muscat • Harley-Davidson Showroom • HSBC • KFC • SPAR • Khimji’s Watches • KM Trading • Landmark Group

• McDonald’s • Muscat Bakery • Oman Bowling Center • Oman Oil Petrol

Station • Oman United Insurance • Omran • Pizza Hut • Radisson Blu • Shell Petrol Station • TGI Friday’s • The Great Kabab Factory • The Tikka Place • Zahara Travel • Zakher Mall Mabela • Gulf College Oman Mawalah • Chili’s Restaurant • Costa Coffee • Al Makan Café • Starbucks • Tim Hortons • VLCC Wellness MBD • Bank Dhofar • Centrepoint

(Splash) • SPAR • NBO • Oman Oil Petrol

Station • Pizza Hut • Pizza Muscat • Shell Petrol Station MGM • Caribou Coffee • Gloria Jean’s

Coffees • Just Falafel • Ooredoo • Paul • Tim Hortons Al Mina • Bait Al Baranda • Bait Al Zubair MSQ • Al Fair • Arab Open University • British Council • Costa Coffee • D’Arcy’s Kitchen • Hana’s Slimming &

Skincare Centre • Kargeen Caffe • KFC • MacKenzies Café

& Deli • Mood Café • Oman Oil Petrol

Station • Papa John’s Pizza • Pizza Hut

• Saharz Beauty Salon • Starbucks Al Murtafa’a • Bank Muscat • KFC • Muscat Hills Golf &

Country Club Muscat International Airport • Caribou Coffee • Majan Lounge • Plaza Premium Lounge Mussanah • Millennium Resort Muttrah • Shell Petrol Station Qantab • Al Bustan Palace • Marina Bandar Al Rowdha • Oman Dive Center • Shangri-La Qurum • Al Araimi Complex • Balance Health & Fitness • Bank Nizwa • BMW showroom • Burger King • Chili’s Restaurant • Crowne Plaza • Finland Eye Center • Fun Zone • Gloria Jean’s

Coffees • The Jungle Restaurant • Left Bank • McDonald’s • Mercedes-Benz Showroom • Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant • Nandos • Nissan Showroom • Oman Oil Petrol

Station • Pizza Hut • Qurum Commercial Complex • Ras Al Hamra Club • SABCO Centre • Second Cup • Starbucks • The Sultan Center • Tche Tche Café Rusayl • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-1 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-2 • Knowledge Oasis Muscat-3 • Knowledge Oasis

Muscat-4 (ITA) • Middle East College • Omantel • Waljat College of

Applied Sciences Ruwi • Apollo Medical Centre • Kamat Restaurant • KFC • Khimji’s Mega

Store – Swarovski Showroom • Khimji’s Watches • KM Trading • Oman Air • Oman UAE Exchange • Oman Trading Establishment • Saravana Bhavan Sarooj • Al Fair • Al Masa Mall • City Cinema • Ayana Spa • Cosmeclic • Emirates Medical Center • McDonald’s • Shell Petrol Station • VLCC Wellness Sawadi • Al Sawadi Beach Resort Seeb • Golden Tulip Hotel • McDonald’s Shatti Al Qurum • Bareeq Al Shatti Complex • Caribou Coffee • D’Arcy’s Kitchen • German Eye Centre • The Indus Restaurant • InterContinental

Hotel Muscat • Jawharat Al Shatti Complex • Kaya Skin Clinic • Muscat Eye Laser Center • Oasis By The Sea • Second Cup • Starbucks • VLCC Wellness Sifah • Sifawy Boutique Hotel SQU • Diplomatic Club • College of

Economics and

Political Science

• Students Banking Area • Reception/ Canteen Wadi Kabir • Al Maya Hypermarket • LuLu Hypermarket • Muscat Pharmacy • National Hospitality

Institute • Pizza Hut • Shell Petrol Station Wattayah • Ahli Bank • Best Cars • BLS International Services • Chevrolet/GM showroom • Ford Showroom • Hatat House • Honda Showroom • Hyundai Showroom • Kia Showroom • Lexus Showroom • National Travel & Tourism • Passage To India Restaurant • Shell Petrol Station • Subaru Showroom • Suzuki Showroom • Toyota Showroom Al Mouj Muscat • Almouj Golf • Costa Coffee • Oman Sail • Shakespeare & Co. • Al Mouj Muscat

Head Office Other Regions Barka • Al Nahda Spa and Resort • LuLu Hypermarket Nizwa • University of Nizwa Sohar • Centrepoint

(Splash) • Crowne Plaza • National Gift Markets • Ooredoo • Pizza Hut • Safeer Mall • Sohar Beach Hotel • Sohar Port and Freezone • Sohar University

TOO LATE? DON’T WORRY. GET Y INSTANTLY ONLINE USING YOUR MOBILE DEVICES & PC

Visit www.y-oman.com/current-issue/ No downloading required FOLLOW US ON:

@ytabloid

/ytabloid

www.y-oman.com

/ytabloid

ymagazine

/ymagazine

Adventures

Cars

Y- F i

Gaming

CARS AND ADVENTURES

SAILOR’S SENTINEL

The Sur Lighthouse has long stood watch over the coastal waters, guiding fishermen home

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

031

CARS AND OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

D E S T I N AT I O N P o s t c a r d s f r o m

Y- F i

Outdoors

Sur Lighthouse Shaquel Al Balushi travels to the coastal city of Sur to visit an edifice that forms the basis of life for a clan of fishermen 032

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

Cars

E

to the nearby fish markets.

Just as we were about to hang our coat and call it a day, we noticed one Omani – an aged man – who was quite keen to see what we were up to on the beach.

And, just as we explained our intentions and showed him some of our pictures, he revealed how he had been a fisherman in his early days, and that he only hung by the beach to catch a whiff of his youth, telling us, with his voice wavering: “That lighthouse you were taking pictures of; that was the only light you could see on a dark night.

“The starry skies would often confuse us when we were heading back, as we weren’t traditionally great in navigating long distances with stars like some others. But, it was during those times that we would scout the wavy

waters for a flashing light… and it was always there.

“Today, in the eyes of the passersby, it’s an attraction; but the fishermen of Sur are forever indebted to the structure and that small revolving light inside that led us back to our homes to feed our families.”

Perhaps, it’s this attachment to the lighthouse that often gets overlooked.

The perfect spot for my last photography session with Y Magazine, this coastal hamlet and its sentinel icon also allowed one man to relive his past and show us his emotions about an historic structure that continues to steal the skyline of Sur.

HOW TO GET THERE

TRAVEL GUIDE

very beach in has its own signature – a mark that distinguishes it from the nearby coastlines and gives it its own identity.

Oman is no different. And just like the beach in Seeb with its famed fishing huts, or Azaiba beach with the green park overlooking the waters, and Ras al Jinz with the turtles that nest on its white sands, the beach in Sur has its own mark – a lighthouse.

Standing tall and stealing the foreground to the gorgeous beach that forms the Sur coastline is the lighthouse of Al Ayjah – a staple structure that has, for the last few decades, helped many a fisherman navigate back to land during the evening hours with his catch.

It’s an edifice of importance to the locals of Sur, and a place I’d always wanted to visit.

So, when presented with the daunting proposition of selecting a (memorable) area for my final Destination (pun intended) for Y Magazine, I narrowed it down to Sur and the lighthouse that defines its seascape.

We – my cousin Imran and I – began our trip to the outskirts of Muscat early in the morning, as was routine, and reached Sur in the wee hours of the day – 5:00 a.m. to be precise.

From the city, it’s a mere 10-minute drive to the prominent suspended bridge that doubles as a popular as a tourist spot and local hangout.

But, a five-minute walk further through the village and the rocky terrain that constricts the sea from coming in will take you to the Al Ayjah lighthouse… and that’s exactly what we did.

Having reached the three-storey structure – which unfortunately was shut on the day of our trip – we quickly began scouting around and clicking pictures of the sea and the lighthouse’s beautiful exterior.

Dominating the skyline of the bay – but not nearly as tall as, say, the Jeddah lighthouse that spans over 133m, this hidden gem proudly showcases the heritage and culture of the Sultanate with its architecture.

Up close, we were able to catch its striking details – starting from the windows which are reminiscent to those of ancient Omani forts, to the intricate door carvings, and pale-white colour palette that matches the nearby homes of the city.

Those looking to enter the lighthouse can do so later on in the day, and we’ve been told that the view from the top is nothing short of “majestic and dramatic.”

Slightly disappointed by our timing, we then headed deeper into the fishing area, leaving behind the lighthouse. The beach was peppered with fishing boats, laying silent and untouched after their late-night tidal outings.

All the fish from the night would have already been sold to the public upon arrival and the rest transferred

The route to Sur is very simple.

From Muscat, take Road 17 all the way until it meets Road 23. Take a left and head into Sur, travelling along the beach road with the sea on your left.

The lighthouse will be visible, but to access it you need to cross the suspension bridge and head left.

GPS coordinates: N 22°34’8”, E 59°32’24” JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

033

CARS ADVENTURES

TOYOTA COROLLA

FIRST DRIVE

L

et’s all be objective here: we all love the Toyota Corolla. Why else would more than 47million be sold over four decades of its existence?

Pegged as a safe bet in a not-so-sane time in the automotive ecosphere with manufacturers pushing harder to get more SUVs on the roads, the Corolla not only comes across as an unrivalled option in the midsize compact segment, it could also revive the dying market.

As safe a bet it seems, however, Toyota’s stalwart sedan has never clocked in more versatility and style as it does with its 12th generation of the very car that began the trend – and this time around it also has a trick up its sleeve: a hybrid power-train. But, more on that in a bit.

Toyota’s winning recipe begins with an all-new design – one that ditches the curves from its earlier gen for sharper character lines and bold streaks.

034

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

Toyota’s stalwart sedan enters gen-12 with a couple tricks up its sleeve that’ll have its competition losing sleep over

So, out goes the hawk-eyed headlamps and wedgeshaped tail lamps from 2018 and in comes swooping LED-packed headlamps and a similarly sportylooking tail-lamp complete with diffused LEDs to give it an upscale feeling posterior.

The fascia itself is quite reminiscent to that of its larger siblings – the Camry and Avalon; with its large, gaping air intakes and deep crease that opens to the fog-lamp housing on the sides of the front bumper. The bracketing of the fog-lamps also adds to the overall stance of the car – essentially making it a wider car than it may seem to the eyes.

Building on the newly-refurbished TNGAarchitecture, the Corolla now grows marginally in size from outside but offers far more usable space inside than ever before.

The interiors have also been done from the ground-up, which comes as a welcome change from the functional if a bit dowdy one of yesteryear.

Instead, there’s plenty of tech to play with and the interior is cleaner and more functional too – as we saw in our fully-loaded hybrid tester.

On the forefront of it all is the 8-inch touch-screen you’ll find on its larger sedan offerings, which comes pre-loaded with a useful suite of apps including an efficiency monitor and a live-feed from the Atkins cycle layout showing how the power is being sourced and the status of the battery. The head unit is also slick to use, with quick response times and immediate reactions to the user’s push. It also adds in the ever-important rear-view camera system.

We also got a bright 7-inch LCD colour screen on the instrument cluster (lower variants will receive a 4.2-inch screen), along with push-button start, power windows and mirrors, a banging six-speaker surround-sound system with Bluetooth audio, fabric upholstery with plenty of soft touch trim on the dashboard and doors and, best of all, a tinted sun-roof.

Fit and finish inside the cabin is top-notch, as you’d expect from a Toyota. Our tester also came with glossy piano black trim around the dashboard and around the HVAC controls.

Space inside is classleading – and far more than what we’ve ever seen in a Corolla.

There’s just about enough space for five full-size adults and the roofline

D e s t i n at i o n

is square enough to fit taller passengers that clock in at six feet or more.

Boot space is commendable and is large enough to fit two full-size suitcases and three smaller ones simultaneously. We also admired the several nifty storage compartments within the cabin for stowing away smaller items (such as bottles or papers).

This year marks a milestone for Toyota Oman, as it brings over the first-ever hybrid variant of a Corolla to the country – a timely addition that should help tackle the rising fuel prices.

Underneath the hood lies a 1.8-litre ‘Atkins Cycle’ inline four-cylinder motor that runs the front wheels via a continuously variable

Po s t c a r d s Fr o m

Y-Fi

transmission (CVT).

Power figure is rated at 121hp at the wheels, but it dials in some truly bonkers fuel efficiency readouts to the mix – 27.6km/l to be precise.

The consistency of the fuel-efficient drive comes in conjunction with the transmission, which is quick to respond to throttle inputs – but even quicker to lower revs when the car has settled into its speed.

Zero to 100kph is achieved in about 10.5 seconds, which is truly admirable for a hybrid sedan, and there’s plenty of low-end torque to provide you with that immediate thrust.

Speaking of which, Toyota also throws in an ‘EV mode’ for making use of the electric motor when you’re cruising around the city.

It’s a small motor, but can efficiently propel you to 60kph before finally letting the petrol motor kick in. However, the electric motor can be overridden by the petrol motor should the batteries’ charge fall below 40 per cent, or if there’s a requirement for immediate power.

Still, driving in EV mode is addictive. The lack of a roaring petrol motor and any form of sound upfront to get your car moving is eerie. Albeit, there is a slight electric engine whine that is quite satisfying to hear.

Road and tire noise are also dialed down to keep the car quiet at high speeds, while there’s not much wind resistance at speeds of up to 130kph. This also means the car is stable on the highways.

In true Toyota fashion, the steering wheel is light. Still, the 225/45 tires wrapped around the 17-inch alloys did relay some command to the steering

Gaming

CARS

TOYOTA COROLLA Specifications: • Engine: 1.8-litre ‘Atkins Cycle’ in-line four-cylinder • Transmission: Continuously variable transmission (CVT) • Power: 121hp (Net) • Fuel Efficiency: 27.6 km/l • Top Speed: 190kph Front-wheel drive Cruise control 8-inch infotainment screen Rear and front parking sensors 7-inch TFT multi-information display Driver and front passenger airbags + ABS + EBD + BA LED projector headlamps Dual-tone upholstery Leather steering wheel 17-inch alloy wheels Rear-view camera Sunroof

TOYOTA’S WINNING RECIPE BEGINS WITH AN ALL-NEW DESIGN – ONE THAT DITCHES THE CURVES FROM ITS EARLIER GEN FOR SHARPER CHARACTER LINES AND BOLD STREAKS. wheel during our cornering test. Initial drive impressions didn’t reveal any frontwheel-drive understeer; even at speeds of up to 60kph in sharp bends, we didn’t feel actual owners of the car will push it to limits higher than that.

If that does happen, it can be countered with the strong and linear brakes which are electronically stabilised with EBD, allowing the driver to command the car to a quick stop without any added drama.

On the ride comfort front, there’s plenty of give from the suspension. This makes it very compliant on harsh roads; soaking up the bumps with ease, while offering passengers supreme levels of onroad coziness. Also, the seats are soft and well-cushioned.

The Toyota Corolla has always been a sure-shot and safe bet for anyone looking for a well-rounded package when crossshopping for a compact sedan. But, for the 2020 MY, the Corolla sprinkles in the best of what the hybrid market has to offer.

What’s more is that it bundles it all in a beautiful shell with space and comfort levels never imagined or experienced before from a Corolla. We have another winner on our hands here.

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

035

&

CARS ADVENTURES

PEARL OF THE GULF The Qatari capital thrums with fine-dining, culture, and football fever

1. Take in a Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra performance at Katara 2. Wander the galleries at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art 3. Hit up the Angry Birds theme park at Doha Festival City 4. Make an historic day-trip to the Al Zubarah Fort UNESCO site 5. Kayak through the mangroves at Al Thakira

036

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

Destination

Cars

Y-Fi

Gaming

POSTCARDS FROM

Ashlee Starratt recommends

DOHA, QATAR S

even years in the GCC and I still remember the first day I arrived in Doha. Its iconic West Bay skyline forever etched in my mind’s eye of a place that, for me, came to define a fundamental sense of place in a region that I would come to consider as home.

Sticking out like a thumb-print into the Arabian Sea, Qatar is - quite literally, marked to stand out. As the tiny Gulf nation readies itself to host the world’s largest football tournament in 2020 - the FIFA World Cup - the last decade or more have seen a flurry of development the pace of which is, when you stop and think about it, truly mind-boggling.

Its glittering skyscrapers sprouting like trees round the oasis of the Doha Corniche, the city’s downtown core is probably one of the most beautiful examples of compact urban planning, boasting some of architecture’s most-decorated heavy-hitters standing cheek-by-jowl within a stone’s throw from one another.

There’s the iconic Museum of Islamic Art designed by the late, great I.M. Pei; while A CAR AVAN O T H E A L F C A M E L S IN just down the street, the recent grand opening of the spectacular Jean NouvelF ZUBA RAH FO RONT OF designed Qatar National Museum - crafted to look like an elusive desert rose RT drew a who’s who of celebrities from Victoria Beckham and Johnny Depp, to Nicholas Sarkozy, former President of France.

During the cooler months, Doha is an extremely pedestrian-friendly city (thought it wasn’t always the case), with a five-kilometre-long Corniche with its array of dhow boats waiting to ferry visitors out on the water for one of the most Instagram-worthy views of the city.

New green spaces also abound as Qatar fully embraces a push towards sustainability and renewable energy in an ever-shifting economy of resources, with the brand-new Al Bidda park staking its claim as the first pet-friendly public space in the city, and Education City’s Oxygen Park playing host to the star-studded 2019 Qatar International Food Festival back in March - and, let’s not leave out the always evergreen Aspire Park in the heart of the capital’s sports hub, Aspire Zone.

The effects of the ongoing GCC crisis have done little to stymie Qatar’s indomitable spirit, with the Qatar Tourism Authority announcing in 2017, in the wake of the continuing blockade, visa-free entry to more than 80 nationalities.

EST BAY T U R IS T IC W D OH A ’S FU S K Y L IN E

My favourite place No afternoon in downtown Doha is complete without a visit to its iconic Souq Waqif. Adjacent to the

grounds of the Amiri Diwan, this sprawling historically-accurate replica of its old traditional ‘Standing Market’ is a warren of fragrant alley-ways and medinas filled with spice, gold, perfume, date, and fabric vendors. Souvenirs abound (best practice your haggling) and the Souq is also home to a collection of unique five-star boutique hotels, a camel paddock, falcon hospital, and dozens of diverse restaurants catering to every taste.

Highlights The Doha foodie scene is a microcosm of every nationality that’s left their mark on the tiny emirate. Big flavours abound to suit every budget – from street-food trucks, and cheap-as-chips noodle and curry shops, to the supreme upper echelons of foodie royalty – with chefs Morimoto, Wolfgang Puck, Gordon Ramsay and Salt Bae all leaving their culinary signature throughout the city. Don’t miss – Friday brunch at Nobu, a taste of authentic Yemeni food in Souq Waqif at Bandar Aden, and a late-night trip to The Chippy for a taste of Britain.

Lowlights Given its small geographic size and the fact that there is, at minimum, one vehicle on the road for all of the it’s 2.6 million people – Qatar roads can get pretty congested. Give yourself extra time to get from Point A to Point B during peak hours or give public transportation a go with a day-pass to its newly-opened state-of-the-art Doha Metro line that will have you whizzing across town in a jiffy.

Souvenirs Delicious ripe local dates, colourful shawls/pashminas and Arabic lanterns or coffee pots from Souq Waqif, gold jewelry, or traditional Qatari oud fragrances.

Getting there Both Oman Air and Qatar Airways operate direct daily service from Muscat to Doha.

Where to stay While Airbnb is still yet to catch on in the Qatari capital, there’s no shortage of three- to five-star

hotels to suit every budget. The InterContinental Doha, Sheraton Doha, and Four Seasons Doha remain icons in the city’s hospitality scene, while upmarket entries such as the W Doha and Mondrian Doha are where the city’s scenesters step out in style.

THE JE AN NOU VE N A T IO N L - D E S IG N E D AL MU SEUM QATAR

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

037

-FI THE TECH IN YOU

D e s t i n at i o n

Cars

Gaming

Y-FI

SMART STORAGE The Y Geek Squad rounds up the top storage solutions for the data rich JUST GOOGLE IT Whether you’re looking for a storage solution for your personal or professional data, Google has the answers for you. Sure, a localised hard-drive would be easier to access, but Google Drive offers you the opportunity to carry several gigabytes worth of files without having to lumber through multiple bags for your harddrives and laptops. Its seamless integration across multiple platforms means you can access vital files from your smartphone, and Google’s legendary security systems should also keep you safe from hackers. At sign-up, you’ll receive 15GB of free storage, and larger packs start at 770 baisas for 100GB and max out at RO115.48 for 30TB.

PRIVACY FIRST

EVER READY You either love Samsung or you hate them – but the smartphone pioneers also know a thing or two about making durable and smart personal storage devices. The Samsung Portable SSD T3 – a successor to their flagship storage lineup from 2016, comes in a variety of options; ranging from 250GB to 2TB. All models will feature aluminium construction and come with a USB-C port instead of an outdated MicroUSB 3.0 port. The boffins also say that the drive can withstand up to 1,500 g's of force, survive a drop of up to two metres and, more importantly, dissipate heat quickly with the built-in Thermal Guard feature. Buy it from amazon.com for RO50 and upwards.

STORAGE MASTERS

EDITOR’S PICK 038

Free cloud storage is easy to find, but what you get in freebies you trade for in privacy. Enter Mega.nz – a one-stop shop for those looking for a cost-effective alternative to Google Drive.

With 50 gigs of storage offered for free and with class-leading encryption to protect you from hackers, there’s very little to fault here. Moreover, its interface is also perfect for storing and viewing photos, videos, documents, and the lot.

This is the perfect solution for those data rich but cash poor, with top-tier packages setting you back only RO2.2 for 200GB of storage.

THE MASTERS OF THE PORTABLE STORAGE GAME, WESTERN DIGITAL, CANNOT BE FORGOTTEN IN OUR HAND-PICKED LIST OF FAVOURITES. THE WD MY PASSPORT SSD PACKS A PUNCH WITH ITS RUGGED, SUPER-LIGHT, YET COMPACT HARD-DRIVE THAT CAN BE HAD IN A WIDE RANGE OF CAPACITIES. DESPITE STARTING IN AT 256GB AND MAXING OUT AT 1TB, THE DEVICE MEASURES IN AT A MERE 3.5 X 1.8 X 0.39 INCHES AND WEIGHS LESS THAN THE USB-C CABLE THAT IT COMES WITH. IT’S ALSO SHOCK-RESISTANT UP TO 1,500 G’S OF FORCE, AND COMES WITH 256-BIT AES HARDWARE ENCRYPTION, MAKING IT A WONDERFUL PROSPECT FOR LONG-TERM STORAGE OF FILES. GET YOURS FROM LULU ELECTRONICS FOR RO38.5.

JUL 1103- 17- 09/ ISSUE JULY / ISSUE576327

Mortal Kombat 11

Info Box

Engine: UNREAL ENGINE Publisher: WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT Developers: NETHERREALM STUDIOS, QLOC, AND SHIVER Platforms: PS4, XBOX ONE, PC, NINTENDO SWITCH

This near three-decade-old fighter game takes the best of its past and masks it with plenty of realism to hit where it counts: multi-player competition

A

n unlikely contender for a game on family night, Mortal Kombat takes bloodshed, gore, and combat to the eleventh with this cranked-up sequel to last year’s release.

Introduced to the masses 27 years ago as a game that predominantly let you rip apart friendships over gaming sessions, Mortal Kombat quickly gained a reputation of giving kids around the globe with a Sega console unrestrained access to violent gaming – and this one is no different.

Yes, it’s graduated from the pixelated realms of Sega from the bygone era and affixes a modern engine with realistic (if a bit too much) game-play with its PS4, Xbox One, and PC ports.

Realism is key here, as ‘Fatality’ finishes are accentuated by savage attacks that are more cinematic to watch than tedious, and there’s plenty of cut

scenes depending on the player roster to match up to the task of bringing awe to gamers.

As expected, there are single and multi-player modes available to tinker with. The latter steals the cake when it comes to cranking the competition up a notch; there’s still that sense of accomplishment to taking down a friend over a gaming night that you just can’t get with an AI match.

The game-play has been slowed down in pursuit of more cinematic scenes and takedowns, which can invariably frustrate someone who’s dead beat, and you’ll now receive bits and pieces from the environment that you can interact with to make your match even more competitive.

Also, this time around, players whose characters are under three per cent health or lower can activate fatal blows to keep the game competitive. Not only does

this give you a chance against a harder opponent, it’ll also make the ending moments of the game almost as tense as a Mexican standoff.

There’s a learning curve to the game that we can’t deny. Combos are frustratingly hard to activate if you knock a wrong button in a 10-button takedown or if you find yourself looking for a breather from your opponent, and beginner’s luck overshadows skills – especially if the opponent has faster hands than you.

We found ourselves attacking every single button on our PS4 console quickly to take down players with several 100 wins with ease, showing how winning can simply be a matter of choosing a quicker one of the 25 characters and forcing the controller to its breaking point.

Perhaps it’s that level of silliness that keeps a game such as Mortal Kombat relevant in today’s day and age – and for that very reason, we love it.

JULYJUL0311 -- 0917 / ISSUE 576 327

039

HEALTH& BEAUTY

TROPIC SUMMER

Float away in the season’s breeziest bohochic with ethereal fabrics and sizzling island prints

040

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

Health

Beauty

FASHION

T t Ge

k o o L e h

, reet ook t s l gh e hi get the h t d to you to n e gh ps e hi att hel h t rr Fromlee Sta Ash

When the mercury’s pushing 50 Celsius, this strappy sky-blue mini-dress from MANGO is as light as a cloud and will keep you cool – quite literally! On sale for just RO19 it’s a bargain to beat!

Paisley’s packing a punch this summer as the quintessential pattern of bohemia makes a comeback. Pair this sweet little tank-top from Promod with those denim shorts and get ready to rock the festival circuit on your summer hols! Hang it in your closet for RO6.5.

Look your boho-best in a delicately printed pashmina from Max that you can easily throw on to cover your shoulders when you’re heading indoors where the A/C’s icy! Own it for RO1.2.

Nothing spells summer like a pair of denim cut-offs. We love the ripped comfort of these pair of boyfriend shorts from H&M that we guarantee you’ll want to live in from now till September. Pair them with a cute patterned top and you’re good to go! Get them for RO11.5.

Keep the summer sweat off your face and those wayward hairs out of your eyes – all the while looking fashionable.

This satin-twist headband from River Island in a fruity fuchsia is just the accessory for the job!

Wear it for RO4.8.

Tether any vibrant ensemble together with a comfortable shoe in a versatile neutral. We love this pair of anklestrap sandals from Call It Spring with a chunky wood-accent heel that lends an earthy bohemian vibe.

Snag a pair for RO15.3.

Nothing ties an outfit together like a good dose of punchy accessories and this bold printed handbag from Aldo Accessories ticks all the boxes – it’s got colour, sparkle, and heaps of tropical sizzle.

Price: RO23.

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

041

HEALTH&

Health

BEAUTY

Fa s h i o n

Home

Fa m i l y

Back

TO BASICS

A good base coat goes a long way when it comes to laying the foundation for your beauty routine.

Christine Karan brings you some of our fave formulas for summer that can stand the heat

W

ith the Omani summer heat soaring, protecting our skin from its searing rays becomes priority number one.

(Thanks, global warming!) From sun-block creams to high-SPF makeup we rush to stock up on everything available on the market to save our skin – but are we using the right products?

When it comes to getting that extra layer of protection from our makeup, without a doubt a good foundation is the building block of our daily routine. With more formulas acting as a moisturiser, primer, and sunscreen – our main concern these days is simply choosing the right shade for our skin tones.

As more global brands adapt their formulas to weather the summer heat-waves we’ve rounded up some of the best that can withstand the temperatures and leaving you glowing, not melting!

1. Lancôme: Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Lasting Foundation The Holy Grail of foundations for many makeup artists, Lancôme’s formula is one that blends with your skin flawlessly. It’s creamier and lighter, with almost full

042

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

coverage – making it a perfect foundation for the summer. Wear it either day or night, and you don’t need to worry about fine lines or creasing. Price: RO 26.

glow, then Bobbi Brown’s got you sorted. This foundation’s waterbased formula blends into the skin to instantly moisturise and boost your glow – it’s also oil-free which helps your further achieve that natural shine! Price: RO21.

2. K7L Anti-Aging Foundation

As so many incredible brands with humble roots, K7L started at the kitchen table of Kuwaiti entrepreneur Areej El Essa.

Inspired by Arabian culture and coupled with a passion to create an essential cosmetic for the Middle Eastern woman, Areej created K7L – pronounced as ‘KHL’ or ‘khol’ in honour of the Arab and Asian culture’s iconic eyeliner. With an anti-aging formula for those above 45, it’s a product that gives users a seamless blend and full coverage – all you need is just two or three pumps and you’re set for the next nine hours. Shop the full K7L range at www.k7l.com.

4. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Advanced Never Fail Makeup

This makeup must-have is perfectly on (price) point – and, with a formula that’s humidity-proof, it stays on your skin for full-day coverage up to 18 hours straight. It also contains essential vitamins and minerals to be absorbed that help your skin appear refreshed and less fatigued, with a matte finish throughout. The final touch that makes this one of our all-time 3. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 go-to’s? It contains SPF 20. Wear it and walk If you’re looking for a foundation with a lighter in the sun with confidence – chic and sharp! finish that doesn’t skimp on that radiant summer Price: RO5.7. ■

Beauty

HEALTH

Fa s h i o n

Home

Fa m i l y

THE HEAT IS ON What you incorporate into your diet could help you stay cool and hydrated in order to avoid heatstroke during the hot summer months advises nutritionist Wania Raza.

C

oping with Oman’s sweltering summer can take a heavy toll on your body and, if not kept sufficiently hydrated, could lead to serious consequences like heatstroke. A common mistake many people make in extreme weather conditions is not eating the right foods daily and staying thirsty for extended periods which could prove fatal in certain conditions.

Heatstroke occurs due to overheating of the body, usually resulting from prolonged exposure to, or physical exertion in high temperatures.

Heatstroke, the most serious form of heat injury, can occur if your body temperature rises to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 Celsius) or higher. The condition is most common in the summer months.

Emergency treatment is required for a heatstroke. If left untreated, it can rapidly damage your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. The longer the treatment is delayed, the higher the risk of grave complications or death.

Here are some of the best foods you can include in your daily diet to help your body remain hydrated and prepared for extreme heat and its hazards:

Coconut water

Coconut water is a life-line for heatstroke patients as it helps regain vital fluid loss, combats dehydration, and simultaneously replenishes the electrolyte balance of the body. It’s also rich in minerals and restores potassium and sodium balance in the body which is necessary for optimal muscle function and various other vital processes.

Coconut water is also an energy powerhouse. This clear liquid is packed with amino acids, minerals, electrolytes, and digestive enzymes. It also has the elusive B vitamins proven to improve your energy metabolism.

Watermelon

This cool and refreshing fruit is a blessing in the hot summer months, and if heat takes a toll on you a cold slice of watermelon is all you need! It assists in replenishing fluid and electrolyte loss as it’s rich in minerals such as potassium. It also helps optimise body functions as it’s packed with amino acids such as citrulline, lysine, arginine, and antioxidants such as lycopene and vitamin C – making it an immediate energy booster and fluid store.

Cucumber

Cucumber is another gift in the summer months. It also has an impressive water content and high potassium levels. Cucumbers are also praised for their anti-inflammatory capabilities, which can relieve those uncomfortable heatinduced headaches or a nasty sunburn too.

The variety with which cucumber can be used is versatile – from fresh salads and sauces, to juices and various drinks.

Basil seeds

Pomegranate

Pomegranate is another fruit that has an impressive mix of rich minerals and antioxidants which not only replenishes lost fluid and electrolytes but also reduces inflammation and detoxifies the body. Pomegranates can be put to good use in the summer in a variety of ways. A glass of pomegranate juice instantly refreshes and provides minerals and an energy boost to the body, at the same time it can also be used in salads, sauces, and other dishes as well.

DRINKS TO DETOXIFY 1. Cucumber, mint, and lemon 8-10 slices of cucumber, 4-5 slices of lemon, and 5-6 mint leaves in a litre of water will do the trick and show amazing results.

2. Coconut with honey/jaggery A teaspoon of honey or jaggery in a glass of fresh coconut water is an instant electrolyte replenisher and a major energy booster!

Basil seeds are a real gem in the list. They’re another food very rich in minerals, thus helping restore electrolyte balance – and they have a noteworthy fibre content. They also have an impressive amount of flavonoids and polyphenols which have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits in the body. Basil seeds are a source of essential Omega-3 fatty acids needed for various functions in the body and supporting heart health. Basil seeds can be utilised in a wide array of foods including drinks such as plain water, juices, and smoothies. They can also be added to salads and sauces to further reap their immense benefits.

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

043

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

Reviews

PUCKER UP!

YUMMY

We’re sweet over this traditionally sour Omani pantry staple

LEMON AID When life hands you lemons – you squeeze every last drop of flavour! And Omanis have been doing just that over the centuries with ‘loomi’ or dried lemon. Swati Basu Das explores how it became a local delicacy

A

kitchen essential and perennial favourite, the humble lemon forms the base of the citrus varieties majorly-cultivated in Oman. An ancient citrus ingredient, lemon – derived from the Arabic word ‘laymuun’, is typically Omani when used in its dried form. A traditional spice found in almost all local cuisine, ‘loomi’ (dried lemon) is available in abundance in almost all local stores and souqs.

Be it its healing habits or mouth-puckering tendencies, the zest of loomi is singular.

For Nasra Saif Hamood Al Jabri, who manages three of her farms in Baushar, it’s an ingredient that’s an indelible part of her culinary identity:“Here in Oman, every kitchen garden has a lemon tree, and every farm grows them. Lemons meet our daily requirement – be it a glass of lemonade or in an authentic Omani dish.”

The best-known souring agent, a fresh squeeze of lemon adds an invigorating flavour to anything from stews to desserts.

The essence of almost every traditional Omani cuisine is inherently incomplete without the distinctive, strongly-flavoured essence of loomi. A typical Omani

044

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

spice, the dusky dried lemon is a standby in every kitchen. “They’re readily available in local markets and even dried at home. We pluck them when they ripen, before they turn squishy. They’re then boiled in water and dried in the sun for days to get the right dark-brown texture until they harden and lose all their water content,” explains Nasra. “They contain Vitamins C and D and tons of minerals; they’re known to heal indigestion and even prevent heart disease.”

A blend of loomi in traditional Omani recipes like ‘paplou’ (fish soup), ‘machboos’ (Omani biriyani), ‘shuwa,’ or refreshing ‘loomi’ tea ignites an exquisite flavour.

“We poke it with a sharp knife before adding them in; the flavour releases slowly. We remove the whole dried lemon from the recipe before serving and we also grind them into powder depending on the recipe,” Nasra points out.

The key to great taste in any dish comes through the balance and marriage of its ingredients. Here are a few of our favourite recipes where the aromatic properties of loomi add the perfect tang!

Omani Paplou Soup (Fish Soup) This bowlful of comfort will Method: bring your taste-buds to § Using a mortar and pestle, make life with the tart infusion a paste of the garlic, ginger, ¼ teaspoon of loomi. turmeric, salt, cilantro, chili, and 1 ½ tablespoons water. Set aside.

Ingredients: § Soak the dried lemon for a few minutes in § 1 lb tuna water to soften the skin. § ¼ cup, fresh cilantro § Make a small hole by piercing it with a § 3 cloves garlic paring knife or fork. § 1 2-inch piece fresh § Bring 5 cups of water to a boil in a medium ginger saucepan over medium-high heat § 1 lemon, dried § Add the black pepper and the remaining ½ § 1 lemon, wedges teaspoon turmeric and cook for 2 minutes. § 1 plum tomato § Add the tomato, boil 5 minutes, then add § 1 chili the onion, and cook 5 minutes more. § ¼ cup lemon juice, § Stir in the lemon juice, garlic-ginger paste, freshly squeezed cayenne, and dried lemon. Cover with a lid § 1 cup, cooked Basmati and decrease the heat to medium-low and rice cook 15 minutes. § ¼ tsp, ground black § Remove the dried lemon pepper § Add the tuna and gently stir; cover and § 1/8 tsp, cayenne pepper simmer until the fish is cooked powder § Serve over cooked Basmati rice § 1 tsp, kosher salt § Garnish with chopped cilantro and lemon § ¾ tsp, ground turmeric wedges. § 1 small or ½ a medium (Source: www.internationalcuisine.com) red onion, diced

Loomi Tea The ultimate cure-all in a cup, there’s nothing quite like a bracing pot of loomi tea to set the world to rights Ingredients: § 2 dried lemons (loomi Omani) § 4 cups, water § ¼ cup, honey

§ In a small saucepan, combine the water with the crushed loomi and bring the mixture to a boil. Once the liquid is boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. § Remove the tea from the heat and strain it through a cheesecloth or coffee filter-lined fine mesh sieve and into a kettle or teapot. § Add the honey to the tea. Stir and serve hot.

Method: § Using a mortar and pestle, crush the dried loomi, breaking them into pieces. (Source: www.tastemade.com)

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

045

&

FOOD DRINK

Tr e n d

New Restaurant

REVIEWS

ge

an R p To

Info Box

BUKHARA Lower level, Kempinski Hotel Muscat, Al Mouj Opening hours: 12:30 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. (lunch) 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. (dinner) Contact: (+968) 2948-5000 Dinner for three: RO91.9

Verdict : 9/10 SERVICE 9/10 FOOD 9/10 AMBIENCE

Accessible North Indian fine-dining with a focus on tandoori preparation and exquisite use of spice

Y Magazine reviews anonymously and pays for its meals

BUKHARA

THE RICH FLAVOUR AND DEEP CULINARY TRADITIONS OF NORTH INDIA COME ALIVE ON THE mango pickle more than make this royal dish PALATE AT THIS FIVE-STAR STANDOUT WHERE EATING WITH YOUR HANDS IS ENCOURAGED stand out. Holding their own alongside the biryani

P

assing through the ornate, fortress-like doors to enter Bukhara restaurant is a bit like stepping back in time into the private bastion of a Mughal raj. Cozy and cloistered, it’s intimate dining area with its bright upholstery, banquette and alcove seating areas is separated from the open showkitchen, where the scent of spices wafts, by gold ornamented decorations that hang like chimes.

Located on the lower level of the Kempinski Hotel Muscat’s sumptuous dining Boulevard, Bukhara heroes the culinary tradition of North India through an extensive menu that boasts everything from the smoky depths of its coalbraised dals, and succulent earthen tandoor, to an array of signature specialties that tempt the olfactory senses with their delicate yet rich blend of spices.

A small yet comfortable outdoor terrace gives way off the main dining room – a gorgeous spot to luxuriate during the cooler months. But this evening we’re seated in their main dining area, with its plump chairs and saffron-hued, handstenciled accent wall. The staff is both attentive, yet discreet, bringing us tumblers of pink rosemilk as a welcome drink to refresh us for the meal ahead.

Quick to offer up recommendations on their best picks off the expansive menu, our wait-staff conscientiously enquires about any food allergies before heading off with our order stub. Here at Bukhara, in keeping with the restaurant’s commitment to authenticity and tradition, diners

046

JUL 11 - 17 / ISSUE 576

are welcomed to eat with their hands as per the Indian custom, with aprons being provided to thwart any spills.

First up we begin with a round of veg and non-veg hot starters. There’s the turmeric-stained cubes of their Paneer Tikka Sunehri – spiced yogurt-marinated cottage cheese baked in their tandoor oven, and delicately light yet piping-hot Bharwan Aloo Tikka, potato patties filled with cheese, peas, and deep rich masala. Both are flavoursome and whet the appetite nicely for what’s to come, though the patties are little heavier on the salted side than we would have expected.

The star of the starter course is a portion of Bukhara’s signature Bhatti Ka Lobster, a rich and moreish grilled Omani lobster imbued with a smoky essence from the tandoori oven and tossed with a lush mélange of aromatics, cooling yogurt, garlic, and fresh Indian herbs. Absolutely decadent its sweet morsels are in perfect balance with its smoked essence and we cannot devour it fast enough.

The fire in our bellies just heating up, our mains are next to arrive – a luscious prawn biryani presented in a copper tureen and encased in a delicate layer of roti so as to retain moisture and the flavour of luscious saffron and Awadhi spice blends. The prawns are plump and rich with depth of flavour. We dig in with our hands, tearing hot morsels of bread from the luscious basket of warm rotis, garlic cheese naan, and parathas placed on the centre of the table.

Rare is the case that the accompaniments are just as good the main itself, but the cooling bowls of raita, sweet pickled beetroot and puckering

are piping hot bowls of Rogan-e-Nishat – meltin-your mouth braised lamb chops bathed in a heady mixture of yogurt, tomatoes, onions, and Kashmiri chilis enough to satisfy the spice-lover at the table.

We also sample a portion of their signature smoky Dal Bukhara, a deep bowl of coal-braised black lentils stewed in tomato, ginger, garlic and butter and served with a swirl of cool cream.

There aren’t enough rotis in the basket to lap up this savoury stew – the ultimate Indian comfort food.

We wash down our meal with cooling cups of revitalizing lemon juice mixed with fresh jeera (cumin) seeds – a known digestive aid, making one last final bit of room for a spoonful each of Bukhara’s Mahi Kalia, succulently-braised kingfish filets, swimming in a rich gravy of white mustard and onion seeds, tomato, and ginger-chili sauce.

The flavour is delicate and delicious and the aroma pungent.

We finish what has been hands-down one of our top Indian fine-dining experiences with a traditional pudding of Rasmalai, a Bengali dessert best described as a rich cheesecake drizzled in a thick coating of sweet, saffron-infused milk, and piping cups of chai. A meal fit for royalty in an outlet and ambience comfortable to all, Bukhara is a jewel in the crown of Muscat’s Indian foodie scene. ■ Do you have a favourite restaurant that you’d like to see reviewed? Let Y know at editor@y-oman.com.

50

GB