Published Monday February 28th, 2011
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On most days my office windows look out onto beautiful mountains, palm trees, pretty government buildings, and quiet Salalah traffic. This week, however, the view is a little more interesting. It includes protesters, banners, tents and police vehicles.
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A few weeks ago I would have laughed off the mere thought of an uprising in Oman, let alone the peaceful town where I live. Nonetheless, on Friday hundreds of protesters marched from the Grand Mosque in Salalah to the central area of town where most government offices are.
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Banners with clear demands were plastered to the gates of the Minister of State's headquarters and the protesters set up camp for the night opposite the gates. It has been four days already and from what I can see it doesn't look like they're going anywhere soon. Not only have they increased in numbers, but they've actually set up one of the most organized protest camps I have ever seen. The quiet collection of donations and the distribution system for food and water is something to be admired. When I drove by last night, the protesters were sitting in groups, talking quietly.
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So what is it that they want? Well, some of the demands seem perfectly realistic and feasible to me, whereas others may seem a little ambitious for the time being (canceling all personal and housing loans?). First and foremost, protesters are demanding an end to administrative and financial corruption in the government and private sector. Believe it or not, Omanis finally want to crack down on wasta (influence). I never thought I'd see the day.
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Other major demands include the need for more jobs, higher wages, and lower prices for basic commodities such as water and electricity. Do I blame them? No. I live a comfortable life but all around me I see people who live from paycheque to paycheque. Most people I know are in debt, and by the end of the month many of them don't have money to even buy petrol or groceries. Countless young people I know with university degrees are unable to find employment anywhere. Other demands include better healthcare and a complete revamp of the public schooling system. The list has been posted on every local internet forum and is being sent around in the form of emails and SMS.
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Before getting all excited about the protest drama, I find it's extremely important to make a clear distinction between the situation in Oman and recent events that have taken the Middle East by storm. We cannot in any way compare ourselves to the people of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. It's completely irrelevant. Omanis have much to be thankful for. We live in peaceful country which has come a long way since His Majesty took over 40 years ago and we are truly blessed. With these current protests, Omanis are simply demanding changes to a few government policies.
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The exaggeration I've seen in the international media regarding the protests in Oman is uncalled for. Simply put, Omanis are peaceful people who have recently discovered that protests actually work. Does that mean our protesters should become violent? No. Should we drop everything and go out into the streets? Absolutely not!
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I'm a young Omani woman with very little experience in politics or anything of the sort, but I do know one thing; if we establish clear goals and collectively work towards them, they can be achieved. I'm hoping Oman can become a shining example of how protests should end up; in a win-win situation. We can't demand an end to government corruption unless we as individuals stop depending on wasta ourselves on a much smaller scale. We cannot demand more jobs unless we prove that we are willing to really go out and work. There are definitely jobs out there but in many cases Omanis are too proud to go out and become shopkeepers or join other occupations which they consider to be beneath them. The age of comfortable office jobs for everyone is over.
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Oman is not a huge country with an overwhelming population. With less than two million citizens, it's definitely possible to work together in order to make positive changes. If we have the right attitude, change can happen. It'll be interesting to see how the situation unfolds, but deep inside me I hope Omanis realize that by being proactive, lots can be achieved. Fingers crossed.
Thank you for a clear and level-headed, Oman-based perspective. This post deserves serious online traction to clarify misperceptions that are brewing abroad. If Oman can pull this off peacefully and justly, that will be an example for the Middle East and true cause for celebration.
ReplyDeletevery nice post. Hope every one in this beautiful country understands this.
ReplyDeleteThis is a clear and balanced perspective. I feel Oman is a very special and peaceful place. Wish the media presented a more "as it is" report and avoided sensationalism. This article is true to the spirit of the Oman that I know. I have been visiting Oman for work and pleasure since 2004. I wish the best comes in the right way for my Omani friends.
ReplyDeleteLaith
Thank you for a clear perspective on what is happening in Oman ... I hope things are ironed out quickly and everyone is happy again.
ReplyDeleteWell written Susan, you are absolutely right, One should never draw comparisions with what is happening in other volatile arab states. It is appalling to see protestors burning lulu supermarket in sohar. Very unfortunate for Mr. Yosuf Ali who had just inaugurated the hypermarket in Salalah 3 days ago. Voilence in Oman is soooo not Oman, I am afraid protestors are failing to see the growth this country has seen over the years. Oman is a wondeful country and according to me Omani's are one of the most tolerant arabs i have seen. I only hope sanity is restored to this region. May Allah bestow peace on oman and its people and protect it from evil eye.
ReplyDeletecrystal clear perspective. well done
ReplyDeletethe Oman is the best developed and also maximum freedom country for the ALL Arabic world, everybody have economic problems now, however even in that Oman have better situation. And the only one revolution Oman may required is a SEXUAL Revolution... everything else is very fine in Oman
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing clarity about the situtation in Oman.
ReplyDeleteWell Said. First of all, the current scenario can never be termed as 'unrest'. Media is under a total perception error regarding the happenings in Oman and they wrongly draw parallels with what happens in Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain etc. The commotion can not even be termed as 'copy cat' phenomenon with similarities to the troubled neighbours, because from your words Susan, most of the demands are practically genuine to which the government has responded positively and empathetically. Such 'loudspeaker' systems in the form of demonstrations to governments happen across the globe everyday, in the US, in the UK, in India, in France, in Germany, in Italy.. everywhere.. Yourself being a journalist what do you think as the reason why the media is eager to connect Sohar incident with particularly what happens in other parts of the Middle East region? What prevents them to relate it with European or Western or Indian protests for changes within their system?
ReplyDeleteeverybody should read this..great job susan..
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteWell done! A MUST READ for all.
Smallworld,
The media wants to connect the Sohar incident with other parts of the ME because there was a rumor a couple days ago that the Sohar protesters were paid by a neighboring country to stage protests. Do you think the neighboring country possibly has their eyes on controlling the Strait of Hormuz?!
That was a great post! And a very level-headed analysis of the situation.
ReplyDeleteI am an Indian, who lived and studied in Oman until my tenth grade. And it was highly disturbing for me to wake up one day and see a lot of reports on Twitter, on protests in Oman. At first, I was appalled that people were revolting against Sultan Qaboos bin Said, whom I always respected as a wise ruler. Then I realised the protests were against corruption and the protesters were calling for changes in the system.
Some of the demands do seem to tend towards ludicrous but as you rightly pointed out, if youngsters are willing to work hard, change is inevitable.
Great post Susan. I lived in Ibra, Sharqiya 2004-2007, teaching at the Technology College and was wondering how the Egypt story would impact the Omanis. Wasta was rife when I lived there and it's depth and scope was hard for me, as a Westerner, understand. I think a lot of people's lives would be better if they didn't have to deal with this invisible yet very real force. It seems that the protesters have identified what is wrong with the system. However, I think you made an excellent point about how need to willing to accept a range of jobs in order for more people to be in gainful employment. Most of the students I asked said they wanted to be a "businessman/woman", yet were unable to expand on which sector, what they thought they could offer a company, etc. Status is obviously very important in Omani culture.
ReplyDeleteI hope things work out for the people and things remain peaceful.
Thanks for providing a view into what is happening in Oman, I've only seen in in the mainstream media once, because the Queen visited!!
P.S. You are the only Omani named Susan I have come across :)
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteThis was a very very well balanced and well thought out piece. Am reposting it on Muscat Daily's facebook fansite for those who may not have seen it here or in print
http://www.facebook.com/muscatdaily/posts/171219459591873?notif_t=share_comment#!/muscatdaily
George
"...all around me I see people who live from paycheque to paycheque. Most people I know are in debt, and by the end of the month many of them don't have money to even buy petrol or groceries. Countless young people I know with university degrees are unable to find employment anywhere. Other demands include better healthcare and a complete revamp of the public schooling system. "
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this, it looks like we should protest in Canada as well...
Phil, Quebec, Canada
from www.muscatmutterings.com
ReplyDeleteThe names of the corrupt officer in Ministry of Health is Mr.Ali AKA Dr.Ali ,some one from the higher authorities or ISS should visit his home and it is sure that they can understand where the money for Minsitry of Healt Project is vanishing.The office name in Civil Defence is Harib.
All these days they were very powerful and influential but from here on this will the end for corruption in Oman and these money launderers will be dismissed immedietly by HM for sure
The names of the corrupt officer in Ministry of Health is Mr.Ali AKA Dr.Ali ,some one from the higher authorities or ISS should visit his home and it is sure that they can understand where the money for Minsitry of Healt Project is vanishing.The office name in Civil Defence is Harib.
ReplyDeleteAll these days they were very powerful and influential but from here on this will the end for corruption in Oman and these money launderers will be dismissed immedietly by HM for sure
Hi Susan, Thanks for your so very sane column! When the middle east seems at times about to explode, it's reassuring to read that Oman remains reasonable, an oasis where problems can be solved without violence, in a civilized way. Thanks again. MJW Winnipeg, Canada
ReplyDeletehi
ReplyDeletevery nice prefect thank you for this post
Thank you for your blog.
ReplyDeleteOutside Oman, even those of us living in the Near East, wonder whether this unrest may be Iranian inspired.
Oman, for an outsider, is billed as one of the most benign monarchies - absolute but fair - so there is a suspicion that indigenous protests are meant to destabilize.
Why? The deep-water channel off the coast of Oman -where all crude oil carrying vessels must use within Omani territorial waters.
Many of us think long and hard about who wants control over the Strait of Hormuz (Maḍīq Hurmuz / Tangeh-ye Hormoz) and, in particular, Musandam, Oman's exclave?
harry@6e.gg
Thanks for your clear reporting. Having lived over a decade in the Sultanate, my family and I keep a deep affection for the country. (You're not the first Omani I've met named Susan, but they usually pronounced it Sawsan).
ReplyDeleteI agree with your sense of wonder that people are calling for an end to wasta. However, the alternative to a system of patronage where favors are dispensed and the people are treated like children requires that people act like adults. This means recognizing that there are things a wise ruler can change, like corruption (though never completely) and things that are simply out of any ruler's hands, such as world commodity prices. The real incomes of very many people in the world are falling. Globally, we're facing the limits of what governments (even the most powerful) can do to deal with this problem. They can't just make money appear magically, but that seems to be some people's expectation. Instead of saying, "What can you do?" as an expression of hopelessness, we need to ask, "What can we do?" in a manner that seeks the answer to the question, bravely and truthfully. I have met many brave and true Omanis. May God give us all the wisdom to listen to the answers, then the strength to apply ourselves to helping our neighbors right around us. Great trees can grow from tiny seeds.
Dear Susan
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy reading your columns and love them. Well done Susan. As I can see you have a beautiful mind that pleases readers in/out side Oman. Such beautiful mind with a very rich rhetoric can definitely find much wonderful words that suit our religious society and culture other than ‘’Fingers crossed’’!. I wish you review these words and reconsider my comment in the future.
Many great thanks
Petty comment, but thanks for passing by!
ReplyDeleteAssalamou alykoum wa RahmtAllah,
ReplyDeleteMy dear brother,
I am Tunisian and I found a video of the protest In Salalah and I really liked it.
Why?
Because people seems to be very organised.
Because there was thousands of people.
Because there was very nice slogans.
Because I saw Palestinian flags everywhere(you forgot to talk about this).
Because people there look very traditional and that's what we are lacking in Tunisia(we are imitating the west too much).
So I hope that these protesters will get what they want insh Allah.
Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85ZctSDlGzk&feature=related