Friday, March 25, 2011

A New Oman

Published Tuesday March 15, 2011
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Believe it or not, the peaceful sit-in that started in Salalah on February 25th is still happening. Every morning for the past three weeks, I've had to drive through throngs of sleeping protesters and placards demanding an end to corruption in order to get to my office. Meanwhile, a plethora of smaller peaceful protests have erupted at many major institutions in Salalah including the university and colleges. As for the rest of Oman, every major organization seems to be on strike, and everyday I hear of yet another sit-in happening at some ministry or other. Many of the demands seem perfectly logical to me, while others completely contradict the idea of a 'new' Oman. The protest situation may have gotten a little out of hand, but who can blame us? For the first time in decades, we've been allowed to criticize the way this country is run. Discovering that the government will tolerate our protests is unbelievable, but I suppose with recent events in the Middle East they have no other choice. Once the thrill of staging protests wears off, hopefully things will calm down… but then what?
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.Oman's 'revolution' (the only possible word that can describe the situation) is all anyone talks about these days. Everyday more Royal decrees are issued announcing jobs, benefits, and wage increases. A dozen ministers have been replaced, committees have been set up, and new policies are being formulated. His Majesty's response to the voice of the people has been remarkable. It may be hard to outsiders to understand the deep respect that Omanis have for him but rest assured that we do genuinely love our Sultan. Our loyalty is not part of any government choreography as may have been the case in other Middle Eastern nations. He has undoubtedly guided our country wisely, and the past 40 years have been extremely prosperous for Oman.
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However, it's time for reform; and by reform, I do not just mean the government. Omanis believe that His Majesty can transform this country from its present state into a democratic country, but I can't help wondering if Omanis are ready? With freedom comes responsibility. We as individuals have to start by slowly changing our lifestyle, attitude towards work, and start taking responsibility for our own lives. We've gotten used to being spoon-fed by our paternalistic government for the past four decades and this has resulted in us expecting the government to solve all our problems. Many Omanis are either too proud or too lazy to take on menial jobs. I'm against issuing a monthly allowance for the unemployed, and I'm also against forgiving all private debts and housing loans. Most Omanis are in debt over huge mansions and fancy cars that they don't even need. We have to start living at our own level of income. If we want the government to help us, we have to help ourselves first. Omanis are not the most hard-working people on earth. We've been spoiled for too long.
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Problems aside, I feel the need to echo fellow columnist Riyadh's sentiments; the greatest achievement so far has been freedom of speech. That in itself makes every protest worthwhile. In the past few weeks we've broken boundaries that many of us never knew existed. The fact that I’m able to write these very words today is incredible. For the past 18 months I have been practicing self censorship with every column that gets published. The rules are unwritten, but we all understand them. For years, media publications in this country had no credibility, and Omanis would head to internet forums for 'real' news. Quite often, websites revealing such news would be inaccessible. In recent weeks, however, Facebook groups covering the protests have not been blocked, nor have the endless discussions on local blogs and internet forums. Twitter is on fire and the hundreds of videos uploaded onto YouTube are accessible to all. This newfound freedom of expression is exhilarating.
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There's no denying the fact that we've had 40 prosperous years. The old system definitely had its virtues, but that era is over now. As a nation I think we're ready now to open new page and try something different. These have truly been significant times here in the Sultanate and the major changes aren't even over yet. This is just the tip of the iceberg. As a young Omani woman, I don't know how to react to these changes or what to think. In fact, I don't think anyone knows really. The only thing I know for sure is that Oman will never be the same again, and it sure is exciting to be here to witness it!

17 comments:

  1. Here some people are behind democracy, am from largest democratic country India where we can see the biggest corruption througout the ministries....

    Comparing to the democratic country in the world Oman is far better.

    You are right in your words... Firstly revolution should be come in each one, we should learn and work... Than everything will change. getting unemployment allowance and sitting home, that life is worthless...

    Please look to India, There we are not getting any help from government to study or search job. And by hardwork many of them are well educated but after getting degrees also we are not getting jobs and also we are not waiting for jobs to come... We will start to search jobs from one country to another... and atlast we will achieve it....

    But in middle east if you learn and get an degree in your hand and if you are willing to work there are lot of oppertunities in your country itself...

    Make Revolution through learning... Islam always asks people to study and learn..

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  2. An exceptionally lucid view of events. Thank you.
    The vital place of the education sector in preparing the nation for these new freedoms is especially striking. I agree with sha005 that learning is the foundation.
    As to freedom of speech, it is good to remember that sometimes the greatest restrictions are imposed not by law, but by society or self. Exploring and transcending those restraints will be a whole new adventure for young Omanis!

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  3. The world follows the west, although it might not be the best. I agree with the fellow commentor sha005 who has asked to look at india and what real democracy is, "They say you don't know its worth unless you lose it". People in middle east are asking for democracy and change in the present system, however i strongly feel in moderate arab states like UAE, OMAN, QATAR there is actually no need for this transformation. The rulers of these nations have done a lot of their countrymen, privileges in form of free housing, education, healthcare are alien to democratic nations, We in india have to feed the corrupt governments in the form of taxes, pay through the noses for good education, healthcare and other social benefits. "I must say people of OMAN should say Alhamdullilah, thank ALLAH for what he has bestowed and make the best use of what they have. Before taking protests to the streets, Protests should take place in one ownself first, protest should be against the negative forces holding back the youth to strive for excellance. Protests should be against the whispers of shayateen, Protests should be there by head of families by not giving in to the demands of children and mentor them earn for it from an early age. My dear brothers and sisters of Oman, yours is a beautiful country, with one the finest human beings i have met, please unite to show loyalty to salt and not against it. Yours is a great leader, Please don't let the west and other envious nations make mockery of your country. Remember expats never take your jobs, for them any foreign country is like a stopover, just like it is for you, its not a destination. If there are here in your country they are decreed by God Almighty. I would like to quote a verse from holy Quran: Chapter (31) sūrat luq'mān Indeed, Allah [alone] has knowledge of the Hour and sends down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. And no soul perceives what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul perceives in what land it will die. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

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  6. First of all we shouldn't compare a country of one billion people to a country of not even two million you fellow commenters.

    Secondly,every Omani person has the right to demand whatever he or she wants and the government must listen to their demands begins from banking loans to higher salaries because all the equation has built by sucking citizens' blood making profits by lending them money making profits by monopolizing air lines company telecommunication companies and so on!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you know the owners of these commercial banks?
    The owner of Omani air line company? BOTH GOVERNMENT AND MINISTERS

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  8. Indians should go home because once they get into these corporations, they create a mafia and make these Equal Opportuity Employers "Unequal opportunites employers" and only recruit indian slumdogs. these slumdogs are better off in there indian slums.

    Sooner or later the higher ups will realize this anyway

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  9. This message should be delivered to the Higher-ups that we competent omanis want to take these positions currently occupied by Indians.

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  12. hI DEAR Anonymous,

    Why you are only looking Indians??? do you knw one thing, Where Indians are sitting only 1% are sitting in higher positions and 99% are working hard to get penny.... what about Americans and UK???
    If Indians or Indian subcontinent people leave from Oman... what will be the future??? roads, infastructure who will use it..??? Indians are not taking money from here... ther are working and serving country best....

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  13. HM should be told about our sentiments about the indians occupying most of the positions in big companies especially CEO and HR managers positions, if in salalah then he should look into Dhofar Power and Omantel especially

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  15. Why all the deleted comments?

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  16. Salam ya Susan,
    I miss your articles. I hope to see a new blog post soon.

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  17. Oman isn't gonna survive without Indians..Omanis may hate Indians but It's gonna do you no good cuz you know what? your malls, hotels, restaurants and your tourist parks and infrastructure are all used chiefly by the Indian community! send us back home and you'll see how Oman bears the brunt and the economy comes to a total stall! all the best! continue hating us!

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