Expat social worker helps repatriate 100 prisoners
His initiative was sparked by the Omani Lawyers Association's Fak-kurba campaign, which funds the release of Omani inmates.
'These prisoners are victims of circumstances, not hardened criminals,' Bukhari says. Though he operates without a formal fundraising mechanism or organizational backing, he relies on social media and generous donors to secure tickets. When needed, he even covers the cost himself, with support from family and friends. A recipient of the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award and the Outstanding Citizen of Pakistan award, Bukhari continues his mission, urging expatriate communities in Oman to support such humanitarian causes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
an hour ago
- Observer
Oman-Zanzibar: A bond rooted in history, purpose
The relationship between Oman and East Africa dates back centuries, shrouded in the mists of time. While the precise origins remain elusive, we know that during the early Islamic period — specifically in the 7th century — Omani princes Suleiman and Said, sons of Abbad bin Abd bin Al Julanda, sought refuge along the East African coast following the Umayyad conquest of Oman. Yet this article does not seek to recount history already well-trodden by scholars, journalists and explorers. Indeed, libraries and online archives brim with pages detailing Oman's ties with East Africa. Instead, I wish to explore what this relationship could and should look like today — particularly with Zanzibar, now a semi-autonomous region of the United Republic of Tanzania, to which many Omanis remain connected through cultural, familial and economic ties. It is important at the outset to affirm a simple but essential point: Zanzibar is an integral part of Tanzania. Any engagement must respect this political reality, lest ambiguities undermine Oman's constructive relations with the Tanzanian state as a whole. Historically, relations between nations have rested on three pillars: mutual interests (by far the most common), ideological alignment (as during the Cold War), or shared moral and human values — such as the promotion of peace, justice and human rights. In today's complex world, especially in the post-Trump era, these foundations are being re-evaluated. For Oman's part, I believe our relationship with Zanzibar and Tanzania should be built on two complementary principles: ethical responsibility and mutual interest — in equal measure. This is not to suggest idealism for its own sake. Oman is among the few countries that still attaches real weight to moral and humanitarian values in its foreign policy. This tradition of diplomacy grounded in principle should be at the forefront of our engagement with Tanzania — not only because it is consistent with our national ethos, but also because it is politically and diplomatically sound. Some may argue that pragmatism demands interests come first. But Oman's connection with Zanzibar is not an ordinary one. It is underpinned by a unique historical legacy — one that calls not only for investment but also for stewardship. To understand why, we must revisit a formative episode in our shared past. In the 1830s, Sultan Said bin Sultan shifted his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar, largely for economic reasons. Under his rule, trade between Oman and East Africa flourished. Zanzibar became a hub of commerce, and Oman's revenues — from customs duties and agricultural exports — soared. Though Muscat, Gwadar and Bandar Abbas also contributed to the national economy, it was East Africa, and Zanzibar in particular, that underpinned Oman's prosperity during this period. When the Sultan died, internal disputes among his heirs over succession led to the fragmentation of the empire. Oman's revenues fell sharply, and this economic downturn destabilised the political and social fabric of the country. Eventually, Sultan Said's sons reached a settlement to divide the empire. As part of the agreement, Zanzibar committed to an annual financial grant of 40,000 Maria Theresa thalers to Oman — a gesture known historically as the 'Zanzibar Subsidy". This subsidy continued for many years and was funded not through external income, but through Zanzibar's own domestic revenues — customs duties, local taxation, and low-wage labour in plantations and ports. This history matters. It is a powerful reminder that Oman's legacy in Zanzibar is not one of exploitation, but of deep economic and human engagement. For that reason, any modern relationship must be rooted in the values of fairness, historical responsibility and shared prosperity. The second pillar, of course, is mutual interest. Oman has already invested significantly in preserving Zanzibar's heritage and supporting its infrastructure. Omani citizens continue to maintain economic ties with the region — in real estate, tourism and other sectors. These efforts should be scaled up and supported by encouraging private investment and charitable engagement through Omani civil society and philanthropic foundations. A deeper, more structured partnership with Zanzibar would also serve to guard against attempts by others to sideline Oman's historical role in the region. To achieve this, Oman should consider launching a long-term, well-governed development initiative with clearly defined short-, medium- and long-term goals. The focus should be on areas that make a tangible difference: basic and vocational education, primary healthcare and public health, affordable housing and critical infrastructure — especially roads, which require urgent improvement in both urban and rural areas. Understandably, concerns may arise regarding Zanzibar's institutional capacity to manage such a programme. These concerns are legitimate and should be addressed through close coordination with the Zanzibar's government. Oman should retain an active management role, working in partnership to set priorities and ensure resources are used effectively. Ultimately, the scale or format of such a programme matters less than the principle behind it. Politically and diplomatically, it is in Oman's interest to take the lead in fostering sustainable development in Zanzibar. We must not allow this region — so closely tied to Oman by blood, history and mutual reliance — to become a space where past grievances fester or future rivalries take root. In a world increasingly shaped by transactional diplomacy, Oman's enduring connection with Zanzibar stands as a reminder that international relations can still be guided by history, honour and humanity.
Times of Oman
2 hours ago
- Times of Oman
National Defence College celebrates graduation of 12th cohort
Muscat: The Academy for Strategic and Defence Studies on Tuesday celebrated the graduation of the 12th cohort of the National Defence College. The cohort included senior officers from the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) and other military and security units, alongside officials from various ministries, authorities, government institutions, and civil entities. The ceremony was held under the patronage of Dr. Said Mohammed Al Saqri, Minister of Economy, and was attended by Major General Hamid Ahmed Sakroon, Chairman of the Academy for Strategic and Defence Studies. During the event, a visual presentation highlighted the course's comprehensive curriculum, practical applications, relevant study visits, and lectures and seminars delivered by specialists and decision-makers. Following the presentation, the Minister of Economy distributed certificates to the graduating participants. The graduation ceremony saw the attendance of several official, commanders of the Sultan's Armed Forces and military and security units, members of the State Council, senior officers from the Sultan's Armed Forces and other military and security units, a gathering of retired senior officers, and members of the college's steering committee.
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Oman and Türkiye sign strategic energy past
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Türkiye have taken a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties with the signing of a wide-ranging Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the energy sector. The agreement, formalised in Muscat, aims to bolster technical collaboration, enhance investment flows and support both nations' transition to sustainable energy systems. The MoU was signed by Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, on behalf of the Omani government and Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Republic of Türkiye. The agreement covers several strategic areas of cooperation, including oil and gas exploration, trade in liquefied natural gas (LNG), renewable energy development, energy efficiency and alternative fuels. Key provisions also focus on advancing joint projects in green hydrogen production and carbon capture technologies — critical elements in the global push towards decarbonisation. Under the MoU, both parties have committed to sharing technical expertise and policy experience, developing regulatory frameworks to enhance energy efficiency and exploring innovative technologies and financing mechanisms for clean energy infrastructure. The agreement also encourages the organisation of technical seminars and joint events, fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange. Minister Al Aufi described the agreement as a testament to the deep-rooted strategic partnership between Oman and Türkiye. He emphasised that this cooperation would contribute to Oman's national goals of energy diversification and carbon neutrality while solidifying the Sultanate of Oman's role as a regional energy hub. 'This memorandum represents a key milestone in Oman's road map to energy transformation. It will pave the way for impactful partnerships, especially in renewable energy, carbon capture and green hydrogen — areas that are central to our long-term energy strategy', said Al Aufi. He also reaffirmed Oman's commitment to fostering international cooperation that supports sustainable development, facilitates investment and promotes the transfer of knowledge and innovative solutions. Echoing these sentiments, Minister Bayraktar noted that the MoU will enhance bilateral cooperation across multiple facets of the energy sector. He highlighted Türkiye's interest in Oman's extensive oil and gas resources and pointed to opportunities for joint exploration projects. He also stressed the potential for collaboration in electricity generation from renewable sources, power transmission and market liberalisation. Bayraktar further recalled the long-term agreement signed in 2022 to supply Omani LNG to Türkiye, expressing his desire to expand volumes and deepen cooperation in this domain. 'We see Oman as a reliable partner in energy supply and we aim to elevate our relationship to a more strategic level', he stated. Both ministers agreed that the MoU opens promising new horizons for economic integration, energy security and sustainability. It also reflects the broader diplomatic will of the two nations to work closely on pressing global issues such as climate change and energy transition. This agreement is expected to not only enhance trade volumes in the energy sector but also act as a catalyst for innovation and investment across both economies. — ONA
