Latest news with #Omanis'
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Fanja Heritage House: A legacy bridging authenticity and modernity
BIDBID: In a historical corner where ancestral heritage and the echoes of the past intertwine, an ancient house stands as a witness to time, transforming into a vibrant economic project that harmonises tradition with modernity, heritage with investment. Located in the village of Fanja in Bidbid, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, Fanja Heritage House revives the spirit of a decades-old ancestral home, now repurposed as both a heritage museum and a boutique guesthouse. It attracts visitors from across Oman, offering an escape from urban bustle and an ideal retreat for families and friends. This project exemplifies how cultural identity can be leveraged to serve sustainable development. Saif bin Nasser al Rawahi, a photographer and the project's owner, has infused this unique initiative with artistic and innovative touches. He explains that the house belonged to his family for nearly 40 years before being converted into a tourist destination two years ago. The heritage house comprises three sections: A cafe serving diverse Omani cuisine, surrounded by seating areas scattered throughout the property; an exploration zone where visitors wander through the house's nooks, encountering animals and lush greenery along stairways and bridges leading to Fanja Valley's terrace; and a guesthouse for those seeking an overnight stay immersed in heritage. Thanks to its seamless blend of nature and Omani heritage, the site has welcomed 160,000 visitors from over 63 countries as of May 2025. This success reflects both Omani youth's innovative spirit and tourists' eagerness to explore the region's ancient environments amid Oman's rapid modernisation. The heritage exhibition is divided into three sections: Traditional Omani attire, showcasing cultural diversity; artefacts, including woodwork, palm-frond crafts, silverware and jewellery; and photographs capturing Oman's unique cultural landscapes, customs and folk heritage. Al Rawahi highlighted the guesthouse's distinctive architecture, where water channels weave through its facilities, creating a serene aesthetic that underscores Omanis' mastery of traditional construction techniques. Fanja Heritage House stands as a testament to Oman's ability to honour its past while embracing the future — a model of cultural preservation driving sustainable tourism. - ONA
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Fanja Heritage House: Authenticity blending with modernity
Bidbid - In a historical corner where ancestral heritage and the echoes of the past intertwine, an ancient house stands as a witness to time, transforming into a vibrant economic project that harmonizes tradition with modernity, heritage with investment. Located in the village of Fanja in Bidbid, A'Dakhiliyah Governorate, Fanja Heritage House revives the spirit of a decades-old ancestral home, now repurposed as both a heritage museum and a boutique guesthouse. It attracts visitors from across Oman, offering an escape from urban bustle and an ideal retreat for families and friends. This project exemplifies how cultural identity can be leveraged to serve sustainable development. Saif Nasser al Rawahi, a photographer and the project's owner, has infused this unique initiative with artistic and innovative touches. He explains that the house belonged to his family for nearly 40 years before being converted into a tourist destination two years ago, contributing to local tourism and the economy of Bidbid at large. The heritage house comprises three sections: A Café serving diverse Omani cuisine, surrounded by seating areas scattered throughout the property; An Exploration Zone where visitors wander through the house's nooks, encountering animals and lush greenery along stairways and bridges leading to FanjaValley's terrace; A Guesthouse for those seeking an overnight stay immersed in heritage. The site has welcomed 160,000 visitors from over 63 countries as of May 2025. This success reflects both Omani youth's innovative spirit and tourists' eagerness to explore the region's ancient environments amid Oman's rapid modernization. The heritage exhibition is divided into three sections: Traditional Omani attire, showcasing cultural diversity; Artifacts, including woodwork, palm-frond crafts, silverware, and jewelry; and Photographs capturing Oman's unique cultural landscapes, customs, and folk heritage. Al Rawahi highlighted the guesthouse's distinctive architecture, where water channels weave through its facilities, creating a serene aesthetic that underscores Omanis' mastery of traditional construction techniques.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Time of India
Lucknow on alert as five Omani nationals found staying illegally at city hotel
Lucknow police and the Local Intelligence Bureau uncovered five Omani nationals staying illegally at a hotel in Gomtinagar during a surprise inspection on Thursday night. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India pulled the plug on IWT when Pakistanis are fighting over water What makes this India-Pakistan standoff more dangerous than past ones The problem of Pakistan couldn't have come at a worse time for D-St Following a tip-off, sub-inspectors Kanchan Tiwari, Anand Kumar, and Deepak Kumar Yadav inspected a hotel located in Virat Khand. The findings raised immediate security concerns. The police booked hotel owner Gaurav Kashyap and manager Adil for failing to inform authorities about the foreign guests, a violation of the Foreigners Act. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jaipur: The price (& size) of these hearing aids might surprise you Learn More Undo Details of the guests and suspicious behaviour At the time of the inspection, the Omanis were not present at the hotel. According to the police, they had developed a pattern of leaving early in the morning and returning late at night. Records revealed that Saleh Ali Masood Nasir Al-Rushaidi had been staying since 2 April. Mahmood Saleh Adeem Al-Ashi stayed between 19 and 22 April. Khamis Saleem Kharmas Al-Ghanboosi stayed initially from 14 to 15 April, then again from 17 April onwards. Saleem Khamis Saleem Al-Ghanboosi also checked in from 17 April. A fifth individual, Alnoud Ahmed Suleiman Al-Rahbi, had a photocopy of his passport submitted but his stay details were unclear. Live Events The hotel submitted photocopies of their passports but failed to provide valid explanations for the irregularities. Authorities suspect financial gain motivated the hotel's actions, violating mandatory reporting norms. Mandatory reporting violations Preliminary investigations revealed that the hotel did not notify the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Local Intelligence Unit (LIU), or even the local police about the Omanis' stay. Additional DCP, East Zone, Pankaj Kumar Singh, confirmed: 'An FIR has been lodged against Gaurav Kashyap and Adil at the Gomtinagar police station. Investigation is underway to ascertain the activities of the foreign nationals during their stay.' Meanwhile, the foreign nationals' travel documents have been seized for verification. A full intelligence probe has been initiated. Broader security context In response to the incident, authorities have intensified security checks at sensitive locations across Lucknow as a precaution. The discovery comes amid heightened security measures nationwide following recent terror-related concerns. Only days ago, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Lucknow, Babloo Kumar, informed reporters: "As per the Govt of India's instruction, among eight people who had come to India (from Pakistan) on a visa, five have been sent back. Rest three have been instructed to go back to Pakistan within today and tomorrow. We are keeping an eye on other people." He added that all eight Pakistani nationals had entered India on short-term visas: "All these eight people have come on a short-term visa," he said. Central government moves on foreign nationals Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been closely coordinating with state governments. He has urged all chief ministers to identify Pakistani nationals within their borders and ensure their prompt repatriation. The government has also announced the immediate cancellation of all types of visas issued to Pakistani citizens. These decisions were taken after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April, where militants attacked tourists at the Baisaran meadow. The attack claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen and left several injured.
Observer
06-02-2025
- General
- Observer
Opinion - Social media and myths about Omanis
Many people believe that social media has had a negative impact on Omani society, reinforcing harmful misconceptions and stereotypes. However, social media has actually played a vital role in helping Omanis challenge and dismantle these erroneous views. Misconceptions are mistaken notions or attitudes brought about by ignorance and misunderstanding. In a globalised world, such misconceptions can be particularly dangerous, fostering stereotypes that affect intercultural interactions and business relationships. Through my ongoing research into the nature and identity of modern Oman, I have identified two key misconceptions about Omani people that social media has helped address. Misconception 1: Omanis are naïve The perception of Omanis as naïve dates back to early portrayals, such as those found in the proverbs collected by A S Jayakar, an Indian diplomat in the 20th century. These proverbs painted Omanis as practical and hard-working but also as somewhat simple-minded and gullible. Over time, this stereotype has persisted, particularly among neighbouring countries, where Omanis are sometimes viewed as easily fooled or unsuitable for leadership positions due to their 'naïveté.' While Omanis may indeed be seen as naïve, this quality should be understood in a positive light. Omanis are not imprudent or gullible; rather, they are ingenuous and straightforward, leading lives guided by a deep sense of spirituality. This is best captured in the Omani mantra, 'All is well,' which reflects a philosophical approach to life. Omanis embrace this mindset daily, allowing them to remain composed and avoid unnecessary conflicts. Far from being simple-minded, Omanis' willingness to give others the benefit of the doubt stems from a profound spiritual grounding. They are deliberate and thoughtful individuals who act decisively when the moment calls for it. When Omanis speak or take action, they make an impact, demonstrating that their so-called 'naïveté' is, in fact, a form of wisdom. Misconception 2: Omanis are passive Another widespread misconception is that Omanis are passive, a belief rooted in their relatively low visibility on social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. This limited online presence has led to the erroneous conclusion that Omanis lack freedom of thought or initiative and that they are disengaged from national and global conversations. In reality, Omanis' reserved approach to social media reflects cultural values rather than passivity. Omanis, in collaboration with their government, prioritise handling issues privately and respectfully. Platforms like WhatsApp are often preferred for internal communication, allowing Omanis to address matters quietly and effectively. This characteristic aligns with the broader Omani ethos of tolerance and peace, values that are also embodied in the nation's foreign policies. Far from being passive or complacent, Omanis are intelligent and resourceful. Their quiet demeanour should not be mistaken for a lack of agency; rather, it is a deliberate choice to focus on what truly matters. Omanis are not easily influenced by trends or external pressures, embodying a calm strength that allows them to navigate challenges with dignity and resilience. The mindset of Omani people The defining trait of Omani people is their ability to maintain a balanced and grounded perspective on life. They value independence, simplicity, and finding joy in small things. Omanis do not dwell on minor inconveniences or take things personally; instead, they view life as an opportunity to grow and adapt. This mindset is reflected in their ability to 'make lemon juice out of lemons,' turning challenges into opportunities for growth. This is amply evident in their many actions on X and Instagram, where they come together to build community and foster positive change. Collectively, Omanis represent a spiritual character that celebrates the beauty of life in its simplicity and soulfulness. Social media has provided a platform for Omanis to share this unique perspective with the world, challenging misconceptions and showcasing their true nature. By embracing their values and using digital tools to communicate their stories, Omanis are proving that they are far from naïve or passive. On the contrary, they are resilient, thoughtful, creative and deeply connected to their cultural and spiritual roots — qualities that make them stand out in an increasingly complex world.
