Hundreds of Omanis demonstrated alongside Palestinian expatriates in Muscat’s embassy district on Thursday, demanding foreign governments stand with Palestine.
Chants in English and Arabic of "Israel stop killing Palestinians" and "Palestinians have rights, too" could be heard during the three-hour demonstration, a rare occurrence in the sultanate.
Other demonstrators carried placards reading: “Free Palestine” and “Stop killing Palestinian children”.
The group walked from one end of the foreign embassies area in the east of the capital to the other, stopping at each diplomatic building to shout slogans.
Protesters told The National they wanted foreign governments to act to defend Gaza, where at least 230 people – including 65 children – have been killed since rocket fire by Palestinian militant factions and the Israeli military began on May 10.
Ten people have been killed in Israel by rockets, including two children, with 115 wounded.
"The ambassadors of these foreign embassies must put pressure on Israel to stop attacking Gaza instead of using just the lip service. They have a humanitarian duty to use their diplomatic ties with Israel to make them stop the violence," said Salim Al Raisi, 27, an Omani who took part in the demonstration.
“We are making the most noise at the US embassy because America has the power to stop Israel from this aggression. Palestinians have rights, too, not just Israelis. It should not be one side that has to follow the rules and regulations,” said Ali Al Hinai, 43, another Omani demonstrator.
“It is about time the US put genuine pressure to stop violence and give Palestinians their legitimate right.”
On Wednesday, four rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel and Israel's military responded by firing artillery shells at "a number of targets in Lebanese territory".
A Palestinian embassy spokesman said that it “was gratifying” to see a show of solidarity from Omanis in the demonstration.
"We are emotionally moved and very grateful to see so many Omanis here demonstrating against Israel for Palestine's rights. God bless them all in this moving show of solidarity," he told The National.
Omani police were watching on the sides but did not intervene in the three-hour peaceful demonstration.
Oman has long had ties with Israel and in 2018, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to the sultanate to meet Sultan Qaboos and top Omani officials.
After several Arab states normalised relations with Israel last year, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi said in February, “we are content so far with the level of our current relations and dialogue, which involves the appropriate channels of communication”.
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
RESULTS
5pm: Watha Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Dalil De Carrere, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Mohamed Daggash (trainer)
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Winner: Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
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Winner: Pharitz Al Denari, Bernardo Pinheiro, Mahmood Hussain
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Winner: AF Almajhaz, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
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Winner: AF Lewaa, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qaiss Aboud.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
List of officials:
Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.
Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
Specs
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Haltia.ai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Arto%20Bendiken%20and%20Talal%20Thabet%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241.7%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self%2C%20family%20and%20friends%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
