Salalah Musings: Of Weekends, Sharks and Pantomimes
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: I’m really busy with academic commitments but there are some things in Dhofar that need to be written about
‘Cousin Marriage’ in Dhofar: Dangers Are Ignored
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: Its practice is still extremely common in the south of Oman. The obsession with keeping the tribe pure comes at a price though.
Salalah Dining: An Experience But For All the Wrong Reasons
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: Wa-hoo, McDonald’s has opened in Salalah. You’re in trouble if the the fast food eatery sets the standard in your home town.
The Royal Opera House Incident: One Woman’s View
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: At first there was peaceful protest but that soon turned violent. What is the significance of the Royal Opera House incident?
“We Should Celebrate Oman’s Cultural Diversity”
SUSAN ALSHAHRI: It’s little known that southern Oman has several indigent languages in addition to Arabic. With little support these are in danger of disappearing, however.
‘Time to Celebrate’ Oman’s Educational Transformation
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: The advances in Omani education over the past forty years are nothing short of miraculous.
Female Genital Mutilation: Still Major Issue in Oman
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: The last time I raised this issue publicly the reaction was overwhelming but ‘woman with the incense burner’ still prowls hospitals in Dhofar
Burqa Tradition Dies in Dhofar: Not Soon Enough
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: I’ve only worn a burqa once and that’s more than enough times. Its appearance in Dhofar is getting increasingly more rare.
The Mall Arrives: Is It The End of ‘Old’ Salalah?
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: A cinema, a decent cup of coffee, people watching – all great. So why does my heart sink at the arrival of Salalah’s first mall.
The Vacation: Throwing Off ‘Our Invisible Chains’
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: We sat on a beach and wondered ‘what if?’. I asked ‘why not?’ and from then things were never going to be the same again.
The ‘Insha’allah Attitude’ is Killing Oman’s Kids
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: I’m amazed at the attitude of the Salalah’s adults to their children’s safety. Once they’re out of diapers the kids are expected to look after themselves
My 10-Point Plan To Rid Oman’s Roads of Carnage
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: Enforcement of rules is essential if the daily horror that occurs on Oman’s roads is to be minimised. Here are my suggestions.
The Salalah ‘Invasion’: Some Planning Please
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: We’re all suffering from post-invasion stress in Dhofar following the unprecedented influx of tourists during Eid.
The Great and Not-So-Great About Ramadan
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: As the Holy Month draws to a close I find myself contemplating the various aspects of a modern day Ramadan
Blood-Letting & Freak Shows: The Dhofar Festival
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: The first drops of rain tell me that the Dhofar Festival is not far away. If you’re up for the weird it’s a great destination
Crackdown on Omani Online Community
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: A number of individuals have been arrested but it’s not clear what they’ve done and what the boundaries actually are.
Salalah Summer: The Thobe Before the Rains
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: It’s a staple of every woman’s wardrobe in southern Oman and it comes with its own mythology
Time To Grow Up and Ditch The Technology
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: ‘My name is Susan and I’m a techno-holic’. I’m well on the way, though, to solving my problem
Warding Off the Evil Eye: Omani Superstitions
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: Superstition is a major part of life in Dhofar and woe betide the person who underestimates their importance
The Trials and Tribulations of a Dhofari Bride
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: I removed myself some time ago from the Dhofari wedding scene. Here’s why.
