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.
Women’s Rights in Oman: Still Plenty To Do
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: The ‘To Do’ list as far as women’s rights in Oman is concerned is, unfortunately, long.
The Positives of Being a Woman in Oman
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: While it’s been a mixed year for women globally there are many advantages to being a woman in Oman
Oman: We’re No Longer ‘the Sleepy Nation’
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: It’s a year since protests erupted in Salalah. We’ve been through a lot and learned a lot since then.
Muscat: The Lure of the Big City for Dhofaris
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: It’s always great to get away from the small town atmosphere of Dhofar for a few days and enjoy the anonymity of the big city.
‘Omanis, It’s Time to Respect Others Time’
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: “It’s part of our culture” is the lazy excuse. Enough. Are we proud of the fact that we don’t value our own and others time?
Polygamy: It’s A Disaster For Women
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: Polygamy is still relatively common in Dhofar but I don’t know any woman enduring this situation who’s happy with their lot.
A Taboo Subject: The Desperate Plight of Domestic Workers in Oman
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: I’m a proud Omani but the way in which my fellow country people treat domestic servants fills me with shame. We must change.
The Deep Frustration of ‘the Salalah Shuffle’
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: You’re a frequent flyer, you’ve booked your seat in advance but you know the boarding pass guarantees you nothing but annoyance.
The Pointlessness of ‘The Red Ribbon Events’
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: They start us young on the ‘Omani Red Ribbon Events’, and they litter our lives.
Oman’s Pride: The Royal Opera House
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: I am so proud of the progress of Oman. The opera house will take tourism to a new level, thus boosting our economy and providing more jobs to Omanis.
Enchanting Mirbat: A Paradise to be Lost
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: The little known Mirbat is home to some of the most beautiful unspoiled white-sand beaches in Oman, while its bays are home to an incredible variety of marine life…
