Dhofari Gucci

Oman’s Eid Holiday Furore: It’s Time to ‘Get Real’

Oman’s Eid Holiday Furore: It’s Time to ‘Get Real’

DHOFARI GUCCI: It used to be ‘holiday heaven’ in Oman. Not any more and it’s no bad thing really.

 Mich Cafe

Digital Prayer Beads: New Technological Marvel

Digital Prayer Beads: New Technological Marvel

MICH CAFE: I’d noticed that some women coming into the shop where I was working were carrying a new device. So I did a little investigating

 Rob L. Wagner

Christmas in Saudi Arabia: Quietly Festive

Christmas in Saudi Arabia: Quietly Festive

ROB L. WAGNER: If you’re subtle you can enjoy a surprisingly festive Christmas in the Kingdom. Many Saudis also quietly acknowledge Christian friends’ celebration.

 James M. Dorsey

Own Goal: Bahrain National Goalkeeper Imprisoned over Role in Protests

Own Goal: Bahrain National Goalkeeper Imprisoned over Role in Protests

JAMES M. DORSEY: Military court sentences goalkeeper, plus two other sportsmen, despite pledge by the King to move trials to civilian courts.

 thehedonista

Eid is Just Around the Corner: So Where to Go?

Eid is Just Around the Corner: So Where to Go?

THE HEDONISTA: Eid al Adha has been my favourite – the last few years it has fallen far enough out of summer it occurs with the change of season.

 Rania Al Malky

Arab Spring: All Pain, No Gain, Just the Same?

Arab Spring: All Pain, No Gain, Just the Same?

RANIA AL MALKY: Is it logical that the ousted Mubarak, responsible for the disintegration of Egypt’s institutions is now living in a five-star hospital suite…

 David Westley

The End of Eid, The Start of the Beginning

The End of Eid, The Start of the Beginning

DAVID WESTLEY: This year, the return to ‘normality’ will be significantly harder to achieve for those countries that have gone through their Arab spring; the pathway to success is still far from clear.

 Yahya Ederer

Muslim Guidebook: How to Deal with Christmas

Muslim Guidebook: How to Deal with Christmas

YAHYA EDERER: Every December the Christmas clamour seems to increase around the world. I have some thoughts on how Muslims should manage the festive ‘bombardment’.

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Christmas: Making Bonds through Celebrations

Christmas: Making Bonds through Celebrations

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMMED: And in the carol O Come all Ye Faithful, I changed the words “Christ the Lord” to “Allah the Lord”. No harm done, eh? I didn’t mean any disrespect, I simply loved the togetherness of it.

 Prince El Hassan bin Talal

Looking Back on ‘the Year that Was’ in the Middle East

Looking Back on ‘the Year that Was’ in the Middle East

HRH PRINCE EL HASSAN BIN TALAL: It was a year which began with much promise and, whisper it, hope around the Middle East. It ends, however, with feelings that are all too familiar…