A New Oman

Published Tuesday March 15, 2011
.

Believe it or not, the peaceful sit-in that started in Salalah on February 25th is still happening. Every morning for the past three weeks, I've had to drive through throngs of sleeping protesters and placards demanding an end to corruption in order to get to my office. Meanwhile, a plethora of smaller peaceful protests have erupted at many major institutions in Salalah including the university and colleges. As for the rest of Oman, every major organization seems to be on strike, and everyday I hear of yet another sit-in happening at some ministry or other. Many of the demands seem perfectly logical to me, while others completely contradict the idea of a 'new' Oman. The protest situation may have gotten a little out of hand, but who can blame us? For the first time in decades, we've been allowed to criticize the way this country is run. Discovering that the government will tolerate our protests is unbelievable, but I suppose with recent events in the Middle East they have no other choice. Once the thrill of staging protests wears off, hopefully things will calm down… but then what?
.

.Oman's 'revolution' (the only possible word that can describe the situation) is all anyone talks about these days. Everyday more Royal decrees are issued announcing jobs, benefits, and wage increases. A dozen ministers have been replaced, committees have been set up, and new policies are being formulated. His Majesty's response to the voice of the people has been remarkable. It may be hard to outsiders to understand the deep respect that Omanis have for him but rest assured that we do genuinely love our Sultan. Our loyalty is not part of any government choreography as may have been the case in other Middle Eastern nations. He has undoubtedly guided our country wisely, and the past 40 years have been extremely prosperous for Oman.

.

However, it's time for reform; and by reform, I do not just mean the government. Omanis believe that His Majesty can transform this country from its present state into a democratic country, but I can't help wondering if Omanis are ready? With freedom comes responsibility. We as individuals have to start by slowly changing our lifestyle, attitude towards work, and start taking responsibility for our own lives. We've gotten used to being spoon-fed by our paternalistic government for the past four decades and this has resulted in us expecting the government to solve all our problems. Many Omanis are either too proud or too lazy to take on menial jobs. I'm against issuing a monthly allowance for the unemployed, and I'm also against forgiving all private debts and housing loans. Most Omanis are in debt over huge mansions and fancy cars that they don't even need. We have to start living at our own level of income. If we want the government to help us, we have to help ourselves first. Omanis are not the most hard-working people on earth. We've been spoiled for too long.

.

Problems aside, I feel the need to echo fellow columnist Riyadh's sentiments; the greatest achievement so far has been freedom of speech. That in itself makes every protest worthwhile. In the past few weeks we've broken boundaries that many of us never knew existed. The fact that I’m able to write these very words today is incredible. For the past 18 months I have been practicing self censorship with every column that gets published. The rules are unwritten, but we all understand them. For years, media publications in this country had no credibility, and Omanis would head to internet forums for 'real' news. Quite often, websites revealing such news would be inaccessible. In recent weeks, however, Facebook groups covering the protests have not been blocked, nor have the endless discussions on local blogs and internet forums. Twitter is on fire and the hundreds of videos uploaded onto YouTube are accessible to all. This newfound freedom of expression is exhilarating.

.

There's no denying the fact that we've had 40 prosperous years. The old system definitely had its virtues, but that era is over now. As a nation I think we're ready now to open new page and try something different. These have truly been significant times here in the Sultanate and the major changes aren't even over yet. This is just the tip of the iceberg. As a young Omani woman, I don't know how to react to these changes or what to think. In fact, I don't think anyone knows really. The only thing I know for sure is that Oman will never be the same again, and it sure is exciting to be here to witness it!

Protest Fever Continues in Salalah

5,000 people still occupy the area outside the Governor’s office in central Salalah on Friday afternoon (Photo: Mohammed al Shahri)

.
*** Just some extra reporting I've been doing for Muscat Daily to cover the Salalah protests***

.

Susan al Shahri  - 12/03/2011 10:40 am

.

Two weeks after protests started in the southern province of Dhofar, the peaceful sit-in continues in front of the Governor's office in central Salalah. Yesterday's Friday prayers witnessed a gathering of about 5,000 people, down from an estimated 10,000 last week.

.

Sheikh Said Jadad, a local Imam and active speaker at the protests delivered a special Friday sermon where he thanked His Majesty for listening to the voice of the people and acting upon it. Local speakers from all walks of life continue to speak to the crowds on a daily basis and donations pour in from local supporters for the provision of meals.

.

Recent changes in the cabinet as well as a number of Royal Decrees have had a positive impact on the protesters. However, most of them claim they will not leave until the remaining demands have been met. The list of demands, still prominently displayed on the Governor's main gates in Salalah include an increase in wages, cancellation of personal loans, and a public corruption investigation involving former key members of the government.

.

Meanwhile, smaller protests have erupted in various locations around Salalah. On Monday morning, a group of women started protesting in front of the Women's Association's Salalah headquarters with various demands ranging from an end to government corruption to the removal of the association's management.

.

At Dhofar University, several hundred students went on strike on Tuesday. Their demands included lower tuition fees, more student benefits and becoming a government-owned university. The Vice Chancellor of the University met with the students several times to discuss the way forward.

.

A public relations employee at the university confirmed that all public events, including a visit by the Japanese Ambassador to Oman were postponed in order to avoid clashes with the protesting students.

.

Classes were disrupted by student protests that started at Salalah College of Technology on March 1 and continued until March 9. Students asked for changes in the academic programmes, a new dean, better grading systems, and various other demands.

,

A team from the Ministry of Manpower met with the students on Monday to discuss the situation and to announce the hiring of a new dean at the college. An Omani lecturer at the college said she supported the students' demands but wished classes hadn't come to a complete halt. Classes will officially resume today.

.

Meanwhile, next door at Salalah College of Applied Sciences, students also went on strike last Monday. Their long list of demands included changes in the administration, better facilities and benefits for students, an easier curriculum, and the need for summer classes to be offered in Salalah.

.

According to Talal, a sophomore at the college and one of the protesters, students plan to continue their protests until they receive an official reply from the Ministry of Higher Education. Unlike Salalah College of Technology, classes here weren't fully disrupted.

Salalah Protests Gear Up for the Long Haul

 Just some extra reporting I've been doing for Muscat Daily to cover the Salalah protests.

Susan al Shahri

.

07/03/2011 10:27 am

.

Ten days after a few hundred protesters marched to the gates of the Governor's headquarters in Salalah, the peaceful sit-in is still going strong. Since the huge crowds at the Friday prayers, the number has averaged around 3,000 during the day and more than double that at night.

.

The ten large outdoor tents that were set up to accommodate the overwhelming numbers for Friday prayers are still standing. Temporary restaurants and water facilities have been set up to cater to the needs of the protesters, and donations keep pouring in to provide meals.

.

On Sunday morning, a delegation of very senior officials from the government set off on foot from the Governor's office to the tents in an attempt to meet the crowds, but was told to leave rather harshly by some protesters who overreacted to their sudden visit.

.

Mohammed Mustahil, an active speaker at the protests, expressed his unhappiness with the incident, saying that he believed an open dialogue with government officials would have resulted in a positive outcome. He also said that many of the other protesters shared his sentiments.

.

Ahmed, one of the protesters who expressed his disapproval at the delegation's sudden appearance, said that the protesters were not ready to negotiate until all their demands are met. The large banner listing their demands remains prominently displayed on the main gate of the Governor's office in Dhofar.

.

Groups of protesters from the towns of Taqah, Mirbat and Sadah have also joined the sit-in in Salalah. What started off as a small protest organised by the unemployed and underpaid has become a gathering of thousands from all walks of life. Doctors, writers, religious leaders, lawyers, students, unemployed young men, and even Majlis Al Shura candidates have joined the protesters.

.

People with positive inputs are encouraged to come and speak to the crowds. In order to facilitate this, a stage has been set up and loudspeakers have been installed around the square. Most of these speeches are recorded and immediately uploaded onto Facebook, YouTube, and many local forums.

.

During the evenings it has become nearly impossible to find any parking near the square. Despite the overwhelming number of supporters, the sit-in remains extremely peaceful.

Protests in Salalah - Friday Gathering Draws Thousands in Salalah

This morning my report on the protests in Dhofar actually made it to the front page of the newspaper. I'm flattered.

05/03/2011 10:20 am 

Susan al Shahri

A week after the peaceful sit-in started in Salalah, the crowds continue to grow by the hour. Thousands flocked to the protesters' headquarters across the Governor of Dhofar's office, now nicknamed 'Freedom Square', for Friday prayers.

.

The purpose of Friday's gathering was to remind the government that the peaceful sit-in would continue until their demands were met. Banners seeking an end to corruption were set up at the entrance to the square. While various decisions have been taken with regard to provision of jobs for 50,000 Omanis, a grant of RO150 for the unemployed as well as changes in the cabinet, the protesters are still not satisfied.

.

A writer and recent speaker at the protest in Salalah estimated that there were around 10,000 people present for the Friday prayers. One of the protesters, Ali, who contributed to the setting up of ten tents at the square, claimed that each could accommodate up to 900 people. Not only were all the ten tents filled, there were also hundreds of people praying out in the sun and under the trees in the square.

.

A special Friday sermon was delivered by the Imam of a local mosque, Nasser Bait Ali Sakroon, who encouraged the people gathered to be brave, patient, peaceful and to say ‘Enough’ to corruption. A local blogger who goes by the name, Mahfaif, set up his camera equipment on the roof of a building overlooking the square and managed to get some shots of the square before the sermon.

.

He estimated that there were between 5,000-7,000 people at the time that he joined the Friday prayers. Several sources confirmed that lunch for the thousands who showed up at the square on Friday was provided by one of Dhofar's wealthy businessmen.

.

Meanwhile thousands of others continue to send donations to help with the provision of meals for the protesters. There was no army presence in the area, while police presence was limited to a few who sat in their vehicles near the square.