Y - Issue 162 - March 22, 2011 - Y-oman.com

Weekly March 22, 2011
Issue 162
amal
al zadjali
AWLADNA CAMPAIGN
MArIA GAboL
SWEET TooTH
locked
in credit
secure banking in oman
HAITHAM AL-SAqrI
and MAHEr AL-SHIbANI
OMAN FORMULA TEAM
oman netball team
NTI BizPro Awards, HSBC Premier
Tariq Hilal Al-Barwani, Arab Youth Survey
BankMuscat, Ernst & Young, Cake Gallery
Nawras, Stevie Wonder, Make Up For Ever
Second Cup, Damas, Abu Dhabi Festival

Dear Reader,
Nations across the world are rapidly
becoming ‘cashless’ societies. The use of
electronic money, through credit and debit
cards, are increasingly replacing traditional
cash-in-hand methods of transaction
and making daily life more convenient.
Although most people in the Sultanate
make use of Electronic Cash, there are still
those who remain sceptical about money
they can’t see. Others are at danger of
falling into the ‘debt trap’, unaware of the
strings attached to credit cards and loans.
Y looks into the proper use of electronic
banking and the issues that affect us all
here in the Sultanate.
Enjoy some gripping interviews, the latest
in local and international news, selected
fashion items, sports and technology, and
an in-depth look at the Oman Formula
Team that is racing into the motorsports
scene both here and afar.
We hope you enjoy the issue.
Y Team

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This week in
March 22, 2011 Issue 162
9
Ernst
Twentyfour Seven
& Young, BankMuscat, NTI BizPro Awards, Second Cup, Etihad
15 Check This out
Movie Review, Events, Make Up For Ever, Damas
18
Y-rated
SECURE
BANKING IN
OMAN
24
Spotlight
Maria Gabol – Sweet Tooth
26 Yin-Yang
Handmade Omani Fashion Items
28
AutobAHN
Oman Formula Team
34 X-tra Time
Oman Netball Team
6
22
Spotlight
AMAL AL
ZADJALI –
AWLADNA
CAMPAIGN
45 Chillaxative
Crosswords, Social Media
Sayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi Editor-in-Chief | Kiran Jay Haslam Managing Editor | Paul McLoughlin Work Editor
Karima Farid Chief Reporter | Clint Derric Egbert Sports Writer/Photographer | Jerzy Wierzbicki Photographer | Jerome Adarle Art Director
Eihab Abutaha General Manager | Feroz Khan Director of Sales & Marketing | Ayman Canawati Logistics Manager
For editorial enquiries, email info@y-oman.com | Published by SABCO Press, Publishing & Advertising LLC | Y is a SABCO Media Product.

WINNING
LETTER
roAD ruNNErS
Dear Y,
Firstly, I would like to congratulate you all on last week’s issue
of Y; it was truly great the way you brought matters to the
forefront in the Y rated section. I believe it's about time the
nation realises the importance of unity and togetherness. As an
expat, I have noticed how most of the people struggle to cope
up with daily trials in life. But I can still see that when we work
together, or try to co-exist to further benefit our day-to-day
living, there will always be hope and a brighter future. I pray that
eventually all of these disagreements and conflicts will come to
an end and that we all enjoy the real beauty of this great nation.
Over the past week I have noticed, on many an occasion,
children running across the main road going from Seeb to
Azaiba. There was even a time when I saw a child cycle across
the main road through oncoming traffic. I was shocked when
I saw it, and couldn’t help but wonder if anything is being
done about this. Why isn’t anyone putting a stop to this kind of
behaviour Don’t parents realise that this is risking lives I do
wish something is done to make this stop, before someone gets
hurt.
Please keep up the good work in highlighting issues relevant to
society in Oman.
READER'S
LETTERS
CLEArEr PErSPECTIVE
Dear Y,
Thank you for your recent issue which provided an interesting perspective on
development in Oman. I have been a firm believer of the good nature and wise
decisions made by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the Omani people,
and it’s very important to look at past achievements of the country and how
progress has been made. This will give us all a clearer insight into what steps
we need to take to continue this progress, rather than be driven backwards.
The past ten years has seen some of the country’s biggest achievements with
a rapid development of infrastructure across the country, and this is down to
the hard work of all, particularly His Majesty. I hope all consider this in the
coming months and weeks
Best regards,
V. Kumar
STuff IT uP
Although I’m out of the country I still find time to keep track of Y for all the
latest happening in the country. I have to say I loved your stuff section this
week, and these items are some or the quirkiest, yet practical, gadgets I have
seen for a long time. I’ve placed an order with one of the items, but I think I’ll
be giving the gaming modular case a miss this week – that is far too geeky.
Keep up the good work and look forward to more great stuff in the future!
Jeremy Hope
b.K. Gopal
roAD CoNSCIouS
Dear Y,
bE A WINNEr!
Each week we are selecting our
best reader’s letter or image,
and giving away fantastic
prizes care of Noodle House!
Road safety is still a hugely important issue in the country. I continue to see a
huge number of road accidents, hazardous driving and general recklessness
of parents by not securing children and babies in their cars, on a day to day
basis. I hope to see a more nationwide effort in dealing with road safety and
would love to see the citizens and expatriates of this country take their civil
responsibilities seriously by offering their support in any way then can.
–
Anonymous
Simply email us at
info@y-oman.com
Value of prizes may vary each week. This prize is not redeemable for cash or alternatives.
Only one winner is selected at the discretion of Y magazine.
*Proof of Identity is required to claim your prize.

March 22, 2011 Issue 162
bankMuscat Presents Partners
in Progress Awards
Inauguration of Oculoplasty Unit
Senior Consultant Surgeon
Botox Injection:
Treatment of wrinkles
Blepharoplasty:
Treatment of Puffy Eyes
Dacryocystorhinostomy:
Treatment of Tearing
Ptosis Repair:
Treatment of Droppy Lid
The sixth edition of the annual ‘Partners in Progress’ award
ceremony by BankMuscat was held to honour merchant partners
for outstanding contributions to card business in 2010. Senior
executives of companies shortlisted for the awards attended the
function held at the Bank’s headquarters. A total of 20 categories
ranging from the government to automobiles, airlines, insurance,
telecommunications, hotels and hypermarkets received the awards.
A new special award category for beauty salons was introduced
this year to honour women merchant partners.
Ocular Implants:
Artificial Eyes
Entropion and Ectropion Repair:
Treatment of Old Trachoma
For more information:
Call 2469 3738
or visit us at Al Sarooj – Bareeq Al Shatti Complex
opposite Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The award winners are Oman Air (Airlines), Suhail Bahwan
Automobiles (Automotive), Al Lilac Beauty Centre (Beauty Salon),
Budget Car Rental (Car Rental), Gulf Imports Establishment
(Clothing), Centrepoint (Department and Luxury Store), Jumbo
Electronics (Electronics), Fahmy Furniture (Furniture), Royal Oman
Police (Government Services), Shangri-La (Hotels and Resorts),
LuLu Hypermarket (Hypermarket), Oman United Insurance
(Insurance), Damas Jewellery (Jewellery), Muscat Private Hospital
(Healthcare and Hospitals), Omantel (Telecommunications), Pizza
Hut (Restaurant), Al Fair (Supermarket), Bahwan Travel Agencies
(Travel and Tourism), Amouage (Perfumes) and Horizon Fitness
(Other retailers).
AbdulRazak Ali Issa, Chief Executive, said: “The Partners in
Progress awards were conceived as a tribute to our merchant
partners and customers. BankMuscat has grown from strength to
strength with the support of all partners in the industry, customers
and the goodwill of people. The success of e-payment gateway
has encouraged the Bank to launch more innovative services
and payment solutions, including the GPRS (mobile) Point of Sale
terminal solution and unattended kiosks.”
2010 was an exciting period for the card acquiring team as
merchant partners recorded a 33 percent increase in the number
of transactions processed on the Bank terminals, reflecting a 35
percent increase in card sale volumes. The figures reflect that
electronic payment is becoming the preferred mode of payment for
customers.
Here Comes the Sun!
Babyshop is one of the leading
regional retailers of children’s
products, from baby basics,
nursery furniture, prams and
toys, to fashion clothing. The
new collection exudes energy
in terms of its bright colours,
vibrant detailing, cool styling
and tasteful prints. To complete
and enhance the look, our
stores also offer a wide variety of accessories and toys. From casual to beachwear, the new
clothing line from Babyshop offers some exciting designs which will make your wardrobe
glow even more in the sunshine!
The Junior Collection showcases breathable cottons in pastel shades. The collection
features flowery prints, stripes, checks and ruffles. Fabrics such as Poplin, Fine gauge
and linen are weather friendly, free flowing and easy to maintain. Maui & Sons Beachwear
is all about spending a pleasant day on a sun-kissed beach with translucent blue ocean
waves rushing ashore. Colourful stripes, check designs and polka dots dominate the prints.
Clean bright and candy like is the theme for Disney Girls, and Speed Racing is the boys line.
Active, playful, energetic happy and aggressive are the themes for Gear, a perfect line for
the active mind. Relaxed, casual and colourful, the Lee Cooper collection is an ethnic mix of
style and comfort. Low waists, cargos, hooded tops, muscle tees, the collection is loaded
with dynamic spirit.
9

NTI BizPro Awards 2011
Rewards Worth More
Than 200 Omani Riyals
for 'Hsbc Premier'
Customers
The evaluation process for the NTI
BizPro Young Achievers Award
2011 has commenced. The initial
assessment for the Young Achievers
Award 2011 was conducted on 8th
March at the NTI Center, Al Khuwair.
There was an overwhelming
response as performers of the
corporate world participated in huge
numbers for the initial assessments
organised by KPMG, evaluation
partners for NTI BizPro Awards. The
countdown to the grand event to be held at Hotel Grand Hyatt, on 4th April 2011 has begun, where in,
a Business Leader and three Young Achievers will be announced and awarded the BizPro trophy and
scholarships, which are sponsored by Renaissance Services SAOG.
HSBC Oman, the Sultanate’s globally connected
financial institution, is currently offering new ‘HSBC
Premier’ customers successful referrals rewards
worth more than 200 Omani Riyals as part of the
Bank’s continued endeavour to provide its customers
with unique and attractive offers.
The offer is available exclusively to the Bank’s
signature ‘HSBC Premier’ accountholders, whom
introduce a new successful ‘HSBC Premier’
relationship, or new customers opening 'HSBC
Premier' accounts before the end of April 2011. The
rewarding incentive scheme includes a one night
stay at the Grand Hyatt Muscat, in addition to a one
year ‘Advantage’ membership entitling customers to
discounts in restaurants and lounges, complimentary
birthday and anniversary cakes as well as pool
passes. The limited offer will also grant customers
a free ‘Club Hotel’ membership card entitling them to
benefits in more than 700 hotels worldwide.
This is the 5th consecutive year of the awards, constituted to acknowledge, encourage, reward and most
importantly promote the positive achievements of Omani Business Leaders and Managers. The Awards
recognise talented Omanis who have displayed initiative, innovation and the pursuit of excellence in a
leadership capacity. The awardees become role models and mentors for their peers and the younger
generation.
More Than One Million Shoppers Celebrate
Muscat Festival at Muscat City Centre and
Qurum City Centre
More than one million shoppers enjoyed
savings and festivities at Muscat City Centre
and Qurum City Centre during the recentlyconcluded
Muscat Festival. The Sultanate’s
two leading shopping destinations saw
unprecedented discounts from its retail
partners, as well as family entertainment
and cultural opportunities.
On the occasion, Dagmo Galaal, Head of Premium
at HSBC Oman stated, “HSBC Premier offers
customers and their families a world of exclusive
and internationally recognised benefits that extend
beyond borders and overcome the obstacles of
conventional banking. The new transparent and
rewarding bundle of benefits aims to further enhance
the HSBC banking experience by adding extra value
to our signature 'HSBC Premier' proposition that
constantly empowers customers to unlock their true
potential, wherever they may be, twenty-four hours a
day, seven days a week.”
At Qurum City Centre, almost half of participating stores took part in a sidewalk sale, while more than 80
stores at Muscat City Centre celebrated the Festival with family entertainment ranging from a popular
Aladdin show through to a folkloric Dabkah dance performance.
“Muscat Festival 2011 provided an energetic start to the New Year and our fantastic savings as well as
light-hearted entertainment – such as our National Geographic exhibition, 'From China to Arabia' – made
Qurum City Centre one of the must-visit destinations during the month-long initiative,” said Hassan
Jaboub, Mall Manager of Qurum City Centre.
Ibrahim Al Qasmi, General Manager of Muscat City Centre, also confirmed, “We are very grateful for all
our retailers’ involvement throughout this festive period – especially those who offered promotions of
up to 85percent, which created a dynamic retail atmosphere for Oman residents and overseas visitors
alike”.
10

March 22, 2011 Issue 162
Tariq Awarded for 'Community Leadership'
Tariq Hilal Al-Barwani, founder and president of the leading community knowledge sharing
portal, knowledgeoman.com, has been awarded for “community leadership” by the largest
software company in the world, Microsoft, in recognition of his excellent lead for setting up a
successful community initiative in the Sultanate. Over 100 million participants worldwide are
competing for the elite acknowledgment but fewer than 4,000 active professionals receive the
status from Microsoft. Tariq is the only person in Oman that has also received 5 MVP statuses
for five consecutive years since 2007.
Microsoft awards exceptional community leaders from around the world for voluntarily sharing
their high quality, real-world expertise in offline and online technical communities. The award is
based solely on an individual’s contributions from the previous year and those contributions are
then compared amongst the other candidates worldwide.
“Working solo is no longer a viable solution for a winning organization today. I always believe in
team work and in specific a diverse one because you get different ideas, different angle of answers to problems and indeed creative solutions. KnowledgeOman.
com success is purely due to the diverse people we have on board today” said Tariq Al-Barwani
In 2008, Tariq created a diverse team of experts whom all work voluntarily together to promote knowledge across the Sultanate. In 2009, the website of the project
knowledgeoman.com received an international standard web award during the Pan Arab Web Awards competition. In 2010, the knowledgeoman.com project
received a global brand leadership award at the world brand congress for its brand leadership. KnowledgeOman.com today has over 66 people working closely
together to promote knowledge and education throughout the Sultanate.
In 2008, the Information Technology Authority (ITA) presented Tariq with the 'Best IT Professional Award'. In 2009, The Telecommunication Regulation Authority
(TRA) presented Tariq with the Best Personality Award. Tariq is currently completing a doctorate in management in organisations.
overriding Desire
for Democracy Tops
Agenda in Asda’a
burson-Marsteller
Arab Youth Survey
The single greatest priority for young people in
the Middle East remains living in a democratic
country, according to the findings of the 2010
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller Arab Youth Survey,
the largest study of its kind of the region’s
largest demographic. This finding echoes the
results of the 2009 survey which similarly
identified the yearning for greater political
participation as the defining characteristic of
Arab youth.
This is the key finding of the 10-country survey unveiled today in Dubai and New York. Conducted by leading international polling firm Penn Schoen Berland (PSB),
the Third Annual ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller Arab Youth Survey which included 2,000 face-to-face interviews with Arab nationals and Arab expatriates between
the ages of 18-24, in the six Gulf Cooperation Council nations, as well as in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. These interviews were conducted in December 2010
and January 2011.
11

March 22, 2011 Issue 162
bank Sohar Launches India remittance
Service
Bank Sohar announced the launch of their India Remittance Service 'EKDOTEEN' at
a press conference held at the Bank’s Learning Center at the Qurum Branch. Khalfan
Rashid Al Tal’ey, DGM Retail Banking – Bank Sohar and several Senior Managers of the
Bank were also present at the launch. The NRI Remittance Service has been developed
for Bank Sohar’s non-resident Indian expatriate customers. Sabuj Kundu, Head of Non-
Resident Banking gave a presentation about the new service. The presentation was
followed by a live, real time remittance to India using the new facilities.
With the launch of the India Remittance Service, Bank Sohar introduces a safe, fast
and reliable money transfer process for their NRI customers to send money from Oman to beneficiaries in India. Customers that have savings or current accounts
with the Bank can avail of the new service. Customers may access the remittance service through Bank Sohar’s internationally benchmarked Al Mumayaz Retail
Internet Banking and also through any of the 21 branches of the Bank. Instant transfers, competitive exchange rates and low transaction fees are some of the
many attractive features of the new service.
Bank Sohar’s India Remittance Service is offered in partnership with Axis Bank Ltd., India. Credit to a beneficiary’s Axis Bank account will be completed in
seconds, and the credit to a beneficiary’s accounts with other banks will be within 24 hours depending on the NEFT business hours in India. Al Tal’ey invited NRI
customers to avail of the comfort and convenience of the remittance facility and to experience the difference.
Second Cup’s fourth
branch at omantel’s New
Headquarters, Mawaleh
Expanding the reach of Canada’s leading specialty coffee
franchisors, Bin Mirza International (BMI) announced the
opening of a fourth Second Cup branch and the introduction
of fourteen fully-automated vending coffee machines at
Omantel’s new Headquarters in Mawaleh.
Executed by a top Australian manufacturer, the kiosk-style
outlet incorporates new eco-friendly operating technology
developed by Second Cup International to support and
expedite its vast and responsible international growth strategy.
The latest technology includes enhanced flow methods,
maximised storage facilities, built-in plumping and modern
rinse techniques that automatically washes coffee blenders and substantially reduces water consumption levels.
To mark the opening, Hani bin Ali Mirza, Partner and Managing Director of Bin Mirza International stated, “The opening of our fourth branch at Omantel’s new
Headquarters is an integral component of our strategic expansion plan that aims to bring the distinct Second Cup experience and ‘Neighborhood Oasis’ feel to a
larger segment of coffee lovers across the capital. The new branch will serve as a comfortable café for colleagues and friends to spend their free time, while our
state-of-the-art vending machines will offer swift and easily accessible services for those choosing to have their favourite beverages at their office or on-thego.”
The fourteen vending coffee machines at Omantel’s Headquarters are conveniently located throughout the cafeterias of the telecom giant’s offices. The machines
utilize fresh coffee beans and Second Cup propriety ingredients, and offer a select range of signature drinks including Espresso, Café Latte, Cappuccino, Hot
Chocolate, Moccaccino and teas. Second Cup has also introduced a food menu that has been developed exclusively for Omantel to cater to lunch and other special
requirements.
12

March 22, 2011 Issue 162
Etihad opens World’s first
Contact Centre Staffed Solely
by Emirati Women
Applauding Women
Commemorating women on International
Women’s Day, Ernst & Young, the global
professional services organisation, hosted
a high-tea seminar with the theme ‘Keys
to Success’ for its female employees at
the Grand Hyatt Muscat. The event was
organised under Ernst & Young’s Diversity
and Inclusiveness Committee that celebrates
individual differences, while focusing on
building an inclusive culture with an aim to have the best motivated workforce.
Etihad Airways today officially opened its new contact centre in
Al Ain City, exclusively managed and operated by female UAE
nationals.
The Al Ain Contact Centre, officially opened by Etihad Board
Member and Chairman of the Executive Committee, H.E. Mubarak
Hamad Al Muhairi, is staffed by more than 80 Emirati ladies trained
by industry specialists as contact centre agents and contact centre
team leaders, under the leadership of Contact Centre Manager,
Samia Barj.
In remarks at the opening ceremony today, H.E Mubarak Hamad
Al Muhairi said the opening of Al Ain Contact Centre was another
milestone for the UAE and reflected the country’s vision for a
highly skilled workforce comprised of an increasing number of UAE
nationals.
This is in line with recent high level discussions held at the
‘Challenges to Emiratisation’ workshop, hosted by the General
Secretariat of the Executive Council (GSEC) and Abu Dhabi Tawteen
Council (ADTC), in which the drive to boost employment opportunities
in Al Ain and other regional centres was cited as a key imperative.
The employees have each completed a nine-month training and
development programme, which included a six month training
course run in conjunction with Abu Dhabi University. The special
course consisted of English language training, customer service
skills and a comprehensive induction into Etihad Airways.
Office Managing Partner at Ernst & Young Oman, Sridhar Sridharan, welcomed guests
and congratulated the women for their commitment and contribution to the growth of the
organisation.
‘Keys of Success’ had two of Oman’s leading female business leaders providing an insight
into their professional lives, reflecting on their career development and analysing what
success means to them. The seminar provided a platform for enthusiastic employees to
gain insight into the professional lives of Manal Mohammed Al Abdwani, DG Planning and
Follow-up, Ministry of Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Malak Ahmed Al Shaibani,
Managing Director, Creative Links. Another highlight of the event was honouring Mazoon
Al Lamki, Senior Consultant, Advisory Service Line as ‘Ernst & Young Female Role Model
2011’ for living and promoting EY values.
Green Apple Private School Kids
Showcase their baking Skills at
Cake Gallery
Cake Gallery, one of Oman’s
premier cake stores known
for their delectable cakes and
goodies, recently organised
a very creative programme.
This time, little nursery and
kindergarten going kids, were
invited to the gallery and were
given a chance to craft their
own imaginative cupcakes. To start off with this programme, a group of 18 students were
invited from Green Apple Private School, ages between 4 and 6.
“We were really happy seeing these wonderful kids toiling hard with the dough and playing
with ingredients mixing them in their own little way. It was a scene to treasure and all
of them had a lot of fun and we were only delighted to watch them. It was our first time
holding an event of this sort for little children but we would like to continue this initiative
and try holding it every month on weekdays with different kindergarten kids coming to our
Gallery and trying their hands at baking cupcakes,” said Etab al Zedjali, General Manager,
Cake Gallery.
13

Different Standard
Englishes are
Developing Around
the World
Lowest Call Rate from Nawras on 6th Anniversary
As an important part of its 6th anniversary celebrations,
Nawras is actively thanking all customers for their support by
giving them the lowest mobile call rates in the Sultanate. With
this incredible offer, all Nawras to Nawras calls will be only 10
Baizas a minute on a Friday, allowing customers to get closer to
their friends and family while enjoying fantastic value.
This exciting 6th anniversary offer kicked off on Friday, 18th
March and continues every Friday until midnight on April 22nd, 2011. There is no need to subscribe, as all Nawras
customers will automatically benefit from the exceptional value on offer for this 24-hour period each week.
Over the years English has become the
predominant language around the world.
It is now a truly ‘global language’. Because
of the growth of English, local languages
are increasingly threatened, according
to Richard Harrison, Head of the Pre-
University Programme and Coordinator for
Academic English at the German University
of Technology in Oman (GUtech). Mr
Harrison was speaking at a public evening
presentation titled 'English as a Global
Language' held at the GUtech Airport
Campus.
Announcing the reason behind the great offer, Nawras Marketing Manager – Prepaid, Aziz Al-Harrasi, said, “On the
occasion of the 6th Anniversary of Nawras, we wanted to celebrate by showing our sincere appreciation to every
customer in the Nawras family. This very special mobile tariff will make it easy to catch up with friends and family
on Fridays and it is our way of saying a big thank you to all our valued customers.”
Every year since has seen further innovation as Nawras, a member of the Qtel Group, continues to focus on
customers and design new products and services that are in line with its vision of being committed to making
telecommunications easier, more versatile, and always a rewarding experience. Now, as a full service provider,
Nawras remains as dedicated as ever to being the communications provider of choice in Oman.
Stevie Wonder Thrills Thousands at Yas Arena as
Yas Island Show Weekends 2011 Ends on a Musical
High Note
According to Harrison, it is expected that
during this century 50-90 percent of the
world’s 6,700 languages will die due
to the dominance of global or regional
languages. “English is often blamed for the
death of other languages,” he said. “But
in Indonesia a lot of languages have died
out because of the rise of the national
Indonesian Language and in Latin-America
Spanish has overtaken local languages.”
The future of a global language depends on
political and social changes and the shifts in
economic power. Possible future dominant
languages are Chinese, with China predicted
to be a huge economic power, Spanish,
which is the world’s fastest growing
language, and possibly Arabic, reflecting
the region’s economic and religious power.
For the foreseeable future it is likely that
English, and in particular American English,
will retain its dominant position.
Stevie Wonder brought the Yas Island Show Weekends 2011, which was
sponsored by du as part of ‘du Live!’, to a rapturous close last night when
the Motown legend wowed the roaring crowd of up-for-it fans at Yas Arena,
Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Delivering some of his most famous songs, including ‘Do I Do’, ‘I Just Called
To Say I Love You’ and ‘For Once In My Life’, Stevie proved that his famous
voice and incredible skills as a musician are just as fresh as ever.
The thousands-strong crowd, who sang and danced along to an incredible
selection of the singer’s six decades worth of hits, included fans from
around the world. They enjoyed an amazing two-hour-long performance
from the singer/songwriter who has won 22 Grammys and a Best Song
Oscar during his career.
14

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Road Safety Show Comments
Ahlaam Al Marhoobi came up with a clever way to raise awareness of road safety
concerns in Oman, and we spoke to her about it in Issue 158 ‘Making Our Roads
Safer’. With sponsorship coming from both Shell and Sohar Aluminium Company,
and the guidance from Ahlaam, this show was a success and left the audience
wanting more from this excellent performance presented by three talented actors
from the UK. Ahlaam told us that a feedback form was given to teachers and
students; below are some of their comments. Most of them rated the production
‘Excellent’, ‘Very Informative’ and felt that it had improved their understanding of
Road Safety.
Below are some of their comments:
“It was an excellent presentation! It captivated the audience. It also led to lots
of discussions in the classroom. It left students pondering their road safety
practices.”
“The performance was language appropriate/age appropriate and culturally
appropriate.”
“Well done!”
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“They acted in an effective way and attracted the attention of the audience by
asking questions and let them to participate with them.”
“The road show was very informative and interesting for the students as well as
the teachers. Very thankful and we appreciate your hard work.”
“Very good show. I hope many watched it and become aware of the road rules.”
“Nice production and very informative for all of us.”
“Thanks a lot. It was a great show.”
“The language was clear enough and close to our student’s age and
understanding.”
“Do a show for adults!”
“The show was very useful for children about road safety.”
“The message was easily understandable.”
“We would like to repeat this kind of role play again and thanks so much for all.”
SCuLPTING KIT
Sculpting Compact Powders
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hollow areas reduces the size of the face, while the light shade can
be applied to emphasise and highlight features.
It is recommended to use the Sculpting Brush when sculpting
the face as it is perfectly adapted to correct and contour the face
structure. One end is a slanted shaped brush to sculpt and the other
end is a round shaped brush to illuminate.
“Nothing but perfection.”
“The play was amazing, we enjoyed it. We thank you for it and we promise that
we will keep your advice in mind.”
“Thank you a lot for your performance and we hope that you will be here in Oman
again with other performance on other issues.”
“It was really a great show, simple equipment was used but the information was
perfect and very informative and the goal was achieved.”
“It was an excellent play which it has achieved its goal to reach school pupils
about the causes of car accidents and the results. At the end they raised some
solutions to car accidents.”
“It was extremely effective and typical to Oman society.”

An Exclusive Launch of
Stunning Collections from
Damas
With all pieces in the collection blending white, yellow and rose
gold, the expertly designed pendants, necklaces and bracelets are
presented in three themes: 'Nature', 'Loops' and 'Spring' - all of
which are further highlighted by the sparkle of selected brilliant
diamonds.
The second collection is Damas' new Mothers Day Collection,
which is available across the GCC, plus Jordan and Lebanon, and
includes five new limited edition Mother's Day pendants, designed
to reflect your undying love and appreciation for your mother. The
stunning collection set in 18k gold, which is studded by diamonds,
pearls and colourful precious stones, has a unique twist, as four of
the pendants are designed with the word "Ummi" (which means
"My Mother") in Arabic calligraphy.
Abu Dhabi festival to Thrill Audiences with Star-
Studded Line up of Concerts and Performances
HIGHLIGHTS of THE MAIN ProGrAMME
The Festival, from 19th March to 4th April brings together the world’s
greatest talents. With classical music, traditional Arabic music, jazz,
opera, chamber music, ballet and contemporary modern dance productions, and visual arts, there is sure to be
something for everyone to enjoy.
Kicking off this year’s Festival, the theme being ‘Harmony for Humanity’ is the GCC premiere of the Path of
Roses exhibition by eminent Algerian artist Rachid Koraïchi from March 19th to April 4th. Extending the theme of
‘Harmony for Humanity’, each year the Festival welcomes a 'Country of Honour' to share cultures of understanding
and mutual appreciation. This year, that honour goes to Belgium. In celebration of this, the music of classical
genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, presented by The Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and performed by the
Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie, Belgium’s most illustrious classical ensemble conducted by virtuoso
violinist Augustin Dumay, will inaugurate the Festival in 2011, performing an evening of Mozart Masterpieces on
Saturday, 19th March.
On Saturday, 2nd April, the Festival’s orchestra-in-residence, the Russian National Orchestra, will be joined by
Grammy award winning pianist Yefim Bronfman for a spectacular performance entitled ‘Bronfman and Brahms’.
Conducted by Italian maestro Nicola Luisotti, this unmissable evening of entertainment will celebrate three of
classical music’s greatest composers – Brahms, Beethoven and Verdi.
For the second year in a row, jazz comes to the Abu Dhabi Festival, this year in the form of the seven-time Grammy
Award winner Al Jarreau. Undoubtedly one of the greatest cross-over artists of all time, Jarreau brings his unique
vocal talent to Abu Dhabi audiences on Sunday, 3rd April.
To find out more about the programme for the Abu Dhabi Festival 2011, visit www.abudhabifestival.ae.
16

March 22, 2011 Issue 162
Events
Movie Review
Arabs’ Got Talent!
Fridays on MBC4
Watch MBC4 at 10pm to vote for the finalists of the show - Omanis
are participating, too! This show lasts two hours, and is filled with fun,
humour and talent. Don’t miss out!
big Show 2011
March 21st – 23rd
Organised by Omanexpo, this Builders International Gathering is
the 8th International Exhibition of building materials, construction
equipment and interior furnishing. The exhibition will take place at
the Oman International Exhibition Centre. For more information, visit
www.interiorsbuildex.com.
Dubai World Cup
March 26th
The Dubai World Cup is the most glittering event in the global racing
calendar. The event attracts the very best international horses, jockeys
and trainers. Visit www.dubaiworldcup.com to find out more.
Sharukh Khan Live in Muscat!
March 31st
Shahrukh Khan, one of world’s most famous actors, will perform live in
Muscat on March 31st as part of his ‘Temptation Reloaded World Tour
2011’.
1st oman International Salsa &
Dance festival at the Al Nahda
resort & Spa
March 31st - April 2nd
A weekend of magic with international and local dance instructors at the
biggest dance event in Oman! Look out for workshops, shows, parties and
lots of excitement at this three-day dance extravagance. Learn to move to
Salsa, Bachata, Hip Hop, Belly Dance, Bollywood Dance, Reggaeton and
more, all under one roof. Call Thuwaini Al Harthy on 99326632 for more
information or log onto www.omansalsafestival.com.
International Jewellery Exhibition
April 12th
The 3rd IJEX 2011 will take place from April 12th to April 16th at the Oman
International Exhibition Centre. Check out www.jewellerymuscat.com
for more information.
battle Los Angeles
A recently discharged Staff Sergeant finally ends his duty of 20 long
years, but on this very day, he is ordered to go back into the line of
duty to assist a 2nd Lieutenant on a mission to get civilians back to the
safe zone – little did they know that they will end up trying to reclaim
LA back from a battle they never thought they would encounter. This
movie was the best alien movie I have ever watched, and I would highly
recommend it to anyone who wants to watch a different genre of film.
There were great special effects and showed what the end of the world
might look like. Imagine, the world encounters an enemy that they have
never seen before and that the whole world is in the hands of a Marine
Staff Sergeant! Watch this movie to see the scary reality of how Earth
would look like if it was attacked by unknown forces, and LA becomes
‘the last stand for mankind’ in a battle no one ever expected.
Starring: Aaron Eckhart
Michelle Rodriguez
Bridget Moynahan
Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Release Date: 3.11.11
17

CASHLESS SOCIETY –
A FRIEND OR FOE
by Clint Derric Egbert
The concept of a cashless society is appealing and convenient,
something that allows for a simple and easy means of monetary
transaction via Electronic Cash including credit cards, debit cards and
internet banking – but it’s only beneficial when used correctly.
Since the 1960s, financial institutions and governments around the
world have made constant strides towards shaping a cashless society,
gradually paving the way towards a society without cash, substituting
it with a more convenient method of payment called Electronic Cash.
A simple form of monetary transaction through secured plastic cards
instead of cash notes and coins, spells out convenience, at the same
time reducing the chance of being robbed and mugged when walking
down the street after dark. But, with the benefits of a cashless world,
there are drawbacks such as a lack of privacy, internet crime, low
security and complicated computerisation, but the one threat above
all of these is that posed by ignorance of how to make proper use of
Electronic Cash services.
With the world acclimatising and reallocating to computers, it was
only a matter of time before the money market too hopped onto the
techno bandwagon, hoping to make monetary transaction easier; no
more waiting in long queues when going to the bank thanks to ATM
machines and internet banking. Cheques, coins and paper money
are becoming a thing of the past and are being quickly replaced by
easy-to-carry plastic cards. But, not all people are happy about this
transformation; Many older generations, believe that notes-in-hand
are better than numbers-in-a-database, and for good reason. It takes
self-discipline to manage and keep track of finances that go in and
out of bank accounts via credit and debit cards, something which this
generation tends to lack.
A cashless society has also opened the doors to secure exchanges
where almost every purchase and transaction is on record, allowing
for the easy tracking of fraud or theft. However, this in turn
reduces the privacy of individuals that may choose to make certain
transactions without any electronic log or audit trail.
Here in the Sultanate of Oman, there has been a rapid
increase in Electronic Cash usage, even though cash
in hand is still a common practice. The use of ATM
cards – debit and credit cards – have increased over
recent years, and from the look of it, only appears to
be gaining more popularity. And even though there is
nothing wrong with this trend, there is a fear that it
could lead to over spending and debt if not used in the
correct manner.
“Credit cards can be addictive, and if the user isn’t
careful he or she can abuse the use of it. Credit card
transactions are actually money spending that people
don’t need to worry about till the end of the month,
but most people end up forgetting that, and that’s why
most people tend to overspend. You must be able to
handle finances well to make good use of a credit card,
otherwise debit cards are the most suitable option,”
says Mazoon al Lamki, Senior Consultant, Advisory
Services, Ernst & Young.
Fortunately banks in Oman have done a fantastic
job at keeping tabs on spending and loans in the
Sultanate, and managing finances in a way where debts
and deficits can be avoided. Even still, it is important
for the youth of tomorrow to know exactly how the
credit system works and what needs to be done to
successfully handle their finances.
Budgeting plays a crucial part in handling ones
finances, at the same time allowing opportunity
for planning and saving for times in need. A budget
is simply an organised way of managing finances,
providing an overall perspective of where, when, and
how your money is coming in, and how it is being
spent. It’s important to keep the budget flexible, but
not too much, just enough to change according to
circumstances.
18

“Credit cards, in today’s times, is a
necessity and not a luxury. ‘C’ in credit card
offers ‘Cashless Convenience and Comfort
at anytime, anywhere’. It provides flexibility
to operate from the comfort of one’s home,
while facilitating safe, secured and seamless
completion of all transactions”
Mahesh Mankodi
Director of Finance, Oman Airports Management Company
(OAMC)

Budgeting assists in reaching short-term targets, like paying monthly
bills on time, or paying rent. Budgets also come in handy for keeping
tabs on long-term loans like house loans, education loans or car
loans. Keeping a good control on your finances also makes you more
confident about the future.
CREDIT CARDS VS. DEBIT CARDS
Many people find it difficult to choose between a debit card and
a credit card, and quite a few may not even know the difference
between the two. Although they are both forms of Electronic Cash,
they tend to work in different ways. Even though debit cards are much
more popular these days, especially among the young, credit cards still
remain more superior because of the services they offer.
“Credit cards, in today’s times, is a necessity and not a luxury. ‘C’ in
credit card offers ‘Cashless Convenience and Comfort at anytime,
anywhere’. It provides flexibility to operate from the comfort of one’s
home, while facilitating safe, secured and seamless completion of
all transactions,” says Mahesh Mankodi, Director of Finance, Oman
Airports Management Company (OAMC).
Debit cards are relatively easier to use, simply because payments come
out of the checking account instantly, alleviating burdens of credit
card bills and interest rates. Debit cards are very similar to money
in hand, except on a card. Debit cards are also linked to a checking
account, meaning purchases can be limited if need be, unlike with
credit cards. Debit cards are ideal for people running in debt; it makes
it easier to manage expenses. Debit card users also enjoy the benefit of
low-to-no cost when paying with their cards. Most institutions do not
charge for debit card transactions, making it an easier and financially
beneficial for the user.
Credit cards, however, too have their advantages over debit cards.
Credit card users are entitled to a certain grace period, which is
the time between when a purchase is made and when you actually
pay your bill, unlike with debit cards where the money is deducted
immediately from the account. This in turn allows credit card users
the option of withholding payment if unsatisfied with the quality of
a purchase, offering greater protection for credit card users. But, if
paying with a debit card, however, the user’s money has already been
deducted by the time the packaging is opened.
20

Credit purchases are also protected with the Fair Credit Billing Act,
which basically means that the user has zero liability for poor-quality
purchases, damaged merchandise, undelivered goods and fraudulent
purchases. Even though zero liability has been introduced in debit
cards as well, it is a policy that can be changed whenever; therefore
debit card users still don’t get as much protection as credit card users
do.
In my opinion, both debit and credit cards have their pros and cons.
The most ideal use for debit cards would be for smaller, day-today
transactions, like grocery shopping for example, due to limited
consumer protection. Paying by debit card is simple and quick, and the
user won’t require paying interest on frequent use. However, thanks
to the float option that credit cards offer, users can purchase more
expensive goods without really feeling the pinch. Also, because debit
cards have a daily spending limit, buyers would inevitably have to make
use of their credit cards to make large purchases. And finally, when it
comes to online purchases, credit cards are the preferable option as in
the case something goes wrong, the consumer is protected at all times.
Credit control tips
• Save on the annual fee by using a low or no-fee credit card
• Only what you can pay off in full when the bill comes is what
you should charge to your credit cards.
• Make a constant attempt to use your credit card only if
absolutely necessary, otherwise stick to paying by cash or
swiping a debit card.
• Searching for a card with a lower interest rate will help reduce
what you pay on your credit card.
• An important thing to keep in mind is that when you take
a cash advance on your credit card, the interest starts
accumulating immediately and not on the due date of your
credit card bill.
• Also remember that the more monthly repayment you make
the quicker you get out of debt. If you make the minimum
repayment per month it will only burden you longer.

Driving Forward
RoaD SaFety
Words Karima Farid | Photography Jerzy Wierzbicki
We first met Amal Al Zadjali in October 2009 at a local
exhibition, where she thoroughly impressed us with a
campaign that she initiated. We then featured her in
Issue 93 of Y. When I first met Amal I saw determination,
willingness and a passion for saving children’s lives, and
raising awareness about road safety to both parents and
children (but leaning on speaking to children more). Today,
nearly two years later, she still has that flame ablaze. Back
in October 2009 she said to me, “Kids listen and are easier
to speak to than parents. Some parents react as if we are
trying to intrude into their lives. It is just different with
kids, they try to understand us.”
After hard work, and undying enthusiasm, Amal managed
to reach one of her goals, which was to provide a car seat
for infants born in Oman. Just last month, at the First
Regional Road Safety Youth Assembly held in Oman, she
announced that this project is finally underway. This threeday
assembly was a good opportunity for 36 young people
from 24 countries to gather together and talk about road
safety issues in their regions.
We asked Amal to update us on what she has been up to
for the past two years, and what she has planned for the
near future:
Remind us, what is the Awladna Campaign
The Awladna Campaign (Our Children Campaign) is
a private social campaign established by a group of
volunteers to spread awareness of traffic dangers to
children. The campaign has many objectives, which include:
• Reducing the risk of children on the road.
• Educating school bus drivers on the importance of
keeping children safe on the roads and follow all traffic
rules.
• Educate parents on the importance of safety rules and
(putting in place) safeguards to limit accidents.
• Provide assistance to children who have been the victim
of accidents.
How was your journey for the past two years And did the
roads in Oman get safer or worse
It was an amazing journey for me, I met a lot of interesting
people around the world and learned a lot of interesting
stuff and projects from professionals in road safety, who
inspired me to reach to what we achieved today. It is
difficult to decide if the roads in Oman have gotten safer or
not, but you can notice that awareness about road safety is
growing in Oman in a good way, especially after His Majesty
Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s speech about road safety.
22

How can the public help you
We will soon have a special account for the car seat
project, so if any person wishes to donate a car seat,
they can pay 17 rials for a car seat, so we can then
buy a car seat on behalf of the individual and give it to
a newborn baby. The only way this will happen is for
everyone who is capable of contributing to participate
and spread the message to others. This is a very
important subject, and the only way we can manage to
succeed in anything is to unite.
How can the media help you
I wish that the media talked regularly about road safety
matters, just as how Y has been doing, as this matter
can never get old or boring – each article can save a life.
Also, as reporters, they can talk to families that had bad
experiences from car accidents, to share their story with
others. That can also save someone’s life – you never
know.
What message would you like to share with us
Every child is important, and because we the adults are
capable of understanding and thinking on behalf of
really young children, we should be the ones who seat
them properly, not carry them on our laps up front,
and wear our seatbelts all the time, to show them and
educate them from an early age.
How do you manage your time
I do my best to manage my time between my office work
and my charity work and this all comes around my major
consideration, which is my family. I always ensure that
I spend time with my boys and do more activities with
them during weekend. In the evenings, I get more space
to work on the Awladna Campaign – which will always be
ongoing.
Tell us about your 40 Car Seat Project Are the car seats
applicable to all Omanis or only some
Well, it’s a project for children’s car seats in Oman. We
started it with 40 car seats and give them out free for 40
babies. To continue this, we get more donors to buy more
car seats and give them to new born babies in Oman.
What are your next projects
I have many in my mind that I am working on and will
reveal them closer to the time, but one of them is to start
touring for road safety around Oman, in the aim of visiting
many cities and villages to spread awareness regarding
road safety.
Please spread the word of what Awladna Campaign
is trying to do and you might be able to save a life
in doing so. The simple act of wearing a seatbelt is
important and it can save your life. Y is always trying to
get this message across to our readers, but yet, we still
see adults endangering their children and themselves
everyday. Whether it is to tell off your mum, dad, aunt
or uncle, friend, neighbour or even your boss – WEAR
YOUR SEATBELT or DON’T CARRY YOUR CHILD UPFRONT,
EDUCATE YOUR KIDS ON BEHAVING IN A CAR or DON’T
USE YOUR MOBILE WHILE DRIVING – and risking them
getting upset with you, then it is surely worth it!
Spread the word, and save lives. Get in touch with this
inspirational campaign leader and find out how YOU can
help out by logging onto www.awladnaoman.org.
karima@y-oman.com
23

As Sweet As Can Be
by Paul McLoughlin
Anyone who knows Maria Gabol will know about her Sweet Tooth. We’re not
just talking about the bubbly Muscat girl’s love for desserts, but also the
name of her own cake making business. Sweet Tooth has become a firm
favourite amongst fans of cupcakes in Muscat, and it is rapidly becoming
a niche competitor with even the most well known bakeries. For Maria,
this new found fame in the market is nothing new, but down to years of
practice, by carefully honing her baking skills to perfection, down to the
finest of details. Maria says, “I used to bake cakes for friends and family
and then they started saying that they have to pay for them. At first I was a
little hesitant, but then they sort of forced the money on me. This is when it
became a business. I’ve always liked to bake, I’ve always been in the kitchen
and now I have a brand.” After a long period of testing, experimenting and
balancing ingredients, along with the aesthethic appearance of her cakes,
Maria decided to step out into the public sphere with a new found confidence
in her abilities. “I wanted to see if it was going to work or not, so I started
off by doing one event at Boutique Muscat which was a success. Then I
stepped to it! People started placing order after order so I made the boxes
and business cards and it became Sweet Tooth,” she adds.
Maria loves nothing better than to spend her evenings curled
up with a good book, and it is little surprise that one of her
favourite genres is cooking books. “It is just in me, you know
how some things are just in you from a child. I was always in
the kitchen when I was a kid - chopping things or baking. You’d
always see me finding an excuse to go and cook. Most of the
recipes are my own, but some classic recipes have been altered
according to my style,” she says. This entails putting a little bit
of Maria into each cake, saying, “I never follow a recipe even
though most chefs say that baking is like a science and that
you have to follow the recipe. I just create my own chemistry
with food. If it says add one teaspoon of baking soda, I’ll try and
add two. This is what is important in bakery – to have your own
touch.” Maria says that her ultimate goal is to be a food critic,
and this passion for cooking comes from a lifetime of been
weaned on good food. With Omani-Pakistani-Iranian ancestry,
this has only made her all the more eager to experiment and
sample foods from a wide range of cuisines, and push forward
her knowledge of cooking to another level.
24

It’s something which probably runs in Maria’s blood, her
father is the owner and founder of popular restaurant
chain Omar Al Khayam which began its operations on
Muscat back in 1973. Being reared in this household of
both entrepreneurs and food enthusiasts was certainly
a successful recipe for Maria, herself, who now has the
foundations of a successful home business. “All my family
have this ‘cook’ thing in them, but baking is just in me,”
she says. Sweet Tooth now sells around 3 to 4 boxes,
with 25 cupcakes a week. Just via word of mouth Maria
is seeing increasing demand in her products. However,
following in the steps of her entrepreneurial family, she
has not just left it to others to promote her business.
Facebook has been a hugely useful promotional tool for
Maria’s business. The Sweet Tooth group page keeps
fans up-to-date with the latest new cake designs, along
with any exhibitions or fairs Sweet Tooth will be present
at. Maria says, “Just the pictures on Facebook alone sell
a lot of cakes. They see the pictures and order. Then they
usually order again.” Being visual in the community is
another important element behind the brand’s appeal,
with Maria attending as many fairs and exhibitions as
possible, giving Sweet Tooth a direct and personal appeal
with her customers. She points out that is important just
to “hand out menus and remind people I’m here.”
Still, the cupcake industry in Oman is a surprisingly competitive
sector in Muscat, with a growing trend in Omani women starting
up their own cake businesses from home. Maria says, “I definitely
have to be better but I’m wary of expanding too fast, because I don’t
want my personal touch to go away. I’ve never liked commercially
produced cakes. So I don’t want to just go and open up a bakery,
I want to do something different.” This different approach should
not be confused for a lack of passion or insight into the market
– moving slowly has helped Maria perfect the smallest details of
her business and to create a niche product. The ‘cupcake girl’ still
can’t resist the temptation to go shopping for new ingredients for
her cakes even when on holiday, usually bringing back bags of
special items unavailable to cake lovers in Oman. What makes her
really stand out in the market, however, is not just this palpable
passion for good food but also a savvy approach to the market by
offering customers both affordable prices and high-standards of
goods. She says, “Most of the items I use to decorate the cakes
are from outside the country, yet my prices are lower than other
businesses. Most people stick with me because it looks good, it
tastes good and you’re not really paying too much for it.”
If you have a Sweet Tooth, email Maria at
sweettooth.oman@gmail.com or call 96363660
to place your order.

We go ALL Omani this week and bring to you beautiful
things that are handmade by lovely Omani women
who we were fortunate to meet through Y. Women in
Oman continuously impress us, and if you feel that you
have something to show us then please don’t hesitate to
email us what you have been making.
Kosh by Najla Al Kindi
Kosh is a beautiful collection that Najla Al Kindi is working on that features
foot accessories and shoes. It is inspired by Omani materials, and is a
mixture of the traditional and modern. Najla got interested in designing
shoes through ‘When Authenticity Speaks’ in 2006 and participated in the
2007 competition, where her work earned her an award. Her gorgeous
shoes are available at Layali Al Asalah. To get in touch with this Omani talent
please email her on najla_alkindi@hotmail.com.
Uyoon Al Reem Fashion by Nadine Al Riyami and Hameeda
Al Mughairy
Uyoon Al-Reem Fashion offers exquisite modernised Burqas with unique
customised designs and colours for all occasions. I personally have my own
personalised Burqa that I wore during one of my bridal celebrations, so when
are you getting yours These Burqas are fun and
perfect for masquerade parties, bridal events and
bridal showers, and also make of nice souvenir from
Oman. Contact these lovely girls via their Facebook
page ‘Uyoon Al Reem Fashion’ and get your own
personalised Burqa.
K.E Designs by Ghadeer Al Ghazali
Ghadeer Al Ghazali, is the brand owner of the unique handbag collection K.E Designs. Her designs
are authentic, creative and simply lovely. You can get a customised handbag with your name and
a poem or even a stenciled image imprinted on the bag; or even just a simple elegant handbag
with a matching abaya designed just for you! To contact Ghadeer to acquire any item from this
beautiful collection, you can do so via the Facebook ‘K.E Designs’ page.
26

Clint Derric Egbert
Strapya Next
Don’t you just hate it when you’re
in a hurry to leave home and you
notice the battery on your phone
is almost exhausted You’re
waiting to make urgent calls, but
you can’t, because the phone
keeps coaxing you to charge it.
But now, with the very cool Mini
Solar Charger Cell Phone Strap,
you can charge your phone on
the go with a little help from
the sun. The Strapya Next can
also store this energy and charge your phone at the same time. It is
capable of charging up to 500 times on a cloudy day and can be used
as a backup battery as well. Small and very smart is this device. For
more information on the product go to www.tokyomango.com/tokyo_
mango/2008/02/mini-solar-char.html
Ice cube Maker
There are very few things
as annoying as finding an
empty ice tray put back
into the freezer without
being refilled by the person
who last used it. You have
to then refill it and wait for
it to freeze, which can take
hours. But thanks to the Ice
Cube Maker that is one worry you can
say goodbye to. Built to make ice cubes in just 12 minutes and in
four different sizes, and produce 18kgs of ice in 24 hours, this device
is sure to please people who require ice in a hurry. So the next time
you’re having a party or rushing out for a picnic, and quick ice is a
requirement, then remember the Ice Cube Maker is here to save the
day – and your time. Priced at 87 rials, you can find out more about
this product by logging on to www.ubergizmo.com/2008/03/icecube-maker-machine.
SNak for facebook
With Facebook now the largest
social networking site in the world,
the latest keyboard SNAK (Social
Network Access Keyboard) designed
specially for Facebook users couldn’t
have come at a better time. Making
Facebook access easier and more
user-friendly, this keyboard makes
life for the average Facebook users
so much more pleasurable. Designed
just like a regular USB keyboard, this
device stands out thanks to its 19
hotkeys that gives instant access to
various features on Facebook such
as one touch access to messages,
events, groups, edit profile, help centre,
privacy settings, photos, games, links,
and much more. All that is required is
a quick software install on the PC and
you’re ready to go. Available for just
$30 (12 rials) you can purchase your
SNAK www.socialkeyboards.com/store.
Battle of the
Consoles
Gaming is a popular pastime the world
over, and competition is no joking
matter. Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 from
Microsoft and PlayStation 3 from Sony
have been locking horns for quite some
time now, updating and upgrading to
match each other’s standards, if not in
an attempt to beat them. But from latest
reports, Wii has managed to sell 721,000
consoles this month, comfortably
beating Xbox 360 which touched the
262,000 mark, and PlayStation 3 that sold
257,000 systems. The initial reason for
Wii’s success is said to be it’s hit game
Super Smash Bros. Brawl, which sold
2.7 million copies in one month earning
itself the title of this month’s top selling
game. Something tells me it shouldn’t
be long before Sony and Microsoft
come up with something special of their
own. If not, this is a battle they appear
to be losing.
Driving to the future
The recently introduced EN-V is no fairground
ride, but there are still similarities. In fact,
this futuristic piece of technology now paves
the way for the automobile industry to go onto
bigger and better things, introducing for the
first time a truly ‘hands-free’ form of driving.
Built from carbon fibre, the EN-V is smaller than
a Smart car and is capable of cruising down the
road at a max speed of 25 miles per hour. It is
so designed to stop before obstacles, such as
pedestrians and road dividers, and it is also
enabled t to come to its owner when called with
the help of a Smart phone. The machine sports
zero-degree turning radius that allows drivers
to manoeuvre the car into the tightest of spaces.
The EN-V is, however, not fitted with suspension,
making bumps and humps a little difficult and
uncomfortable. It’s difficult to believe that
anyone would go in for the machine right now,
but it is still expected to be released in 2030 so
possible buyers have quite some time to decide
whether they want to purchase one.
27

A
WINNING
FORMULA
Words & Photography Kiran Jay Haslam
28

Haitham Sulaiman Mohammed Al-Saqri and Maher
Sulaiman Abdullah Al-Shibani are two very talented drivers.
Put them in a run-of-the-mill road car, and although they
will display high levels of driving skill, they are safe and
conscious of other road users, as well as the law. They stick
to the speed limit, wear their seatbelts, and are courteous
to those around them.
From this behaviour you would never know they could
push formula derived single-seater race cars around on
an F1 track at break-neck speeds, tear into the pits like a
‘Villeneuve’, Heel-and-toe downshift like ‘Barichello’, and
overtake their competitors with razor-sharp precision.
But they do just that, and all in their spare time. However,
this part-time approach is all about to change, because
now they are making it their business to race on behalf of
Oman. And both Haitham and Maher wave not one but
two flags: one for road safety, and the other proudly for
their nation.

I first met Haitham and Maher in an office block overlooking
the service road in Al Khuwair. They both immediately
struck me as confident gentlemen, and won me over by
citing Ayrton Senna as their hero. A refreshing change from
the ‘Schumacherphiles’ I meet every day. Having proved
themselves racing go-karts at tracks both here and abroad,
the pair were quick to explain how they entered the sport
and why they love it so much. They take racing seriously;
they live it each and every day. The picture they paint is one
of international racing success and clearly they both want
to be the first Omani circuit-racing star to dominate the
international scene.
But underlying their sporting dreams lies a much more
serious agenda. The two are committed to improving road
safety, and correcting the tainted image of fast cars and
racing here in Oman. “When I see a young Omani guy driving
recklessly, with his mirror pitched vertically, I have two
reactions; at first I want to laugh, but then I want to get out
of my car, stop him and explain how idiotic his behaviour
really is, and how he is stifling people who are truly
passionate about cars.” Haitham believes that this widespread
behaviour is a clear sign that positive steps must be put in
place to curb reckless driving. “It is no good being forceful
with these drivers, because first you need to explain better
road safety. They don’t know otherwise. If you tell someone,
“Hey, don’t think about a juicy delicious hamburger, what are
they gonna do Straight away the hamburger goes into their
mind, right It is the same with speeding and reckless driving.
We need a different approach rather than hidden speed
cameras and severe punishment.”
But in order for these kids to vent their frustration,
along with their enthusiasm for speed, Oman needs
to develop a high level of road safety and car culture,
then, a real race track could follow, professionally
built and professionally managed, so that school
children, teenagers and adults alike have a place to
experience controlled motorsports and advanced
driver training. Discussing this with Maher and
Haitham I seem to have struck a nerve. “The ROP,
Ministries, and various government institutions
can be involved, and the efforts can be translated
into road safety campaigns that are truly effective.
I would like to see our efforts translate into fewer
accidents on the road,” explains Maher. And this
indeed seems to be what the pair are championing
with their new Formula Oman Team.
Formula Gulf 1000 is a new one-make series of
racing that separates the men from the boys.
That’s the purpose of formula motorsports after all;
controlled tyres, identical cars, and industry leading
technology roar in perfect harmony to identify true
talent. Suzuki’s Hayabusa engine provides enormous
grunt, approximately 150bhp, and in the 400kg
‘4130’ chrome-moly chassis, that equates to a powerto-weight
ratio of 375bhp per tonne. For those that
don’t know, that is Ferrari-like power. Formula Gulf
1000 brakes are ‘face tearingly fierce’, and combined
with massive down force from an adjustable
aerodynamic package these cars are a step closer to
young racers getting into Formula 1.
30

I joined Haitham and Maher on a gruelling
day of fitness and qualifying at Yas Island
last week. It is all part of the Formula
Gulf 1000 series. There is a focus on the
development of driver skills and media
skills, improvement of fitness, and drivers
are coached by the most experienced
professionals in the industry. I looked on as
Caveman Fitness – who recently impressed
F1’s Sebastian Vettel with a tailored fitness
programme – pushed the two Omani
drivers to the brink. Sweating profusely
and with muscle tissue literally on fire,
Maher crouches over and tells me, “This
is insane. They strapped this parachute to
me, and I have to sprint 100 metres each
way, five times!” As he runs the parachute
wrenches him left and right, and twists
his torso. He fights it and manages to
do it in an incredible time. On another
station swings Haitham. He is punching
into the coach, and as he tires he starts
to use his legs to knee into his imaginary
opponent. “I couldn’t time it. I was so tired
and frustrated with myself. I know I can
do better.” Haitham moves on to the next
obstacle for more torture.

March 22, 2011 Issue 162
In this round they compete with other young drivers from
The United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, India, and
Malaysia. It is tough, however, at the end of this qualifying
session they will be ranked to participate in a championship
that will see one talented driver behind the wheel of a
Formula Renault BARC single-seater for a season of racing in
the UK. Watching Haitham and Maher, it is entirely feasible
that an Omani driver could be the next great hope for
Formula 1. The only thing holding them back is support,
although the pair will never admit it. “We are determined to
take this to the next level, and if we both make it, we’ll fight
it out to see who is best at that time,” Haitham declares.
“We can do it, I believe we can. Sayyid Mohammed bin
Ali Al Said initially gave us the biggest push. He has been
instrumental in the formation of the team and he introduced
us to the Entrepreneurship Organisation that is now giving us
tremendous support. Mr. Hritik. A. Kimji is very involved too,
and his efforts have also been invaluable.”
But as I stated earlier, what they really need is even more
support. In my mind, the two young hopefuls will not only
put Oman on the motorsports map, but will help to shape
a brighter future for road safety and driver education in the
country. They need private enterprise, entrepreneurs, and
institutions to get behind them. Sponsorship will make all
the difference, so these two talented drivers can concentrate
on racing and fitness, and leave the fundraising to others.
They’ve managed to get into the series, now they have to win
it and find partners to take them to the world stage.
The day ends with a gripping three-hour session under lights. It
is the first time either driver has raced under these conditions.
“I’m really excited. The car is fantastic, and although the tyres
are really cold and hard the lateral forces through the turns are
exceptional. These cars are faster than Formula BMW cars and
all week I’ve been waiting for this night session.” Maher, already
suited up, holds a Hans racing harness in one hand and his helmet
in the other. The Yas hotel changes colour in the darkness behind
us, and all of the cars line up in pit lane. There is one final briefing
from driving ace Andy Pardoe, and I manage to catch all the
jitters on camera. Haitham is smiling, although I can see a steely
determination stirring.
The cars scream upon start-up; it is a glorious sound. A data
logger will capture every throttle blip, gear change, steering
movement and engine parameter. A video system will allow every
moment to be relived. At the end of this session it all boils down
to lap times, longitudinal and latitudinal G-forces, brake pressure,
and consistency. This is the real deal; formula racing at its most
competitive.
During the course of the day our conversation weaves around
ideas to spread advanced driver training and a clear message
of road safety to all corners of the Sultanate. The young
racers are excited by the prospect of using their skills and
newly acquired experience to travel with a road show that
can educate school children and teens, and to effectively
assist in implementing a system for safer roads in the
country.
32

If you’d like to enquire about
sponsorship/partnership, email
omanformulateam@hotmail.com
To interact with the team at their
facebook fan page, search for
'Omanformulateam'
In the coming weeks we will be following the Formula Oman Team, Maher and
Haitham, on their journey. They have set up a page for their growing number of fans
and supporters on Facebook; we’ll bring you exclusive interviews from the drivers,
the team and their sponsors, and stunning images, too.

Clint Derric Egbert
Weaving the Net of Success

The Omani netball squad steps into the limelight,
bravely surging forward in the InterGulf Netball
Championship, earning them a reputable fifth
place overall in the competition
There is no doubt that the Sultanate of Oman is quickly
becoming a sporting nation, producing some of the
best sporting athletes in the Arab region. Soccer, motor
racing, bodybuilding, hockey, tennis and beach sports
are some of the many sports that have grown over the
years. The most recent sport to have emerged from the
shadows, and has made tremendous progress over the
recent years, is netball. The sport has been dominated
by women the world over and today Oman has its very
own netball team – and a great one at that.
Recently back from the InterGulf Netball Championship,
which was held in Al Ain from March 3rd to 5th,
2011, the Oman netball team, consisting of 11 girls,
participated in a grueling competition against 13 other
professional teams. Competing in a tournament in which
240 players participated, our very own Oman team
clinched a very respectable fifth place against some of
the toughest veteran squads in the region; a feat that is
truly admirable especially taking into the consideration
the fact that they are a fairly new team.
Y got the opportunity to meet with Janise Maddens the
coach and captain of the Oman netball team – who was
also voted and awarded the player of the tournament,
the highest individual award earned in the game – to talk
about the progress of netball as a sport here in Oman,
and talk about their recent achievement as a team at the
recently held InterGulf Netball Championship.
Excerpts from the interview:
Do you feel netball is a growing sport here in
Oman
There has definitely been a lot more interest this year.
We had a significant number of entries that turned up.
We had a stronger team this year and a much stronger
defence, which was very different from before. Netball
has grown a lot over the years. I remember in 1993
the game was taken very casually, but this year the
tournament was very competitive. Sponsorship too has
grown, and that’s just great. We would like to take this
opportunity to thank our sponsors for their support this
year, who were Y Magazine, ID Tech, Delmon Hotel Group
and Risktec. Thanks to the funding we managed to get
the necessary gear that we required to compete, like
proper uniforms that made us feel and look good when
competing.
How do you think the team faired at the InterGulf
Netball Championship held in Al Ain recently
This year we played in the competitive pool, which meant the
games were harder and the competition fiercer. Even still, we
did incredibly well and gave the rest of the competition a bit
of a scare. Many of the other teams underestimate the Omani
team, but this year we gave them reason not to do so. We
played against Dubai, which is one of the stronger teams; they
won, but were only able to beat us by a couple of goals. This
stands as testament to the improvement we have made as a
team.
What do you feel should be done to improve netball in
Oman And what kind of support would you require to
promote netball further
The team trains in ABA, which is where we promote the
sport as well. We believe that more schools in Oman should
adopt the sport and teach it to their students. Unfortunately,
we don’t have enough money; otherwise we would definitely
compete more often. So, sponsorship is always welcomed and
appreciated.
What kind of coaching and training do the players
undergo to stay in shape
Melinda Clarke, a friend of mine, came all the way from Korea
where she stays, to help me coach the team; such is the
kind of dedication we have towards the team and the sport.
I thank her dearly for her support. It’s very difficult to coach
and play at the same time, and playing in the tournament was
very stressful and strenuous. People may think netball is an
easy sport, but it’s actually very challenging. We played many
long and tough games over a span of two days, and in the
heat, directly under the sun; so we undergo vigorous training
to prepare ourselves for that. Netball is no easy sport; it can
sometimes get very rough. I myself came back with black
and blue marks after the matches. Elbows here and there can
leave you bruised for a few days, but it’s all part of the game.
Kristen Andrews played centre, and her fitness is great. She
did a great job of feeding the ball to me on many occasions,
from which I was able to score for the team.
What is the team selection process like
Choosing the team wasn’t easy at all. We had many girls try
out but we could only settle for the best eleven. We are looking
forward to a junior competition in April and are hoping to
promote them well. It’s important that children start young and
are given the necessary support.
We at Y would like to congratulate the Oman netball team for
their accomplishments thus far and wish them the very best
for their future endeavours both on and off the court.

Al Harthy gears up again
He’s won the nation over with
his talent on track, earned
the respect of some of the
best racers in the world; his
achievements are tremendous,
and he’s back, and hungry for
more glory
Revving and ready to go, Omani racing star Ahmad Al Harthy has confirmed at a press
conference held recently that he is prepared to return to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB
Championship this year; and he owes it to the support of some of the country’s largest and
most prestigious businesses.
Oman Air has generously opted to increase its commercial involvement as a full title
sponsor for this year and telecommunications company Nawras continues to support for
the second season. The National Bank of Oman, Brand Oman, Ministry of Sports Affairs
and the Ministry of Tourism too confirm their continuous support, with Al Harthy carrying
on with his role as Brand Ambassador.
Thoroughly pleased with his comeback and the support from his sponsors Al Harthy
expresses his gratitude saying, “I’m absolutely delighted to be able to confirm my return to
the Porsche Carrera Cup GB this year, it’s a fantastic championship. I have to thank Oman
Air, Nawras, National Bank of Oman, Brand Oman, the Ministry of Sports Affairs and the
Ministry of Tourism for their amazing support. Without them I wouldn’t be racing and I
wouldn’t have the privilege of flying the flag for Oman.”
The new season begins at Brands Hatch in Kent on the 2nd and 3rd of April, and will
conclude on the 15th and 16th of October at the Silverstone in Northamptonshire. In late-
June, Al Harthy will be looking forward specially to experiencing his first-time thrill of the
world-famous Nurburgring-Nordschleife in Germany – one of motorsports most sought
after challenges.
Al Harthy fans can indulge in his first official appearance of this year on the annual Porsche
Carrera Cup GB Media Day taking place on 22nd March at the Snetterton 300 Circuit in
Norfolk, and can keep track of his progress in the year by visiting his Facebook fan page
at www.facebook.com/pages/Ahmad-Al-Harthy/111700892183537 or on Twitter@
AlHarthyRacing.
Drag-on to the Finish
Spitting fire from its exhausts, these weren’t just vehicles
racing to the finishing line but instead enraged dragons hungry
for glory
Speed enthusiasts in the Gulf have something to cheer about as the
Yas Drag Racing Centre brings the fuel, fire and fury of drag racing
to the Middle East region. Sporting state-of-the-art facilities specially
designed for drag racing, the venue is a hub for motor aficionados,
bringing the thrill of a rocketing car into a controlled environment.
Hosts of the Drag Racing Festival, Yas, welcomed 65 leading drag
racers from across the GCC to participate in the competition that
saw a wide range of purpose-built drag cars and motorcycles roar
down the track. The competition was divided into seven classes of
professional racing – Pro Modified, Outlaw 10.5, Super Eliminator
(7.50 Index), Pro Bike, Super Street Bike, Pro 6 and Super Street 8.
Ecstatic about the number of entrants, Head of the Yas Drag Racing
Centre, Rashed Al Qubaisi said prior to the competition, “It will be a
great turn-out of our region’s leading drivers. Even more pleasing is
the increased number of countries in the region that we are attracting
entrants from. It shows the increasing popularity of drag racing in
the GCC.”
Already made popular last year after being named the ‘Motorsport
Event of the Year’ by CAR Middle East magazine, and drawing in
crowds of 5,000 people, this year’s demonstrations from Martin Hill in
the world’s fastest jet-powered Funny Car and Rod Fuller, interacting
with spectators simply adds to its popularity and success.
Lucky spectators also got the rare opportunity to ride in a three-seat
Super Comp dragster, an experience that is sure to stay with them
for a long time. Another memorable moment for fans present at the
event was to see Yas Top Fuel driver Hot Rod Fuller go head-to-head
with FIA Top Fuel World Champion, Urs Erbacher.
“Yas Marina Circuit is proud to organise such an event and we are
looking forward to bringing some new experiences for our UAE fans
to build on last year’s successful event,” Al Qubaisi said before the
event.
36

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and you'll get the next 6 minutes free within the same call! To benefit from
this special promotion, send a blank SMS * to 80020.
- Valid for calls during off-peak time, from 8:00 pm till 6:00 am Saturday to Thursday and all day on Friday.
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- This offer is valid till 20th May 2011 and for all Nawras mobile customers.
* The SMS will be charged at the standard SMS rate of 10 bz.
For more information, please visit www.nawras.om, or your closest Nawras store or call 9501 1500.

March 22, 2011 Issue 162
The 1st Palestinian
Expo in Oman
38

March 22, 2011 Issue 162
Road Safety Exhibit at
Muscat City Centre
39

March 22, 2011 Issue 162
Spring Tunes 2
by Vikram Hazra
40

March 22, 2011 Issue 162
Panasonic - Launch
of 2011 Models of Air
Conditioners
41

March 22, 2011 Issue 162
Happy Kindergarten and Happy
Nursery Sports Day
42

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS!
SABCO Media is a cross platform of media vehicles with a key focus on radio, print, and
outdoor media. We have aggressive growth initiatives to ensure we continuously offer strategic
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We are now looking for talented individuals
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Assistant
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MANAGERS
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March 22, 2011 Issue 162
KFWS • MindGym
February 21, 2011
Place a letter in the empty boxes in such a way that each
row across, each column down and each small 9-box square
contain all of the letters listed above the diagram. When
completed, the row indicated will spell our a word or words.
Without rotating the small squares below, try to arrange
them into the pattern shown in the diagram so that the
number next to each large triangle equals the sum of the
four numbers in that triangle.
—1—
45

Each week we are asking our readers to take part in a topical discussion
via Y Magazine's facebook page.
Join the group and you might see your comments printed in next week's
issue!
This week:
News has just been leaked that Kim Kardashian uses the pseudonym “Princess
Jasmine” when checking into hotels - a common thing for celebs looking to
escape harassment from paparazzi and fans. Unlike Kardashian’s innocent
Disney inspired aka, Lindsay Lohan uses the name of adult film star “Linda
Lovelace”. If you were a celeb and had to hide your identity, what name would
you choose to use
Paroma banerjee Dasgupta
Well i would use my nickname "teetan" to hide my identity.....but if this secret also gets leaked
as in case of Lindsey Lohan and Kardashian i would settle with Diana in loving memory of the
most beautiful princess of all times !!
Noushath Shaffi S
I would rather prefer the names of legendary people whom I love a lot and who are no more
alive... :-)
Nass Al Abdul Salam
hmmm...ill go with my normal name :) or maybe Eminem :)
Chandan bhat
i'll go with my pet name chandy since only my friends know
SOLUTIONS
CroSSWorD
LETTEr boX
TrY SquArES

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