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Dear Reader,The world economic crisis has given many of usthe chance to think and reflect on the systemof banking we would like to see established.For many of us in Oman, Islamic Banking hasbecome an attractive alternative to the complexbanking systems in place in much of the world.Details of Oman’s Islamic Banking laws andregulations will be released later this year, butwe provide a glimpse into what the systemcould mean for you, how banking has evolvedworldwide, and show you the early detailsof services you can expect with fascinatinginterviews with Oman Arab Bank and Ahlibankrepresentatives. We’re sure you will find itinformative and interesting.Also in the issue, Sue Hall tells us about herupcoming, daring trip to the Arctic, all in aid ofspreading some much needed awareness aboutthe cause. We wish her the best of luck. We alsotake you on a pulsating journey to the Red BullLast Man Standing event, which took place lastweekend. Plus, all the latest news and reviewsfrom Oman and abroad.We hope you enjoy the issue.Y Team4

This week inDecember 13, 2011 Issue 1989Twentyfour SevenMuscat Eye Laser Center, Ernst & Young, Nawras14Check This OutEvents, Spaloon, Viral Video, Essence Spa,Sing Christmas, Gautier24SpotlightSue Hall'sarcticadventure38X-tra TimeRed Bull - Last Man Standing32 VentureBid Bid Fort45 ChillaxativeCrosswords, Social Media626Y-ratedIslamicBankingSayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi Editor-in-Chief | Paul McLoughlin Work EditorKarima Farid Chief Reporter | Clint Derric Egbert Sports Writer/PhotographerJerzy Wierzbicki Photographer | Shrikant Akojwar Art Director/DesignEihab Abutaha General Manager | Feroz Khan Director of Sales & Marketing | Ayman Canawati Logistics ManagerFor editorial enquiries, email info@y-oman.com | Published by SABCO Press, Publishing & Advertising LLC | Y is a SABCO Media Product.

December 13, 2011 Issue 198LASER SHARP TREATMENTMuscat Eye Laser Center is one of the Sultanate’s leading eye-clinics, and theydo their best to assure that patients are taken care of. Until recently, patients whosuffered from severe damage to the corneas only had the choice to go through afull-thickness corneal transplant, a procedure where the entire cornea has to bereplaced. However, lately, a new innovative procedure has been mastered, and thisis great news for all in Oman.The outcome, says Dr. Juan G. Graviria, Scientific Director, is that patients nowenjoy better outcomes, faster recovery and even enhanced visual results. “MuscatEye Laser Center has been quick to embrace the benefits of an ongoing revolutionin corneal transplantation techniques and approaches to deliver superior outcomesfor patients with corneal problems. Through such groundbreaking, layered surgicalapproaches, we can now customise corneal transplant surgery for individualpatients, thereby ensuring significantly enhanced outcomes.”He goes on to say, “In all of these diseases and conditions, we can now offera nuanced, layered approach to corneal transplantation with considerablyimproved outcomes. Patients no longer need to travel abroad for such treatmentand can instead get themselves operated at our world-class facilities at Shatti AlQurum, thereby ensuring they also receive the requisite follow-up care from theirsurgeon.”For more information, or to find out more about Muscat Eye Center’s range ofservices, visit the website www.muscateye.com or blog http://muscateye.blogspot.com/

December 13, 2011 Issue 198DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?In last week’s issue of Y, we told you about how this year’sMuscat Youth Summit laid emphasis on the importanceof social entrepreneurship in Oman. This week, we weredelighted to hear about the launch of Ernst & Young’s‘Entrepreneur of the Year 2012’ awards in Oman, dedicatedto promote the principles of entrepreneurship in thecountry. Rajeev Singh, Partner and ‘Entrepreneur of theYear Leader’ at Ernst & Young, Muscat said, “I’m delightedthat this year the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ programme willbe running as a country programme in Oman for the firsttime. Globally, every year the Ernst & Young ‘Entrepreneurof the Year’ award gives entrepreneurs the recognitionthey deserve. Even in the most challenging times, thesebusiness pioneers are looking for opportunity and continueto proactively take calculated risks to grow.’Although this is the first year of the programme in Oman, ithas been hugely successful in supporting corporate talentin the 135 cities it has been running in over the past 23years, and a sign of the changing competitive nature ofbusiness in Muscat. To be eligible, applicants must have,or have been, the owner or executive of a business that isnot a subsidiary or division, and be primarily responsiblefor the success of their business. They must also have asignificant equity shareholding in the business and chiefoperations must be based in the country. Ernst & Youngare looking for entrepreneurs who have demonstratedexcellence and extraordinary success in areas suchas innovation, financial performance and personalcommitment to their business and community – all thequalities of a good entrepreneur. The awards expected inOman will be for ‘Entrepreneur of the Year, Oman’, wherethe winner will fly out to Monte Carlo to represent thecountry at the ‘World Entrepreneur of the Year’ awards,next year, and ‘Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year’ forcompanies that have been around for two years, and havemade a big impact in the market.Self-nominations are encouraged and there is no fee toenter, so if you think you have what it takes to compete,pick up an application at the Ernst & Young office or contact24559559, extension 9506, for more information.10

December 13, 2011 Issue 198NAWRAS GRABSCORPORATE FINANCEAWARDOne of the nation’s most customer-friendlycommunications providers, Nawras, hasanother award to add to the very many ithas earned since its initiation. This timethey have managed to clinch the 'CorporateFinance Award 2011' for its ‘Initial PublicOffering (IPO)’ at the ACT Middle East Dealsof the Year Awards held in Dubai recently.The company has been recognised andapplauded for its outstanding corporatetreasurers, as well as the team thatworked so hard to ensure that theircompany maximised the chances of itssuccess. Chief Financial Officer, JorgenLatte said, “Nawras has always adopteda pleasingly different approach and theIPO continued this tradition. One of themost important points learnt from the IPOwas never to underestimate the need forpublic information, especially in the retailmarket. Nawras was the first in Oman tointroduce the book build process and wedevoted a lot of time to ensuring that thiswas communicated clearly both in Arabicand English languages through variousmediums.”Nawras’ IPO was the largest in Omansince 2005, and the largest to have evertaken place in the GCC since 2009. Ali,Abdul Sahib Al-Moosa, Nawras TreasuryController, represented the company andhis country with pride at the event, andwas sent to collect the award in recognitionof the successful execution and resultsof the IPO. The ceremony was a grandsuccess that was attended by corporatetreasurers and finance managers fromcompanies and organisations across theGCC, as well as guests and representativesof the ACT Middle East. Matthew Hurn,Executive Director, Mubadala DevelopmentCorporation, and Chairman ACT MiddleEast, said, “The ACTME is delighted tocongratulate all the winners of theseawards which recognise the work of someoutstanding treasurers and their teams incircumstances which have been difficultfor a number of years. This is the thirdyear of these awards and they have grownin significance and stature each of thoseyears. We look forward to recognising thegrowing influence of treasurers and theACTME in coming years.”12

December 13, 2011 Issue 198EventsDo you have an upcoming event? Drop us a mailat info@y-oman.com and your event could befeatured in the next issue of Y!PERFUMES: A NATURAL HISTORY INFRANCE AND OMAN21st November to 20th January 2012The Omani Ministry of Heritage and Culture, and the FrenchEmbassy, present a new exhibition in continuation of their culturalcooperation. This event is taking place at Bait Al Fransa, theFrench-Omani Museum. It will be open to the public on Saturdaysthrough to Wednesdays, from 9am to 1pm, and from 5pm to 8pm,and Thursdays from 9am to 1pm.BAHVALAYA10th December to 30th DecemberRegistration for this fun-packed children winter workshop will beheld on 8th and 9th December from 5pm to 7pm at Al Falaj Hotel.The event will also be held at the hotel and guarantees creativeand artistic workshops from experienced teachers and volunteers.Just the thing to get the family into the festive mood.THE HOME SHOW 201113th to 15th December (Tuesday to Thursday)This is the only show in the Sultanate, which focuses on theconstruction, renovation and interior design sectors. The eventwill happen in December, at the Oman International ExhibitionCentre, and you are all invited to check it out.MUMMY AND ME25th – 26th January, 2012Enjoy two exciting days of shopping, resources and expert adviceall under one roof at the Mother and Child Exhibition calledMummy and Me at the Al Noor Hall! There’s lots of fun andentertainment for kids! We visited this event last year, and had ablast! For more information email info@mommyandmeoman.comMUSCAT FESTIVAL IS BACK!January 26th to 23rd FebruaryWe recently found out that Muscat Festival 2012 will commence soon. We will beproviding you with more information on the dates, closer to the time. For now, theexcitement builds with Oman’s traditional arts, culture and heritage, and food fromaround the world! Keep reading Y for more information.2ND OMAN INTERNATIONAL SALSA & DANCEFESTIVAL29th FebruaryThe 2nd Oman International Salsa and Dance Festival (2nd OISDF), organised bythe Oman Salsa Group (OSG) in association with Al Nahda Resort & Spa, is to beheld between 29th February and 3rd March, 2012 at the Al Nahda Resort andSpa, and promises to match or maybe even exceed the success of last year’sfestival. Keep tuned into Y for more information in the coming weeks.14

December 13, 2011 Issue 198JUST FOR MEN!Words | Karima Farid Photography | Jerzy WierzbickiI recently realised that there isn’t much for men here when it comes to spa treatments. For the past coupleof years, I have grown into the habit of being invited to various spas and beauty parlours to check out, and ithas been fun! Last week I heard from a friend that a new spa has opened in Muscat, but she told me that herhusband was invited, and that it was a spa for men. I was amazed, and quickly got in touch with the owner,to tell you, our readers, all about it. After a few phone calls, I managed to immediately get in touch with oneof the owners.Mansoor Murtadha Al Lawati tells us about Spaloon, and how this concept came into being: “Spaloon is afamily-run business, where myself and my two brothers are partners, where every one of us has brought ourexpertise to the table that helped us to realise Spaloon. Thanks to Allah, the relationship and the dynamics wehave all been motivated by, in order to come up with such concepts.“Born and raised in Muscat, Mansoor was awarded a scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education, tocomplete his further education in Canada. After spending a year there he moved to San Diego, California to geta Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. After spending six years there and travelling around the world hesaid: “I finally came home and started to work for a oil & gas company. Till today, I work as an engineer in thedaytime and a businessman at night. Currently, I am getting my MBA done here in Oman.”Mansoor tells us that the concept of Spaloon came into reality from a very small idea and it kept building up towhat they have now. The idea came from one of his brothers, who are ‘spa fanatics’. Basically, he used to dosomething we all do, which is going to different places for different services. That’s how Spaloon came to life,the brothers and partners wanted to open up something that had everything in it in one facility.Ladies, are you interested in directing your men in the correct path? And men, are you ready to surprise yourwomen by actually going to Spaloon and then telling her all about it? If yes, here is a list of services that youcan expect.Spaloon is basically a spa and saloon for men, where the name came from, and they integrated both wordsinto one. Spaloon’s saloon offers shaving, haircuts and styling, hair treatment, hair straightening and facials.Spaloon’s spa offers manicures and pedicures, a Moroccan hammam (bath), a steam room, advanced facials,and specialised massages. Spaloon is located in the premium location of Qurum near Qurun Private School.Mansoor tells us about what special services Spaloon offers: “Our target guests are all ages. We acceptanyone who walks into Spaloon. We do have special rooms made especially for fathers and sons, where afather can bring his son and have a treatment while his kid is also getting one. The room is themed for kids inorder for them to get comfortable. Our VIP Room caters to guests who want to have their own privacy whilehaving a hair cut, a shave or nail services. Apart from that, the products we are using come from Italy and areonly used here by prominent people in Muscat.”16

December 13, 2011 Issue 198Spaloon are using the finest products for men’s skincare and grooming, for example Vitaman from Australia, RAW Men USA - exclusive to Spaloon; this is a peelingtreatment which is perfect for a groom. Also, the best massage oils from Les Sans de Marrekech as well as for the hammam and body wraps.We asked Mansoor about what he was trying to achieve by opening an ‘only for men’ Spa, and he replied, “The message we are trying to send is that its men’stime to get pampered and its the men’s time to get a nice and relaxing treatment after a long day at work. Moreover, that Spaloon is a one-stop-shop for menwhere they can get all the treatments that they are looking for in one location, and we wanted to change the perception about spas and salons. Also, we wantedto impart the importance of having 5-star services outside of hotels, where standards and hygiene are of utmost importance to us.”Spaloon has a membership for six months and also a year, where our guests can purchase them in advance. With that you will receive a personalised locker and anadvantage of prior booking for any treatment you may want. They also offer lockers annually and you can have your own personal kit every time you visit Spaloon.Aside from that, Mansoor tells us that they are happy to be launching different packages including a ‘Grooming Package’ for grooms-to-be, which will include ahaircut, shave, manicure and pedicure, massages and facials.Guests can reach them and book an appointment by calling them on numbers that are available on their Facebook page: ‘Spaloon Oman: Spa + Salon for Men’.You can also email them directly at spaloon.oman@gmail.com. Spaloon is open from 10am to 10pm. I would like to wish Mansoor and his partners the bestof luck, and congratulate them on this new business! Gentlemen, make sure you check this Omani business out; after all, you are promised a unique and relaxingexperience!17

December 13, 2011 Issue 198AN APPLE A WEEK…TIPS & TRICKS- IPHONE SECRET APPSWords| Karima FaridHow many times has an iPhoneuser asked you for help? Howmany times have you known theanswer to these questions, butdon’t know exactly how to explainit? This application might be youranswer, because the only way foryou to know everything about thedevice that you are using, is to readeverything about it! This applicationallows you to get to know all thetricks you need to have a smoothexperience with your iPhone.This app is easy to use, beautifullydesigned, and most importantly, it is the ultimate guide to hidden features, shortcuts, tips and tricks. This appis cheap and will only take you seconds to install, but you will have so much to learn.18

December 13, 2011 Issue 198Viral VideoJOHN LEWIS CHRISTMAS COMMERCIALThe year 2011 saw some dramatic changes in the UK with riots, strikes and economic recession. Cynicism,however, has never been in short supply in the UK, but this viral video highlights a public more ready toquestion, dissect and criticise corporate actions, and even the most innocent of Christmas commercials.British retail giant John Lewis’ attempt to get viewers into the holiday spirit got off to a good start with the launchof this Christmas-themed TV commercial a few weeks ago. It shows a restless, frustrated child, impatientlycounting down the days to Christmas. The teary-eyed TV pundits lapped up the charm, sentimentality andinnocence of the ad, admiring its clever composition and performance from the young child actor. It wasdubbed as the `Best Christmas Commercial ever', and even the terminally morose singer Morrissey, whosesong ‘Please, Please, Please’ was used in the video, said he was ‘very happy’ with the end result.That was until Morrissey fans criticised the singer for exploiting one of the most cherished songs of his oldband The Smiths, saying that it was a cheap sell out of his anti-establishment ideals. Then accusations ofracism hit the firm, saying the ‘model white family’ imagery John Lewis uses isn’t in-keeping with the multiethnicnature of the UK. Even the cynics claimed it was cynical of the brand to use a sweet child and the spiritof Christmas to blackmail viewers into spending, at a time when many families in the UK are feeling the pinchdue to the country’s economic crisis.Check out the link to the video for yourself on the Y Facebook Page www.facebook.com/ytabloid, and letus know what you think.NEW LOOKNEW FOODComing soon to Almouj Marina, The Wave, Muscatpizzaexpress.com.om19

December 13, 2011 Issue 198RELAX, RELAX AND JUST RELAX…Words | Karima Farid Photography | Jerzy Wierzbicki20The weather is absolutely charming and visiting different parts of the Sultanate seemslike a very good idea at the moment. But once you get back to town, as I was last week,and start looking for a place to relax and fix any aches you have, then Essence SpaMuscat could be your perfect answer.Last week, I visited Essence Spa Muscat for the very first time with my friend Amira,and we both had a fantastic experience! From the moment we entered, to the momentwe left, it was pure relaxation, hospitality and loveliness. Located conveniently at AlInshirah Street, just at the beginning of Madinat Al Ilam, it took us just a few minutes toget there.As we entered and closed the door behind us, all the worries of our busy lives meltedaway. We were welcomed and seated, and graciously attended to. The lady at thereception was very sweet, and in just minutes two karkadi (hibiscus) teas were given tous. This is known to be their signature essence tea, and it was delicious and is known forits many health benefits. Along with a cold towel, we were ready to get to our massagerooms; Amira and I parted and went to different rooms.Amira chose the ‘Mother-to-be Pregnancy Massage’, which lasts an hour, and when Idecided to review this for Y, this is what she said about it: “It was the best experience ever! Every pregnant lady needs this. Total relaxation! With all the changesthat happen during pregnancy it can get really hectic, so this massage is just perfect for all pregnant ladies! From the karkadi tea to the relaxing and calming,beautifully scented room, to the massage, it's all amazing! After you complete your massage, you are given some tea and dates, and that was perfect too. EssenceSpa is really where you truly feel like you are at another level of relaxation!”I chose the 'Deep Tissue Back Massage’, which lasts half an hour. This massage promises to relieve tension, stress and aching muscles, and I promise you it didmuch more that! I walked in there feeling sore, because my back aches were ongoing for a few weeks, but half-an-hour later, I felt like a new person. It’s like themasseuse knew exactly which points of my back were aching and absolutely fixed them. The room is dimly lit, and smells wonderful; everything is placed anddesigned for your comfort.After this pleasurable experience, Amira and I decided we will go back frequently to Essence Spa. Essence Spa is peaceful, serene and the best part is that whenyou get out, you leave feeling invigorated and relaxed. We both left Essence Spa smiling, and are looking forward for our next visit. Ladies, please visit EssenceSpa to get your dosage of relaxation.I would like to thank Oui and Shiela for the beautiful massages, and also the management who supplied us with the pictures. Essence Spa also offers a variety ofservice, such as advanced therapies, manicures and pedicures, and face care. Just an idea, with Christmas coming up, this could be a perfect gift for your lovedone, also for an anniversary, pregnancy or any occasion really; a massage at Essence Spa will be highly appreciated! For more information, please check outwww.essence-spa.com

December 13, 2011 Issue 198'TIS THE SEASON TOBE JOLLY!The holiday season is upon us once again,and to celebrate it The Community Choirand The British School Muscat invite you to‘Sing Christmas’, their annual performanceof Christmas carols and songs for the wholefamily to enjoy. You can catch this delightfulprogramme at the InterContinental HotelMuscat on Wednesday, 14th Decemberat 7pm, and on Friday, 16th Decemberat 4.30pm at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel(just in time for Afternoon Tea!) andat the Crowne Plaza on Monday, 19thDecember. As its name suggests, TheCommunity Choir Muscat embraces manydifferent nationalities offering a wealth ofmusical experience, and is coupled withthe burgeoning talents of BSM students,Musical Director Teiron Jones has puttogether a varied and evocative programmeto herald Christmas. So come along andjoin in the festivities – there’s no need tobook.FALCON INSURANCE HAS PARTNERED WITH THE AL NOOR ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLINDTO HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE TO ALLEVIATE THE CHALLENGES OF THE BLIND.BY INSURING YOUR CAR WITH FALCON INSURANCE, YOU NOT ONLY HELP BUILD THE FUTURE OFA BLIND YOUTH, BUT ALSO 10% OF YOUR MONEY IS DONATED TOWARDSTHE AL NOOR ASSOCIATION FOR BLIND.21

December 13, 2011 Issue 198DESIGNS FOR LIVESWords | Paul McLoughlinsingle visit to our showroom. Our designers will visit your home, takethe measurements on site, design the products suitable to your home,considering your tastes, and make sure you get the home which youhave always dreamed of. Moreover, all the Gautier products come witha five-year warranty.What is the trend in interior design in Oman now?From a home furniture perspective, the trends in Oman are followingmore and more international trends. The well-educated and welltravelledyounger generation may be one of the reasons for this, andothers may be people who take vacations abroad or go to UAE duringlong weekends. This gives them a lot of exposure to the internationalmarket and trends. A couple of years back, the specific products/fabrics, colours and styles, were considered and ordered for the Omanimarket, which is no longer true. Today, the Omani market also has thesame products, fabrics and colours which are preferred by internationalconsumers. It is the same product or colour which gets sold at Gautierin their France and London showrooms as the ones that are sold atthe Gautier Oman showroom. The houses here are generally bigger,and so the size of furniture is bigger than what you see in Europe, butGautier has become one of the leading household names in Oman, providing sleek,independent designs that have won over many here in the Sultanate. To find out abit more about the products on offer and Gautier’s worldwide presence, we spoke toSantosh Kasture, CEO, Sharikah Fanniyah Omaniya (Muscat) L.L.C. who gave us thesedetails:Can you tell me more about Gautier and Oman Marketing Company LLC?Gautier is a stylish French furniture brand, with a presence all over the world. OmanMarketing Company, LLC, is a part of one of the most renowned companies in Oman,Sharikah Fanniyah Omaniyah (Muscat) LLC. Established in 1967, Sharikah FanniyahOmaniyah (Muscat) LLC, popularly known as SFO, is the most renowned and leadingcorporate brand in the sultanate of Oman. SFO is specialised in design, manufacturing,sales, installation, the commissioning and maintenance of a wide range of products andspecialties. Principally, these are complete interior solutions - from tiling to flooring,office furniture, storage and security solutions, home furniture, modular kitchensand appliances, catering and laundry equipments, commercial air conditioning andrefrigeration and much more.Oman Marketing Company, LLC is the exclusive distributor of Gautier, the premiumfurniture company in Oman, and hosts an exclusive home furniture showroom in theheart of city, Ruwi.What is so unique about the Gautier brand and products?Let me put it in simple words - comfort, feel, quality and style are the key words forGautier products.Gautier is one of the world’s leading luxury home furniture brands, having a presenceall over the world. All the products in the Gautier showroom have been designed andmanufactured at the Gautier world-class manufacturing facility in France. Gautier hasmanaged to retain the French touch in their designs, and manufacturing of all theproducts, for all these years, which makes Gautier one of the most premium homefurniture brands, worldwide. Gautier has always ensured that the customer has a worldclass buying experience and gets value for money. The Gautier home furniture rangecovers the entire spectrum of home furniture including living rooms, sofa sets, diningtables, bedrooms, children furniture, storage units and other furniture accessories. Thiswide range of home products make Gautier showroom a one-stop solution for all yourhome furniture needs and so you can plan the entire home renovation by making athe colours, looks, shapes and styles are similar. This shows that theOmani market is slowly following international trends.Are there any new products soon to be launched?Yes. We are launching a new product range for living rooms, sofa sets,bedroom furniture and children’s furniture during the Home Show 2011,the international event for setting up an ideal home, from the 13th to15th December at Oman International Exhibition Centre, Muscat. Withthe new world class Gautier product range for home furniture products,including living room furniture, dining tables, bed sets, children’sfurniture and accessories, customers in Oman can plan for the completemakeover of their home.We are expecting many new customers to visit our stand (Number701), along with our regular esteemed customers during this exhibition.We are very happy at the response and excitement we are receivingfrom customers well in advance, and we are sure this event will giveour customers a wide range of world class home furniture products,which they have been waiting for. To add to the excitement, we are alsooffering very special discounts to our customers who will book homefurniture during this exhibition. I am sure this is something you cannotmiss, if you are in search of dream home furniture.22

December 13, 2011 Issue 198A WINTER WONDERWords | Sue HallTaking a plunge into the icy cold conditions of the Arctic is Sue Hall, who will represent Oman on a special challenge toraise awareness of breast cancer. She gave us this story about the journey to the Arctic she will be taking, and why sheis representing the Sultanate on this grueling mission.I have been given a wonderful unique opportunity to join up with 11 other adventurous women from all around theworld to participate in a Women’s Arctic Challenge, as far North as you can possibly imagine, around the SvalbardArchipelago in March 2012. Since I intend to represent Oman I wanted to share this exciting story with you.Now, imagine being cold all day long! A bit of a contrast to Oman, wouldn’t you say? And imagine being surrounded bynothing but snow and ice for miles and miles, temperatures reaching as low as -40. Well, that is where I have decidedto go, and most of my friends think I am totally mad as they know I get cold at times just living with the AC blaring dayand night in Oman!So why have I opted to take part in this Arctic challenge, you might ask? Rest assured, I will be wearing many, manythermal layers covering my unprepared body to keep me warm, but most of all I hope the excitement of the trip willkeep me pulsating and naturally boost my internal thermometer. As there are no roads to speak of, all modes oftransport consist of either riding by snow mobile or mushing in the deep snow, pulled along in sleds by beautiful huskiedogs. On this Arctic Challenge we will spend three days dog sledding to the historic ‘Ship in the Ice’, and a two-daysnow mobile safari to the Isfjord Radio Station, and a day of Ice Caving in the Scott Turner Glacier. All this excitementis what will keep me warm, and I can’t wait to be living with my own huskie team of dogs for three days and threenights. I will learn to look after them, feed them, and harness them. I already feel a warm bubbling connection with allthe doggies there before I get on the plane! We also plan to see the Northern Lights, nature’s own spectacular fireworkshow, if we are lucky and the sky is not obscured by snow blizzards.The unique Arctic climate is ideal for spotting various types of flora and wildlife, including polar bears, reindeer, seals,arctic foxes, seabirds, whales and many other types of marine animals. Sixty percent of the archipelago is made up ofhuge glaciers, and we will discover breathtaking mountains and fjords. From November to January there is complete24

December 13, 2011 Issue 198total darkness 24-hours-a-day, every single day, no glimpse of the sun here. Then in February, the sun slowly starts to peak its headround the corner, little by little, and by the first week in March the sun will come back, and the inhabitants will celebrate the full return ofthe sun and now the weather systems will completely switch, with it working up to 24-hours of sunlight for the summer months ahead.But despite this, the nights will still be very, very dark when we are there, which makes the possibility of seeing the Northern lights veryplausible. That too will be amazing, so fingers crossed!We plan to celebrate ‘Women’s International Day’ at 78-degrees North, which will take place on 8th March, in the hope of inspiringwomen worldwide and encourage them to take part in an adventure of their own. This date also happens to coincide with the end ofthe long polar nights and embraces the return of the sun to this remote part of the globe, so we will also be celebrating ‘Return of theLight’ day. During this trip, we will help raise awareness for breast cancer by supporting ‘Breast Friends’ in the UAE, and to contributeto Plan International’s campaign called ‘Because I Am A Girl’ aimed at educating women around the globe. One of the 12 women onthis Arctic Challenge is a three-time breast cancer survivor from the UAE, and I hope that women who read this article will feel inspired.We hope to call out to all women to stand strong and healthy and to continue to promote peace in the world. By giving all women avoice through education, this will ultimately be possible. Despite the 12 women having diverse backgrounds on this trip, they all haveone thing in common, they dare to care.Each woman on the arctic challenge will be proudly carrying their own national flag. I am originally British, and it was assumed by theTeam that I would carry the British flag. But because I have never really lived in the UK, and was born in northern Sweden in a smallvillage called Piteå, I felt a little out of place in doing so. Due to my father’s desire for adventurous travel and constant working overseas,my whole life was spent growing up in different countries around the globe, living in some rather remote countries such as Romania andAlgeria, to name but a few, which back in those days were considered ‘hardship postings’. I have, however, lived in Oman for the last29 years and have experienced a wonderful affiliation with this country, and I guess I consider Oman to be my home now. So I askedif I could carry the Omani flag instead. It was eagerly accepted by the Team, and I have to say I feel very proud to depart on this ArcticChallenge representing Oman.I feel connected to this country as if it were my own. I love the Omani people, and I find the scenery breathtaking and quite diverse;from beautiful beaches and fjord-like seas, to spectacular mountains, endless wadis worthy of exploring, and the amazing WahaibaDesert. The choices are endless. Coupled with this, I have the utmost respect for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who I haveseen nurture this country from the dark ages and turn it into an outstanding first-class modern country, whilst keeping the culture andtraditions alive. HM is a very fair and trustworthy leader who genuinely cares and looks after his people. I have always maintained thatif all leaders of countries around the world were as tolerant, generous and wise as HM, then we would finally have world peace andan end to global suffering. HM is an example to be followed by all. I admire his economic, political and above all humanitarian policiesthat I have witnessed over the years of living here. So it goes without saying that I am indeed very proud to carry the Oman flag on thisarctic challenge.And as if I hadn’t had enough exposure to extreme cold conditions, I booked myself to spend a few days in northern Sweden at theend of the Arctic Challenge to re-visit my roots where I was born. And guess where I will be sleeping? Yep, you got it! On a block of iceat the Ice Hotel! Mmmmm, maybe I am a glutton for punishment, but hey, in for a penny in for a pound! I will tell you all about it whenI return in April 2012.So, I urge all women interested in doing something a little different, and daring to care, to let their imaginations wonder, and make adifference in some way, big or small, it doesn’t matter, but be brave and follow your hearts to leave your mark on this planet by helpingus to become a better, more educated, and healthier world, for the future generations to come.

PRESENTING SPONSORBANK ON ITIn 2008, the world was hit by the collapse of several leading banks and financial institutions in Europe andAmerica. For the past decade, many in the world had benefited from steady economic growth, low interestrates and rising living standards, and the growing banking industry played no small part in such prosperity.As for the banking crisis, the world had seen such calamities before but the complexity and interconnectionof this crisis made it very different to previous ones, and the doomsday scenario of a complete economicmeltdown made this entirely unique. That an important component of the economy failed so spectacularly,had such a damaging effect on people’s everyday lives, that governments are still helpless to fix the mess(which was largely their own doing thanks to the deregulation of the banking industry) has left many angrythat they are pawns in a game they don’t quite understand. Higher taxes, austerity cuts and job losses arethe price the people are paying to bail out banks in many parts of the world.26

December 13, 2011 Issue 198The banking system has always been an incredibly tight-lippedand intricate system, leaving most laymen completely baffled byits workings. The roots of banking itself can be traced back toRoman times, when moneylenders would occupy benches, or‘bancu’, in the squares of Rome, which is where the name derives.Modern banking originates in the money lending operations ofthe Jewish community in the mediaeval city states of Italy, whooffered loans to Venetian merchants engaged in foreign trade,shipping in cargo from across the world. Of course, such riskyinvestments were only worthwhile if they offered the prospect ofprofits, so interest was collected on loans. This, however, was onlypossible due to the Europe’s adoption of the more free flowingArabic numeral system, casting off the archaic constraints of theclumsy Roman digits. It made calculations simpler and freed up thearchaic economic systems of Europe to compete on a global level.Europe also adopted many forms of monetarism from the IslamicWorld, which had already laid a framework similar to capitalism.Later, the Medici family of Florence began the first banks, offeringloans in return for a ‘commission’, and interest to those who trustedtheir savings in their establishments, through a complex system offoreign currency exchanges. Through a series of interconnectedbut decentralised partnerships, Medici banks spread across Italy,and such diverse investments reduced the cost of borrowing foradventurous traders.The system of banking today is indescribably more elaborate,but the option of loans for businesses has been the backbone ofentrepreneurship and economic growth since Renaissance times,even if bad debts has been its Achilles' heel. “There must be a bettersystem,” many have said, but which system, and who will run it?Thankfully, Oman has largely escaped the current economic crisis,but a new form of banking will soon be introduced to the country.The principles of Islamic Banking with its interest-free loans havebeen used by more than one economist as an alternative to currentwestern banking practices. The ability to create a stable, sustainablebanking model will undoubtedly be a model attractive to many herein Oman. Lo’ai Bataineh, DGM, Investment & Development, Headof Investment Management Group (IMG), Oman Arab Bank SAOC/Investment Management Group, is preparing for the introductionof Islamic Banking services to his bank. He says, “If Islamic Bankswere used before the international crises, I don’t think that theinternational crisis would have had the same impact as we haveright now. There is no way that the Islamic Banks can financemoney with money, which means that Islamic Banks have to makesure that money can’t be used for the purpose of making money.Also, it is forbidden for Banks to be used for hedge techniquesand derivatives, in structuring their products, which was the mainproblem in 2008.”The Islamic Banking sector has seen marked growth since itfirst began in the 1970s, and is now worth something in theregion of $200 billion according to Pernal. Islamic Banks nowexist across the Middle East, and recently a license was grantedto a Sharia-compliant bank in the UK. Lo’ai explains how thesystem works: “As you may know, Islamic Banking activitieshave to fit with the principles of Islamic Sharia (Islamic Law),and all the Islamic Banking services and products have to beapproved and authorised by a Sharia Board. As a matter of fact,Islamic Sharia Law prohibits fixed or floating payments and/orpaying and accepting fixed rates for any banking product andservices. Actually, accepting a fixed interest on your deposit orpaying a fixed interest rate on your loan is called Riba, and Ribain Sharia is forbidden, or Haraam.” Other differences include,“In Islamic Banking you can’t finance any personal expensesand Islamic Banks should make sure that money can’t beused for the purpose of making money (effectively forbiddingthe charging of interest). This is the way and the concept ofall Islamic Banks' working.” This also means that any moneyinvested on your behalf will not go to other non-Sharia banks,not to other companies who deal in products that are classedas ‘haraam’.The western system of banking has been considered one ofthe great levers behind the economic development of Europeand America over the past centuries. Loans have enabled27

December 13, 2011 Issue 198entrepreneurs to finance their first projects; people who mightnot have the finances to fund them on their own. The USA’s laxbankruptcy laws, allowing people declared bankrupt to take loansagain for business ventures, is a fundamental part of America’sinclination towards enterprise. This has allowed many oncefailedbusinessmen and women to get access to the funds theyneed to start up new enterprises, one such example is industrialtycoon Henry Ford who started Ford motorcars after a previousunsuccessful stint in business, which resulted in his bankruptcy.How will Islamic Banking promote this entrepreneurial spirit? Lo’aisays: “Islamic Banks will have to have certain Islamic productssuch as Mudaraba (the bank provides funding to entrepreneurs,who share the profits of any venture. The entrepreneurs do notput up any capital), and Musharaka (the bank provides fundingto entrepreneurs, who also contribute capital. Profits from theventure are shared), and Ijarah (the Arabic word for leasing), whichbasically is an agreement in which banks lease an asset to a clientfor a specific length of time, at a specific price. At the end of theleasing period, the client may or may not own the asset.” Another,more complex product is “Istisna, where the client asks the seller(the Bank) to create a product, which is then sold to the purchaserat a given price. Istisna allows parties to contract the sale ofsomething that does not exist at the time of the agreement.”The Central Bank of Oman say that Islamic Banking in Oman willfully comply with the principles of Sharia, making it a responsibleand faith-bound form of banking, that does not attach risk-taking.The laws and regulations that banks engaged in Islamic Bankingwill be bound to are currently being drawn up, and should bereleased by the end of December. Ashish Sood, DCEO - Retail& Private Banking at AhliBank, says that there is already a lotof interest in the market. “There has been substantial interestamong the customers as indicated by their inquiries about IslamicBanking products since the announcement from Central Bank ofOman allowing the setting up of Islamic Banking windows,” hesays. For many in Oman, the service has been a long time coming,and he adds, “There is a huge demand from customers who wantto do banking in line with their faith. With Ahli Bank the customerswill be able to meet all their banking requirements in line with theirfaith. Our products will have the requisite flexibility to cater to thediverse needs of the customers.” What shape and form of theseproducts will take we don't yet know, but the banks seem eager tooffer a reliable, safe, and most importantly, ethical form of bankingto the people of Oman.A special thanks to those banks who took part in the article.Ashish Sood, DCEO - Retail & Private Banking at AhliBankWhat Islamic Banking services will you offer customers overthe next year?We will offer a complete suite of Sharia-compliant deposit andfinancing products catering to the requirements of the customersin a comprehensive manner.Can you give me a quick overview of how the product/servicewill work and how it differs from conventional banking?The Islamic Banking products are based on the concepts oftrading and profit sharing. Therefore, the Bank purchases andsells/leases the assets to the customer. Also, on the deposit side,the Bank accepts the deposit as Modarib and the profits made onthese investments are shared with the customers.What are your expected revenue targets for Islamic Bankingservices, next year?We expect to have 10 to 15 percent of our revenues from IslamicBanking in Year One of the launch.How will you ensure you have the right qualified staff to offerthese services?28

December 13, 2011 Issue 198We are getting the staff certified in Islamic Banking with variouscourses which include both classroom training and online courses.Also we are hiring experienced Islamic Banking professionals/practitioners for knowledge transfer.How have you worked with the government and religiousbodies to ensure your Islamic Banking services fits withthe government's and religious bodies' requirements andexpectations?We are in the process of setting up our Sharia Board which willinclude renowned local and regional scholars. The documentationis being reviewed and will be formally vetted by the Sharia Boardbefore the launch.Lo’ai Bataineh, DGM, Investment & Development, Head ofInvestment Management Group (IMG) at Oman Arab BankSAOC/Investment Management Group.What Islamic Banking services will you offer customers overthe next year?I believe the Bank will be offering what the market is expecting fromall banks, in particular each bank will try to have some specialtiesto certain areas, I believe. Oman Arab Bank will have the advantagebeing part of Arab Bank Group which has had Islamic Bankingoperations since 1995 in Jordan, Sudan, Qatar and the UAE. Weare working hard to shortlist a couple of products and services,taking the help and support of Arab Bank Group, and definitelywhen we are going to structure and develop such services andproducts, we will take into consideration Oman as a country and acommunity in order to deliver what is expected. I think most of thebanks, including the new Islamic Banks under formation, will startraising investment deposits and offering retail Islamic financingproducts as Islamic Banks and other banking services.How will customers benefit from Islamic Banking with OAB?I think first, due to the fact that we have operations and branchesin most of the locations in Oman, we will be trying to catch upwith the customers’ expectations in this area. We will not offerany product which is not tested and checked in the market, eitherin Oman or in the region. Because of that we asked Arab Bank toshortlist a couple of used and tested products in the region, whichhave been used and experienced before.Has there been a lot of demand regarding Islamic Bankingfrom customers?I think it has been expected and demanded for at least five years,as far as I know. Most of the banks did a lot of research andstudied in Oman regarding the expectations from Islamic Banksand what Islamic Banks have to deliver and offer. If we follow thenature of Oman being an Islamic and Arab country, then thereshould be a lot of requests from Omanis and non-Omanis to haveIslamic Banking operations and services in Oman. Actually, as youknow, there are also a lot of Muslims and non-Muslims asking forthese services, not only in Oman but also in Europe, and we havea lot of European Islamic banks, as well, for the same reasons.What are your expected revenue targets for Islamic Bankingservices, next year?I think that to start any operation you have to focus on servicesand quality, and with both of them you have to spend a lot onthe infrastructure and in recruiting the specialists in these areas.I don’t think for any Islamic Bank and/or unit will be makingprofits, but as revenue, I think the expertise in this regard in othercountries for the first six to eight months will have a lot of demand,especially on deposits and retail products, and later over the nexttwo to three years, the demand will be normal. At a later stage, Ithink that Islamic Banking will not have more than 10-12 percentof the banking assets in Oman, unless they started to issue Sukukfor government projects, which will be a major development in theIslamic Banking era.How will you ensure you have the right qualified staff to offerthese services?I am sure all banks will start to utilise and recruit expatriates whohave worked in, and have the relevant expertise in, Islamic Banking.As you know, we in Oman don’t have the relevant expertise in thisarea and we have to work hard to develop this in a short periodof time. I think in a few positions and areas, still we can reshapeand redesign certain divisions, positions and employees to workin Islamic Banking units, such as customer services, cashiers,as well as the support divisions like HR and administration. Theonly thing I believe we need is tuning and orientating those whocan be used and moved to Islamic Banking, and we have a lot ofcandidates who are looking and waiting to move into that area inall banks in Oman.29

Bid Bid FortThoughts & Photography | Jerzy WierzbickiAl Dakhliya region is known for its forts and small castles,located at strategic points on the top of hills or at the entrancesto the wadis or villages. Last weekend I set off from Muscat toBid Bid. On the main road, just behind Fanja, I found a brownroad sign directing me to Bid Bid castle. The winter light wasstrong but warm, so I decided it would be best to visit the site inthe morning. It was the right decision, because an acute anglebetween the sun and the fort gave me a good opportunity to takesome fantastic photographs.Bid Bid is a typically small town in the Dakhliya region; quiet,surrounded by dark brown mountains with a lot of green palmtrees. It brings a special atmosphere, especially during thewinter. The castle of Bid Bid is located behind the town, next toa wide wadi. The fort is massive and totally restored, surroundedby palm trees and the falaj systems that are filled with freshand cold water. The main entrance to the castle is on the backside, opposite to the wadi. Small old 17th or 18th century artillerypieces still aim at the wadi side.The main wall of the castle is several dozen metres high, and themost impressive are these towers casts a great shadow onto theground below. The castle is unfortunately closed to the public onthe weekends, but a local boy told me that the fort is open duringthe week. Although I could not visit the castle’s interior, I highlyrecommend a visit the Bib Bid Fort. The total distance is lessthan 50km from Muscat, and a 4x4 vehicle is not compulsory.GPS: N23”24’45 E58”07’3533

Words | Karima FaridThis week, as always, we strolled around town to pick a few of our favourite items, and we ended up with somefresh goodies to share with you! So smell cool, look gorgeous and stay beautiful with this week’s picks! Readers,if you have tried a product you liked, or a beauty salon you enjoyed, or even tried out one of our picked items,please email us at info@y-oman.com and share your thoughts!34

Ange Ou Etrange Perfumeby Givenchy for WomenI enjoy floral scents, and this one ismade to perfection. With the intensepleasurable Neroli and Orange Blossomand the addictive scents of Sambac,Jasmine and Ambery Wood, thisperfume is chic and elegant.Chanel GlossimerFor a few years, this rich lip gloss hasbeen a favourite around the world.It’s one of 30 gorgeous shades and Iam sure that you will end up gettingaddicted to quite a few of them! Thisgloss is always voted best because itsays “It lasts like a stain”; and it does.Definicils Mascara by LancomeThis is very nice, and gives a nice curls, too. Itlengthens and gets every single eyelash. If youare looking for a light, everyday kind of mascara,then this is a good choice. Lancome hasamazing products, and if you try them one byone you can easily become a fan.Numero Uno and Numero Due byRasasiThese two are the laterst Eau De Parfum forMen by Rasasi, and they make an excellentaddition to the collection. The scent issophisticated, and both will make a great giftfor your man's collection. You can find themat any Rasasi showroom, which are locatedall over the country.35

Clint Derric EgbertSAMSUNG’S TRANSPARENT TABLETWith Samsung preparing to launch a flexible OLED display for theirnew tablet PC next year, it is evident that the electronics companyintends to capture the tablet market. For starters, the device iscapable of translating almost any language instantly as the personspeaks any desired language. Another great feature is that the tabletis flexible and transparent, literally allowing the user to look rightthrough the device, just like glass. The device is so futuristic that it’sdifficult to believe that it can actually become a reality by next year.I recently came across a brilliant video that shows exactly how thedevice works and showcases some of its many features.To watch the video just log onto the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4AhTiQkWwk&feature=player_embeddedMEGAPHONE HORN SPEAKER FORIPHONEIf there is one thing that the iPhone cannot boast about, it’ssound volume. But, thanks to the Megaphone horn speaker, builtvery similar to those old gramophones, iPhone users can nowpump up the volume on their iPhones to hear better. The onlyproblem is that when walking around with this baby you mightbe considered a little crazy - or Bavarian. This is, however, a cooldevice to have at home, on which you can place you’re iPhone toplay your favourite music. The best part is that this device requiresno energy consumption, it relies on natural acoustics alone. Pricedat $540 (207 rials), though, it will have you digging deep into yourpockets, but it would make a great display piece as well. For moreinformation, go to www.dvice.com3M CP45 POCKET CAMCORDER PROJECTORThere is nothing cooler than having your own mobile projectors, excepthaving a 3M CP45 Pocket Camcorder Projector. This device allows you tocapture whatever you may feel on the go, and then play it back anywhereand at anytime you want, without the need for complicated setups andconnections. The camera can record in HD, shoot 5 megapixel still shots,has a 4xdigital zoom and comes with a 2.4” LCD display screen. It also has2GBs of internal memory and is able to project from 6” to 65” images. Thedevice has a projection battery life of 100 minutes and can take up to 150minutes of video when fully charged. However, priced at £299.99 (180rials), this device you should only buy if you really require it. For moreinformation, go to www.firebox.com36

Technology Newsfacebook’s photo failureAre your private photo albums posted on Facebook actually private? Recent investigations revealthe shocking truth that proves otherwiseFacebook, one of the world’s most popular and trusted social networking service websites, spread like wild fire when it was firstlaunched in February 2004. It has drawn people in from all around the globe, and has over 800 million active users, to date. It hasgrown to become a common form of networking for personal users, and professionally as well. Boasting of being safe and secure,Facebook has successfully earned its users’ trust over the years, but recent shocking developments and reports have shakenthe faith of many Facebook users.These investigations haverevealed that there is a holein Facebook’s accountreportingprocess, whichallows individuals reporting aproblem to gain access to aperson’s private photo files.Scarily, how it works is rathersimple – by simply clickingon the ‘Inappropriate photoprofile’ option you enter thenext screen asking you whythe photo is inappropriate.Then when you click on theoption to report the phototo Fackbook, you are thentransferred to the nextscreen that asks the userto “report additional photosto include with the report”.By choosing this option,the user is then exposed toa page of thumbnail-sizedimages from that person’sprofile, even private ones.This photo-hacking method has been reported to work for some people, and not for others. This is said to have been thecase depending strictly on what type of browser is being used. CNET, on their website, has reported that during an in-depthinvestigation into the matter with its sister company, ZDNet, they were able to easily access a private photo of Facebook’sfounder, Mark Zucherberg.Confirming that there is a flaw in the site, the Facebook spokesperson was reported making a statement recently saying, “Earliertoday, we discovered a bug in one of our reporting flows that allows people to report multiple instances of inappropriate contentsimultaneously. The bug allowed anyone to view a limited number of another user’s most recently uploaded photos irrespectiveof the privacy settings for these photos. This was the result of one of our recent code pushes and was live for a limited period oftime. Upon discovering the bug, we immediately disabled the system, and will only return functionality once we can confirm thebug has been fixed.”37

December 13, 2011 Issue 198Words & Photography | Clint Derric EgbertSCREAMING ENGINES – THE SWEETSOUND OF MOTORSPORT MUSICThe sweet scent of wet earth, the exhilarating sound of a choir of roaring engines, the rush of adrenaline lingering in theair and the dirt in your hair (although many would hate to admit it) is truly a brilliant start to a Muscat Friday afternoon.A motor racing event is a rush in itself, but when it’s fuelled bychilled Red Bulls then you know you’re in for a real treat. Testamentto this was the Red Bull Last Man Standing competition heldat and hosted by the Oman Automobile Association recently,which attracted motorsport professionals and amateurs fromacross the Sultanate in three popular disciplines - quad ATVs,motocross bikes and sports cars.Racers from different disciplines, all sharing a passion formotorsports, gathered together to compete against each other,battling to earn the respect and glory of being the ‘last manstanding’, not to mention winning super-generous cash prizes.The event allowed racers of all ages to showcase their skillsand talent on a custom-built track. Three races made up thecompetition – Motocross racers (Juniors - under 16, and Seniors- over 16), quads and sports cars (side-by-side).Tiaan Nolan’s superb performance saw him through to firstposition in the Junior category. Daryle Hardie and Nibras AlShibani claimed the title for the Senior motocross and quadsraces, respectively, in which they displayed tremendous skill andaptitude for the sport.Finally, for the Sports Cars Last Man Standing event it was TariqShihani who raced away with top prize, in the process earningquite the appreciation from the many spectators who came towitness the event.The event, which was sponsored by Nawras, Fairtrade Autoand OMX, with the support of Merge 104.8 FM, turned out tobe a huge success and was truly a thrilling experience. And it’ssafe to add that for the first time I didn’t mind a little grit in myhair, a small price to pay for an exciting Friday at the AutomobileAssociation.38

December 13, 2011 Issue 198

December 13, 2011 Issue 198Food & Hotel Oman 2011 Expo at Oman International Exhibition CentreYaqoub Al HarrassiKhalil bin Abdulla Al Khonji,Sayyid Aymen Bin Hamad Al BusaidiEihab AbutahaNariman Attal40

December 13, 2011 Issue 198Dubai Shopping Festival Press Conference at the Grand Hyatt MuscatIbrahim SalehThe Ministry of Social Development's Volunteer Expo, 201141

December 13, 2011 Issue 198'Happening Fridays' at the Grand Hyatt MuscatAbbas Al LawatiSimon B CotterCyrus Vevaina42

December 13, 2011 Issue 198Japanese National Day ReceptionC.Franzen H. E. Jonghyun Choe H.E. Yousef SaloojeePankaj KhimjiRaoul RestucciKaren GreenPatricia Groves andAbdul Ralph WoodIBD Group Event at the Crowne PlazaAlsayyid Mohamad Al Said43

December 13, 2011 Issue 198McDonald’sDownload your FREE copy at www.y-oman.comNOW AVAILABLE IN BARKA, ALL THE WAY TO SOHAR!44Ayman Canawatiayman.canawati@sabcomedia.comFeroz KhanTel. 97768900feroz.khan@sabcomedia.comAbhudit GreeneTel. 94051770abhudit.greene@y-oman.comHazel CarvalhoTel. 97190377hazel.carvalho@y-oman.com

December 13, 2011 Issue 198FILL UP THE BELOW CROSSWORD, SUDOKU, GO FIGURE & 5 LUCKYWINNERS WILL GET A CHANCE TO WIN COMPLOMENTRY MEALS ATScan & send in your entries to info@y-oman.comthis contest is only valid from 06 Dec 2011 untill 31st Dec 2011Al Khuwairbefore Shell Station, Tel: 244 83 083Almouj Marina,The Wave, Muscat, Tel : 245 54 774www.shang-thai.comSUDOKUPlace a number in the empty boxes in such a way that eachrow across, each column down and each small 9-box squarecontains all of the numbers from one to nine.Go FigureThe idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at thebottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by followingthe arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, formleft to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers belowthe diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of thenine numbers only once.45

Each week we are asking our readers to take part in a topical discussionvia Y Magazine's facebook page.Join the group and you might see your comments printed in next week'sissue!This week:What are the best ways for the public and privatesectors to engage with youth in Oman?Amal Al-MashaikhiFinding like a public-private partnership that manage to fund and help to supervise Youthempowering programs; expanding opportuinties for Omani young people, reducing thephysical gab between them and creat a common platform/network for all to participate,learn and reflect back in such a way it serves the community itself. ! And all of that is tobe done through NYEP events in sha allahl to participate, learn and reflect back in suchaway it serve the commuinty itself.! And all of that is to be done through NYEP events insha allah :cross fingers:: cross fingers.Chaand RaatOrganize public events which will allow them to interact and create awareness.Theevents organize should be something which encourages the youth to participate. -Naseera ShameelShafiq IslamGiving them what they want for their happines.........:)Jo-ann Vivienne FernandesFun, interactive and informative events that create an awareness to opportunitiesavailable to the youth in oman.l to participate, learn and reflect back in such away it serve the commuinty itself.! And allof that is to be done through NYEP events in sha allah :cross fingers:SOLUTIONSCROSSWORDSUDOKUGO FIGURE