(1) Just received an automated phone message from Sabak (breaking official news in Oman) announcing that the letter with the people of Dhofar's 'demands' has been successfully delivered to His Majesty the Sultan. The message reached me at 8:00 a.m Monday morning..
(2) Protests continue in Salalah in front of the Governor's office (Minister of State & Governor of Dhofar). They're peacefully gathered under their tents and feeling empowered.
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(3) More royal decrees out today. Lots and lots of government reshuffling!
Thats something, His Majesty is a good person so Inshallah all works out for the best and the violence in Sohar stops soon.
ReplyDeleteAt least it's peaceful unlike those ignorants in Sohar..!!
ReplyDeleteHe received the letter last night (Sunday), please check your resources, PEACE
ReplyDeleteWhy would people demanding more jobs for themselves and others burn down a major employer?
ReplyDeleteMany more people out of work now.
Perhaps it was the excitement after they had stolen all the goods and the salaries of hard working people!
I'm saddened.
In the Arab world many people are protesting for the right to build better lives.
Many in Sohar I fear are protesting so someone will GIVE them a better life!
Protesters in Muscat and Salalah don't need to steal and destroy? Fathers in Sohar, control your sons!
People of Sohar are equally good but they have committed shameful act by looting & burning Lulu hypermarket which was largest private sector employer of Omani men & women.
ReplyDeleteI am afraid that Lulu may wind up their Sohar operations leaving hundreds of Soharis jobless.
Is there any agitation reported in capital Muscat?
ReplyDeleteWell guys come on!
ReplyDeleteThe same happens in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia and Bahrain!: government picture people as violent and doing bad things to shut them up and make them fear going to participate, as well as giving the government a reason to use violence against them. A very old and rutton trick.
Why happened only in Sohar??
Simple because Sohar didnt wait for government officials to re-phrase their letters and send a wrong letter to HM. They courageously did a very strong smart move: stopped the main road demanding 2 ministers to come down and address their request. Of course as usual ministers and government tried to be smart sending people to trigger violence to make them leave or push police to shut some of them down so other will bend down for the government.
Sorry folks i am not defending people to do what they did, but anger will leave helpless people to do anything to protect themselves and take up their message to HM.
What will happens in the few hours and days is a direct result of those people who have lost their lives for others to live better and have a say in our children future.
Best
Please God, things will settle down more easily in Oman than elsewhere. You have my prayers and good wishes.
ReplyDeleteVery well said - the monopoly on products should be avoided and it should be made more general.
ReplyDeleteSome of the protestors were shouting out some names of officers in Civil Defence and Ministry of Health who are supporting business in monopolising the Oman market.
Very well said - the monopoly on products should be avoided and it should be made more general.
ReplyDeleteSome of the protestors were shouting out some names of officers in Civil Defence and Ministry of Health who are supporting business in monopolising the Oman market.
As I said above, unfortunately our government will not act until they are cornered and put in spot. Well done Sohar. Hopefully they will learn good lesson and start to respect our mentality: to stop sending their trash through media, couse frankly I dont think there is anybody believes them :).
ReplyDeleteWhat all of us failed to do in years of begging through letters and peaceful demonstrations, Sohar did in 2-3 days. More jobs for Omanis, and some compensation for unemployed, separation between Police and Prosecution.
Did we need to wait for another soul to be lost to get other rights???
May god rest those lost their lives trying to bring more rights for their follow Omanis.
Best
Unbalanced and shallow views are what can lead this country away from all the advantages it has over places like Egypt and Libya. Yes, there are things that can be better. Yes, there are those in positions of authority who have taken advantage of that authority. I can tell you, democracy doesn't change that...
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that there is a trusted figure with the absolute power to correct these problems at the helm. Violence and destructiveness will not create the system people desired. It will not help continue the march toward progress.
There is unemployment. However, look toward the attitudes about taking jobs that are manual in nature. Not everyone has qualifications and education to be placed in positions of responsibility. If Oman is like every other country I have lived in, there is a layer of people with little qualifications that fit this need well. Can you believe that I know there are Omani's that have resigned after the decree providing for 150 OR unemployment because they would rather sit at home and collect 150 OR rather than work for a living and earn 250+ OR.
There are those who would critisise governmental people in power for abusing their station, but think nothing of asking their Sheik to use their position in the community to influence local businesses.
Now, the possibility exists that the peaceful protesters in Salalah will become destructive like in Sohar. I hope to God this doesn't happen. It would only provide excuses for the government (whatever form it is later) to hold more against the Dhofaris, to withhold money for infrstructure projects, to show the world (because Port of Salalah IS Oman's face to the world) that Oman is just another unstable country in the desert.
I hope that more people are clear headed and have faith in HM than Anonymous above...it is our only hope.