Update (14): Protests

My sources in Sohar tell me that the police broke up the crowds at the Globe Rounadbout in the early hours of the morning, and many were arrested. You can follow the details and photographs at Jillian & Dan's, (Jillian first = ladies first), our only source of news from Sohar. So, it looks like authorities are finally (trying) to put an end to the sit-ins/strikes/demonstrations around Oman. The three major remaining sit-ins have been at Sohar, Muscat, and Salalah. The Salalah sit-in started on Friday February 25th. Today is March 29th. One of my friends was at the sit-in just a few moments ago and claims the protesters plan to remain in their place. Judging by the photos on Jillian & Dan's, I wouldn't be surprised if we're next. . .

Update (13): Salalah Protests

Not much of an update, but yes the peaceful sit-in continues. Over 6000 people showed up for Friday prayers at the People's Square on Friday. I drove around and am guessing about three to four thousand people showed up but insiders swear the number reached over six thousand. I can't comment because the whole thing is making me feel uneasy.

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The situation in Salalah seems so small when I read about the current violent outburts in Bahrain, Jordan, Syria, Saudi, Palestine, Yemen, Libya, Egypt .... so many countries, so much anger. It's like the whole Middle East is letting out all the bottled anger and frustrations at the same time. Where was all this energy five years ago or even one year ago? It's overwhelming in a frightening and exciting way. And let us not forget Japan. Just because it's not in the news anymore doesn't mean the crisis has gone away. So many people have lost their homes/jobs/everything.

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Pray

PS (I turned off my lights for Earth Hour tonight from 8:30-9:30. Did you?)

Update 12: Protests in Salalah

Protests continue, though according to my sources, they are stronger than last week. Teachers are also on strike. College of Applied Sciences and College of Technology are back to classes after over a week of being on strike (the students). Dhofar University students were also on strike.

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My sources noted that most of the protesters at the general 'political' strike were from the mountains. Evidently, other tribes aren't involved (town people, bedouins, etc). Wonder why...? Reminds me of the Dhofar Rebellion (1962-1975).

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I still think that the protesters should calm down a bit and give the Sultan some time to study their needs. Quick solutions won't last. He's done a lot and to echo the Grand Mufti's message yesterday, CHANGE NEEDS TIME.

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Regards, Gucci.

PS (pray for Libya - the fact that seven countries have gone to war to bring down one man is insane)

Update 11: Salalah Protests

Mini-strikes continue, but nothing too major has occured (fingers crossed). I tend to agree with fellow blogger Mahfaif (tahyati.blogspot.com) on one thing: the people will go home if the Sultan speaks to them directly. Until now he hasn't addressed the nation. Yes, he's working hard to deal with all the issues protesters have and he's done a great job, but people need to hear him speak. Ministers have lost their credibility.

Update 10: Protests in Salalah

Oops. Looks like today's huge gathering for Friday prayers at the "People's Square" in Salalah (protest headquarters) ended up with the crowds deciding to go on a major strike tomorrow. The person who gave the sermon, Sheikh Nasser Sakroon encouraged everyone in the public and private sector to go on strike.

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I think it's extremely selfish in some ways. How do they expect His Majesty the Sultan to make 360 degree changes in this country in a matter of weeks?!!! What will a strike do?! If I were the 'Collective Brain' of the protesters, I'd for example set a date in June and ask for changes before then, on the condition that everyone goes on strike on that date if the list of demands haven't been met. Many of the demands are ridiculous and most of them take TIME. In fact, the whole bloody situation is ridiculous.

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Grrr.

Update (9): Goodbye Malik bin Suleiman

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos just issued (yet) another Royal decree just now announcing the appointment of Hassan bin Mohsin Al Shariqi as Inspector General of Police and Customs. So, that means my speculation and the rumors from last week were true; Lt Gen Malik bin Sulaiman Al Mamari, Former Inspector General of Police and Customs is out. This is huge news. I know many protesters were demanding his removal. We saw plenty of him on Oman TV during Cyclone Gonu and Phet, but besides that I don't know much about him. Is he too being accused of corruption?

Update on Protests (8)

(1) Protests continue in Salalah, though not overwhelming. Fellow blogger here summarizes it nicely for the newspaper.

(2) Protests at the Women's Association are over.

(3) Protests at Salalah College of Technology are over.

(4) Protests at Dhofar University continue.

(5) The general anti-government protests in the People's Square in Salalah continue but there are only a few hundred people during the day and maybe a couple of thousand in the evening. Organizers are trying to remind the crowds of the original demands. Other groups have joined the protests and are preaching a new constitution.

(6) Religious groups are trying to make their voice heard also. I think some people are hoping to turn Oman into an Islamic state, starting with the segregation of boys and girls in elementary school.

(7) On Wednesday the new ministers took oath. Many people aren't happy with the new faces either, especially the two Dhofaris (Rasheed Al Haraibi & Al Marhoon - they claim they are not qualified after having been just Shura members). I myself cannot judge because I don't know anything about them.

(8) The latest demand that has everyone on fire is the need for a public investigation concerning the corrupt former ministers/advisors, namely Maqbool, Makki & Ali Majid. Some claim Ali Majid's fortune (sitting in bank accounts all over Europe) exceeded 35 million/billion? Who knows. Anyway, the 'people' at the protests want all that money back.

(9) Gulf states offer $20 billion to help Oman and Bahrain get through this crisis. The protesters believe the money should be taken from the former ministers. Is Oman going to accept the help?

(10) Protesters and supporters want to bring down the Minister of Information. I'm thinking the whole ministry of information should be brought down. You can't blame the crappy media situation in Oman on one man.

(10) Sultan issues 3 royal decrees this morning. One announces up to 50% Salary increase for retired civil servants (50% for lower salaries under 200 Rials I think. The higher the salary, the lower your raise. Retired civil servants with over 1000 Rials salary get a 5% increase). Other decree included a 100% salary increase for all families on welfare. Now THAT is good to hear.

(11) Please pray for Japan. We have so much to be thankful for.

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PS (I will not publish any derogatory comments, so you can give up the argument about getting rid of expats. You're clogging up my inbox)

PS 2 (got my first visitor from Tel Aviv today! Woohoo! )

Update on Protests (7)

Protests continue in Salalah, quietly. It's not an overwhelming several thousand anymore.
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HOWEVER

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The domino effect is hitting Oman like a cyclone. Just today I've heard about small protests erupting at the following places. If you know of more, post a comment and I'll add to the list:

1. Oman Air

2. PDO

3. Ministry of Information

4. Omantel

5. Dhofar University

6. Sultan Qaboos University

7. Salalah College of Technology

8. Salalah College of Applied Sciences

9. Nursing College

10. Women's association in Salalah

11. Bahwan

12. MB

13. OXY

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What do they want? Change. Reform. More change.

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Dear Citizens, please don't overwhelm the Sultan.

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Kindest Regards,

Peaceful Dhofari Gucci

OH MY GOD

Oh My God. Oh My God. Oh My God.

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HUGE changes in the government less than an hour ago. His Majesty the Sultan has just issued a gazillion royal decrees appointing and re-appointing and firing ministers. All in all, according to Muscat Mutterings, 12 ministers have been removed.

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MAKKI IS OUT. (not only is HE out, the douchebag, but his entire ministry of national economy has been wiped off the face of Oman)

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MAQBOOL IS OUT.

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PROTESTS WORKS.

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Yes.

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Yes.

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YES!

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Thank you Sultan Qaboos Bin Said for being such a balanced person.

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To be honest with you, I'm not quite sure what to think! It's overwhelming. Were all those ministers really that corrupt? Why weren't they removed earlier? Why now?

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Updates on Salalah Protest (6)

11th day of protests in Salalah. This morning, the Omani Women's Association in Salalah went on strike. What do they want? Removal of a so-called 'corrupt' director (also a woman). Sigh.

Protests in the Media - Update (5)

Day 10 and our protests here in Salalah are still going strong.

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***Chairman of the Council of Oman (Yahya Al Mandhari), Minister of State (Mohammed Marhoon Al Mamari), one other minister, and other VIPs arrived at 'Freedom Square' (protest area of Salalah) to talk to the thousands and the protesters kicked them out!!! WTF ... half an hour ago***

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I don't have much time this morning, but here are a couple of points to keep you entertained:

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(1) Kudos to Muscat Daily for putting Dhofar on the front page yesterday.

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(2) Al Jazeera published a report on the protests also yesterday. Take a look here.

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(3) An article from Time Magazine here is also worth reading. I have mixed feelings. Why's everyone so obsessed with Sohar?

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(4) I'm very very very very disappointed with Brian Whitaker, UK Guardian journalist (he also runs Al-Bab.com) after his article 'Oman's Sultan Qaboos: A Classy Despot' on Friday (google it if you must. I'm not putting up the link). I used to enjoy his column, but this article was stupid and offensive. Parts of his article are true, but his tone is beyond rude, and many of his 'issues' with the Sultan are irrelevant. According to Whitaker, the world would be a better place if we all followed places like England/USA. Hah. What he failed to NOTICE is that Omanis actually do enjoy a very comfortable life and actually genuinly love their ruler. We have deep respect for the Sultan and nothing will change that. He isn't just another Gaddafi or Mubarak. He is one of a kind. His article was based on the 'assumption' that we don't like our Sultan. Has Brian been to Oman? Does he have any idea what he's talking about? Oman definitely has its problems but portraying His Majesty as a classy despot who belongs in the 15th century with the Medicis and the Borgias is not going to help anyone. Poor journalism. I can guarantee 100% that those of you who think I'm biased are not Omani. Believe it or not, not everyone wants to live like Europeans or Americans. Shocked? Didn't think so. I lived in a western country for 5 years. I KNOW Omanis are lucky and should be thankful for things like free education, healthcare, tax-free living, low crime rate, etc. Yes, I agree with many of the demands, especially those regarding removal of certain key people in the government, and political reform ... but as far as free this and free that, paying off debts, etc... well, .... no one told you to buy a brand new BMW on a salary of 400 a month :)

I still respect Brian Whitaker as a journalist and have been following his work for years, but with this article, well... in Dhofar we'd say:

ما توفّق

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(5) Robert Kaplan's article in Foreign Policy last week was also an interesting read.

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(6) Stay tuned for more royal decrees. Rumor has it that we may be receiving announcements regarding the possibility of government re-structure (PM?) and umm... succession updates. Don't quote me.

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(7) Read Muscat Confidential's latest post here.

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(8) Also, don't quote me here, but my sources tell me ROP chief will be retiring very soon :)

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Cheers

BIG NEWS!

Long Live His Majesty! As of half an hour ago, he fired one of the most obnoxious Ministers of all time, Sheikh Ali Majid Al Mamari, FORMER minister of Royal Office, oman's security dude, and the Sultan's FORMER right hand. Replacement? General Sultan Al Nu'mani.
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Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi appointed Minister of the Diwan. Sultan Mohammed Al Namani Minister of Royal Offie. And Nasr Hamoud Al Kindi as Head of Royal Court Affairs in the position of Minister.
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All is WELL in our world.
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Things are moving in Oman. The Sultan is listening to his people. Demands are being met.
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We're waiting for similar announcements concerning Ahmed Abdulnabi Makki, corrupt Minister of National Economy & the one and only Maqbool.

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Nothing is perfect but this is a good first step for Oman.

Update (4) on Protests

Dear Readers,.

What an AMAZING WEEK for Salalah! Protests still going strong at this end of the country. Here are some mini-updates in point form. My thoughts aren't fully organized:
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(1) Protests started after Friday prayers last week. They marched from the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in central to Salalah to the gates of the Minister of State & Governor of Dhofar's Office. They set up camp and have been there ever since..
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(2) Numbers increase by the day. Most people show up in the late afternoon and evenin after work. By 10 p.m it's almost impossible to get anywhere near there.

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(3) Supporters who have been unable/unwilling to actually join the protests have been sending donations.

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(4) There are a team of VERY WELL ORGANIZED people who are collecting donations, arranging meals, etc.

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(5) They now have a stage, speakers system, etc. People give talks all evening.

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(6) The police have done nothing to break up the crowds.

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.(7) The crows have done NOTHING violent. They spend all day sitting and talking quietly on the ground.

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(8) What was formerly called 'The Governor's Parking Lot' (huge) is now called 'Freedom Square'.

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(9) There was a completely seperate march last week supporting the Sultan. Protesters feel it wasn't the right time.

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(10) Governor of Dhofar & Minister of State (all one person :) met with heads of tribes at the end of the week to advise them not to support the alternative march.

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(11) The letter of demands that was delivered to the Sultan includes a longlist of demands. Very few have been met over the past few days. His Majesty has been issuing royal decrees all week to try and meet the demands.
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(12) Protesters claim they're not moving until their 'main' demands have been met (i.e. increase in wages, removal of several key ministers, etc).

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(13) This morning thousands and thousands and thousands (I hear between seven to nine thousands people) joined the protesters for Friday prayers in 'Freedom Square'. The mosques were deserted. The sermon given at the square was different than the one from the mosques. If anyone has the text of the sermon/speech, PLEASE SEND IT TO ME.

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(14) Despite the fact that there were thousands there, it was extremely quiet and peaceful. No violence. Just prayers.

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(15) I am very very very proud of the Dhofari people for their behavior this past week.

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(16) If you have any additional info, photos, etc, please send to me.

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(17) It is 100% safe to go out into town. It's even cool to drive past the protesters and get a feel of what's going on. I've been there a few times and I'm a woman!

.Peace

Jordanian Night in Salalah

Dear Readers,

As randon and irrelevant as this may seem, just thought I'd share the info I have.

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Event: Jordanian Music & Dance

Date: Wednesday March 2, 2011 (tomorrow!)

Time: 8:30

Venue: Al Murooj Theatre (Ittin)

Entrance: Free

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I'm proud of the Ministry of Tourism for arranging such events. I missed the Georgia night last week, but I'm hoping to make it to tomorrow's event.

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Small update: peaceful sit-in/protests continue in Salalah opposite the governor's office.