Kindle in Middle East

When will Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, U.S. & International Wireless, Latest Generation) be sold in Middle East? interesting it is available for East Africa market but us, no.

A short note

Some how, Oman celebrated Mohsin Al Busaidy's arraival from his sailing experience and becoming the 1st Arab & Omani to ever sail non-stop arround the world.

A group devoted to him has been created in facebook. Posters and campaigns everywere all over Muscat Region (were I live & commute) for supporting him. Why no one is doing the same with Ahmed Al Harthy, the first formula racer? No national sponsors willing to support him.

Best wishes to other Omanis who don't get recognitions from their own people.

On 21 of March

A day or a date can be an ordinary day for some people but others are can be special as an event or birthday or anniversary, etc.

Today, 21 March 2009, is a momerable day or a milestone for National Day Bank of Oman, as it unveiled it's new logo, thanks to Kishor Cariappa, has posted an article about it under the title 'National Bank of Oman gets new logo'.

Arround 6:45 pm Oman Timing, their website was revealed with the new logo. Most of their branches are/been renovated for embracing the new corporate identity.

Beside that, today is Mother's day.

What do you think about it?

Lamya passed away

Lamya Al-Mugheiry aka Lamya, the Omani artest (singer) had passed away few hours ago in Oman. My condolences to her family. We pray for her Soul to rest in peace.

AIESEC in Oman

The following article is from TheWeek Issue 297, the whole purpose is to develop the local workforces and explore them to the internationally, which will benefit both the individual and the country.

One of the world's largest international organisations for students, AISEC, is all set to start operations in Oman with an innovative foreign internship programme.


At 19, Saqib Khan is like any other student within the Majan College premises in Muttrah but for one thing. Come February next year this third year student of computer networking will be off to Keio in Japan for a three-month internship with Kiban, a technology company dealing with e-commerce. Saqib, will be the first person rom Oman to go on an internship arranged by the international youth organisation AIESEC.

He will be the first of many hundred more young people from the sultanate who will be off in the coming years on an exchange programme that opens the doors for Omani youth to develop their skills abroad. At the same time, AIESEC’s programme will offer local busines-ses a chance to tap into an international talent pool especially for temporary roles.

“At the moment, AIESEC, with 32,000 active members, is present in more than 108 countries and territories around the world. We have a deep history in the Middle East-North Africa region, dating back to the 1960s,” said Brett Borkan, director of business development, AIESEC official extension to Oman.

“With student chapters in Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Jordan, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Oman is logically the next step in our efforts,” he added.

Although AIESEC has been present in Oman for some time now, their official launch is expected to take place at year-end. The organisation itself, which is run entirely by students and recent graduates of higher education, was launched 60 years ago in 1948 in Stockholm with just seven member countries.

The aim was to promote peaceful relations between these seven nations in a world fresh out World War II. In its first year the then fledgling organisation arranged 89 traineeships. Interestingly enough, many of these early internship exc-hange programmes were between France and Germany, a country that had occupied much of France during the war.

But how does all this make a difference to people in Oman? Kenneth MacFarlane, senior country partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), which is AIESEC’s global partner and also its local partner in the sultanate, has this to say. “PWC absorbs around ten Omanis into its permanent staff each year.

The main attraction for me is to get Omanis on outbound internships where they can gain international exposure,” he expl-ained, adding that this would help build a young national workforce that would come armed with knowledge of how things work outside their own country.

MacFarlane’s argument is vindicated by the views of inbound interns who are already working in Oman. “I have already worked with PWC in Mexico City. I wanted to see how the firm operated elsewhere so that I could learn about its global operation methods,” said 25-year-old Rebeca Rubi Alvarado, a student of accounting from Mexico. Yet, the idea of overseas internships is not the only attraction for AIESEC’s members.

A non-profit global organisation run like a business house, it gives its members the opportunity to try their hand at being professionals before even exiting the academic world. “Firstly, I enjoy the sense of responsibility that comes with being a key member of the organisation. Secondly, as the vice-president of marketing, I get practice in reality what I learn in the confines of the classroom,” said Hasna Sultan, who recently graduated from the Modern College of Business and is the vice- president of marketing for AIESEC’s local committee in Bausher.

For Rashad al Jamali, president, local committee, Bausher, AIESEC, it was the whole professional aura of its members that drew him in. “I got to know about AIESEC when Brett and a friend were promoting the organisation in our college. At the time I thought the whole thing seemed a lot more professional than anything else,” he said.

Since then Rashad has attended two international AIESEC conferences, one in Bahrain and another in Tunisia, and the only thing that he thinks could be a deterrent to more people joining the organisation is the need for time management. “It can get difficult to manage time on occasion, especially during exams,” he said, adding that he would nevertheless recommend becoming a member.

Meanwhile Saqib’s initial excitement about going to Japan has given way to apprehensions about the change in environment. “Language is probably going to be a big problem. Unlike in Oman where most people speak in English, everything in Japan is in Japanese,” he explained, adding with a nervous smile, “And I don’t know a syllable of Japanese.” According to 26-year-old Kristina Mader, a student of finance and tax audit from Germany, the only way to get over such apprehensions is to take the plunge and find out what the situation on the ground is really like rather than depend on second hand experience or the opinions of others.

“Back home, everyone has a negative opinion of the Middle East region because of what they read or see in the media. But no one really knows what things are like here. Only after coming here do you realise that not all of the Middle East is a conflict zone,” she said.

Besides, according to Adriana Marinaro, senior manager, assurance/business advisory services, PWC, being an AIESEC member might even work out in your favour when it comes to employment.

“Having AIESEC on your CV immediately communicates that you are more likely to be a dedicated employee,” said Adriana, who was a member of the organisation for three years and is now coordinating PWC’s activities with AIESEC in Oman. So, does being a member of AIESEC mean a ticket to overseas internships, fancy designations and an easier route to a job? Not quite. “You could either choose to be a passive member or someone who is actively involved. Most people who benefit from their time as AIESEC members are the latter,” said Adriana.

After all you get what you give. Email BrettB@aiesecom.org or log on to www.aiesec.org for more details

H E Dr abdullah al sarmi undersecretary, ministry of higher education, speaks to THEWEEK

What will AIESEC be able to accomplish for Oman and its youth?
AIESEC, the world’s largest international student organisation and the second largest organisation registered with the United Nations (UN), has taken recent steps in a bold initiative to bring new human development opportunities to the youth in the Arab region.

In Oman, AIESEC will work with higher education institutions to give students the opportunity to participate in its empowering programmes. These would offer students the chance to participate in conferences with youth from across the region and the world and in skills training from local and global businesses in Oman.

In addition, they will help develop a sense of community and giving back through cultural programmes; foster a greater understanding of what is happening in the Omani society and in the world. What exactly is the ministry’s role in the establishment of AIESEC in Oman?

The ministry has already liaised with the government sectors involved in this regard. AIESEC is now registered in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, as an independent body, and can exercise its functions, one of which is to sponsor visits of inbound interns to Oman.

The ministry has also encouraged public and private higher education institutions to participate and contribute with AIESEC in order to activate its noble functions. What sets AIESEC’s internship programme apart from others? The exchange programme will open the doors for Omani youth to develop their skills in any of the countries where AIESEC currently operates, and at the same time give Omani businesses the chance to access an international talent pool to fulfill their business needs in temporary roles while building future local capacity.

Qusai - Don Legend the Kamelion

Recently, my sister bought an Music CD of Qusai a Saudi Rapper aka Don Legend the Kamelion.

At first I felt odd listening to an Arab rapper, specially from the KSA; but he rocked with 'The Wedding' (Saudi Wedding rap song) by Qusai and Jeddah Legend, a mix of Arabic & English lyrics.

His website is DonLegend.com.

I hope you enjoy the music video.

The legendary Egyptian filmmaker dies

(Photo from www.sudplanete.net)

My condolences to the family of MR. Youssef Chahine/ Yousuf shaheen and all his fans for his death.





Youssef Chahine/ Yousuf shaheen ,the Arab cinema's most celebrated director has passed away 27th July, 2007. His soal has depaerted his vavid body at 3:30 am after been in coma for weeks.



I watched his last film he have directed with Khaled Youssef ‘Heya Fawda (This Is Chaos)’ - 2007 (premiere at the Venice Film Festival)

(Photo from tadrart.com/tessalit/lechaos)

His official website is http://www.youssefchahine.us/. As per the post date, the website is currently temporary suspended due overtraffic.

Distance Rape, Wikipedia a book and Oman Air will adopt OnAir

Distance Rape
A Tunisian family sue young man for 'Distance Rape' their daughter via the phone. Source.


Print Germany version of Wikipedia
Bertelsmann, a German publisher will print the Germany version of ‘Wikipedia’ the popular online encyclopaedia.

The 993-page book will contain approximately 50,000 definitions and 1,000 illustrations.

It may appear in Germany stores in September 2008. More information about Bertelsmann in Wikipedia.


Oman Air will adopt OnAir
By year 2009, Oman Air passengers will be able to use their own portable electronic devices, including laptop computers, mobile phones, smartphones and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), to communicate inflight , they will be able to send and receive text messages, emails including attachments, and to make and receive mobile phone calls during flights, just as they do on the ground via OnAir inflight passenger communication.

Support Oman Air

Yesterday, I was talking to my sister regarding 2008 holiday arrangement, she started talking about Oman Air, the Omani national airways, and while she was talking to her co-worker advised her to use the Omani national aircraft instead of the foreign airways as the revenue comes in the country not outside.

I agree with the above point as the airways can expand and more national manpower can be employed locally and internationally.

Seeb International Airport to be renamed Muscat International Airport

Dear prospective visitors of Sultanate of Oman,
In December 2007, the OAMC officials has announced that the name of Seeb International Airport will be changed to Muscat International Airport Effective from 1st February 2008.

Effective from 1st February 2008, the name of Seeb International Airport will be changed to Muscat International Airport, the new name focuses on Muscat, the city whose name is historically associated with the country which is known worldwide. The necessary approvals for the change of name have been obtained from the International Civil Aviation Organization, hence Muscat International Airport will propagate globally.

Sultanate of Oman has two international airports Muscat International Airport and Salalah International Airport, which are managed and directed by Oman Airports Management Company S.A.O.C (OAMC).