Muscat: Two years after the creation of the #OmanPride series to highlight the values of charity, teamwork, humility, innovation and excellence in Oman, Times of Oman has launched a special collectors’ edition book to showcase the wonderful achievements of the Sultanate’s residents.
Whether they’ve been born in the Sultanate or have come here from afar, the achievements of the individuals in this book, which is titled #OmanPride – Inspiring Stories from the Sultanate, are sure to motivate others to follow in their footsteps, wherever they might be.
Whether it’s the trio of Ibtisam Al Salmi, Marwa Al Khalfi and Tamdhur Al Balushi, who formed Oman’s first all-women sailing team, John Burridge, the man who discovered legendary Omani goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, Zaher Al Abdissalam, who travelled to Africa to share his love of Islam and Arabic, Jacinta Machado, who has helped organise relief supplies for countless needy people, both inside the Sultanate and overseas, all of the people and their stories within this book have something in common: a need to contribute to the greater good.
“This is the first Oman Pride annual in which we’re privileged to put a spotlight on some of the Sultanate’s most special people and to share their inspirational stories with others,” said Richard Pakenham, chief sales officer for Times of Oman.
“The Oman Pride initiative was launched in 2015 by Muscat Media Group to celebrate the achievements of remarkable Omanis and expatriates in the Sultanate of Oman,” he added. “Since then there have been thousands of articles written by our journalists which appear in the Times of Oman and Al Shabiba national newspapers and online channels. The Oman Pride 2018 annual is a collection of just a few.
“We are planning a national Oman Pride Awards event later this year where people can vote for their favourite Oman Pride stars,” added Pakenham.
The locals and expatriates featured in the book come from all walks of life, but be they teachers, artists or entrepreneurs, or even those who selflessly keep Oman’s roads and footpaths neat and tidy, all of them are an inspiration for those who are looking to make a difference to look up to.
A number of major non-profit, public and private organisations have come together to support this new #OmanPride book. These include Orpic, the Saud Bahwan Group, Muna Noor, the Zubair Corporation, Dar Al At’aa and Ooredoo.