From jduester at oman.org Fri Jun 6 12:37:37 2008 From: jduester at oman.org (Joachim Duester) Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 14:37:37 +0200 (CEST) Subject: [Oman-L] Oman Week in Berlin, Germany, 25 June - 2 July 2008 Message-ID: <926353.68021.qm@web37908.mail.mud.yahoo.com> An Oman Cultural Week will take place in Berlin from 25 June to 2 July 2008. The main event will be an exhibition "Art and Culture from Oman" at the Art Center Berlin Friedrichstrasse (see http://www.art-center-berlin.de/english/ausstellungen/frame.html) Other events will include musical folklore and a round table on Oman at the Free University on 30 June. Oman is also this year's partner country at the 11th German-Arab Economic Forum which takes place in Berlin from 25 to 27 June 2008. For the Forum's programme, see http://www.ghorfa.net/?page=home&menu=&id=600 In connection with the Oman events in Berlin, the German-Omani Association will hold its annual meeting in Berlin on Friday, 27 June 2008, at 15:00 hours in the premises of the German-Arab Friendship Association, Kontorhaus, Friedrichstr. 185, 10117 Berlin. The associations website is at http://www.deutschoman.de From jduester at oman.org Wed Jun 11 15:50:58 2008 From: jduester at oman.org (Joachim Duester) Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:50:58 +0200 (CEST) Subject: [Oman-L] Fellowships for MARES, an Oman-related maritime ethnography research project Message-ID: <773717.8029.qm@web37907.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Islamic History and Maritime Ethnography Exceptional researchers are needed for an exciting collaborative three-year project. Directed by Professor Dionisius Agius, the fivestrong team will work on the MARES project (Maritime Ethnography of the Arabian/Persian Gulf and the Red Sea: people, trade and pilgrimage from the emergence of Islam to the coming of the Portuguese in the Western Indian Ocean). Two PhD Studentships Tuition fees (UK/EU or International rate) and ?7,500 annual stipend. You will need a Masters degree in a relevant subject and ideally have a background in archaeology. To apply send your CV, covering letter, 1,000-word outline of your intended area of research and names of two academic referees to Sarmishtha Ghosh, s.ghosh at exeter.ac.uk, tel: 01392 264019. Two Postdoctoral Research Fellows Salary in the range ?23,577 ? ?25,763 per annum. Successful candidates will hold or be completing a PhD in Islamic History or associated discipline. Spending time in the field, you will undertake archival research and oral history and submit papers for publication. Application packs are available from www.admin.exeter.ac.uk/personnel/jobs (ref no. N1627/N1628). Completed applications should be sent to Charlie Rushforth, c.rushforth at exeter.ac.uk, tel: 01392 263277. All four posts are full-time over three years, starting 1 October 2008. All applicants will need a good command of Classical Arabic and spoken Arabic (if researching the Red Sea) plus Classical and Modern Persian (if focusing on Arabian/Persian Gulf). Deadline for all applications 15 July. Interviews on 4 August (studentships) and 5 August (fellows). For more information contact: Professor Dionisius Agius, d.a.agius at exeter.ac.uk, tel: 01392 269257. The University of Exeter is an equal opportunity employer and promotes diversity in its workforce and, whilst applicants will be judged on merit alone, is particularly keen to consider application from groups currently under represented in the workforce. From jduester at oman.org Sat Jun 14 10:58:46 2008 From: jduester at oman.org (Joachim Duester) Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:58:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Oman-L] International airports for Ras al-Hadd and Duqm ? Message-ID: <854292.83694.qm@web37906.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Nine firms apply to prequalify for Ras al Hadd airport contracts Oman Daily Observer, 14 June 2008 Nine construction firms have signalled their intent to participate in a competitive government tender for the development of an airport at Ras al-Hadd in the Sharqiyah region. The new airport is seen as key to the Omani government?s goal of positioning Ras al-Hadd as a world-class eco-tourism destination, centring largely on its turtle breeding beaches, nature reserve and potentially rich archaeological heritage. The greenfield facility, targeted for launch in the fourth quarter of 2010, is part of an ambitious tourism master plan that includes the development of a number of eco-tourism resorts along the scenic Gulf of Oman coast. Several international firms are also among those applying to prequalify for construction contracts linked to the development of airside and terminal facilities as part of the Ras al Hadd airport project. The line-up of parties responding by last week?s prequalification deadline are Desert Line Projects, Samwhan Corporation, Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction, Larsen & Toubro (Oman), Strabag Oman, Bahwan Contracting, Galfar Engineering, Alsim Alarko Sanayi and Shanfari Trading. The Ministry of Transport and Communications has envisaged development of the airport in two packages. One package, covering the airside facilities, entails the construction of a four-kilometre-long and 75-metre-wide runway, as well as taxiway, apron and car parking. The other package provides for the construction of the passenger terminal building, concourse and Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, as well as the provision of boarding bridges, baggage handling and security systems and fire-fighting facilities. Built to Code F design standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the airport will be suitable for some of the largest aircraft in operation today, including the Airbus Superjumbo A380. Authorities are also pursuing development of another airport project at Duqm on the southeastern edge of the Sultanate. The greenfield facility will be constructed in three phases. In the first phase of the project, also known as Package 1, the selected contractor will develop access facilities and build utilities that serve the airport during the operational phase. Package 2 covers the construction of the runways, while the terminal and associated facilities will be built in Package 3. The new airport is expected to spur Duqm?s development into a world-scale industrial, petrochemical and commercial hub with a major Port and Dry Dock project at its centre. When operational in the year 2012, Duqm International Airport is also expected to handle some of the largest aircraft in service today, as well as a range of heavy lift aircraft. From d.werbeck at juno.com Sat Jun 14 12:50:16 2008 From: d.werbeck at juno.com (d.werbeck at juno.com) Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2008 12:50:16 GMT Subject: [Oman-L] International airports for Ras al-Hadd and Duqm ? Message-ID: <20080614.135016.24642.3@webmail05.dca.untd.com> I think an extensive...series of photographs of the new airport being built for future generation would be...ideal...as also that of the Bedu...and desert life as it exists today...before it completely...evaporates would be ideal... I would like to know if you will sponsor me in this. Sincerely Mr. David C. WERBECK -- Joachim Duester wrote: Nine firms apply to prequalify for Ras al Hadd airport contracts Oman Daily Observer, 14 June 2008 Nine construction firms have signalled their intent to participate in a competitive government tender for the development of an airport at Ras al-Hadd in the Sharqiyah region. The new airport is seen as key to the Omani government???s goal of positioning Ras al-Hadd as a world-class eco-tourism destination, centring largely on its turtle breeding beaches, nature reserve and potentially rich archaeological heritage. The greenfield facility, targeted for launch in the fourth quarter of 2010, is part of an ambitious tourism master plan that includes the development of a number of eco-tourism resorts along the scenic Gulf of Oman coast. Several international firms are also among those applying to prequalify for construction contracts linked to the development of airside and terminal facilities as part of the Ras al Hadd airport project. The line-up of parties responding by last week???s prequalification deadline are Desert Line Projects, Samwhan Corporation, Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction, Larsen & Toubro (Oman), Strabag Oman, Bahwan Contracting, Galfar Engineering, Alsim Alarko Sanayi and Shanfari Trading. The Ministry of Transport and Communications has envisaged development of the airport in two packages. One package, covering the airside facilities, entails the construction of a four-kilometre-long and 75-metre-wide runway, as well as taxiway, apron and car parking. The other package provides for the construction of the passenger terminal building, concourse and Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, as well as the provision of boarding bridges, baggage handling and security systems and fire-fighting facilities. Built to Code F design standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the airport will be suitable for some of the largest aircraft in operation today, including the Airbus Superjumbo A380. Authorities are also pursuing development of another airport project at Duqm on the southeastern edge of the Sultanate. The greenfield facility will be constructed in three phases. In the first phase of the project, also known as Package 1, the selected contractor will develop access facilities and build utilities that serve the airport during the operational phase. Package 2 covers the construction of the runways, while the terminal and associated facilities will be built in Package 3. The new airport is expected to spur Duqm???s development into a world-scale industrial, petrochemical and commercial hub with a major Port and Dry Dock project at its centre. When operational in the year 2012, Duqm International Airport is also expected to handle some of the largest aircraft in service today, as well as a range of heavy lift aircraft. _______________________________________________ Oman-L mailing list Oman-L at oman.org http://oman.org/mailman/listinfo/oman-l ____________________________________________________________ Summer Spa Sweepstakes Enter for your chance to WIN a Summer Spa Vacation! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/JKFkuJi7UbfY1hrsPbj0PfoR4Z9y5VwhLrHrNwW0okeEtUeIxLyTrC/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://oman.org/pipermail/oman-l/attachments/20080614/b1f984e4/attachment.html From perrycas at optusnet.com.au Sat Jun 14 23:42:42 2008 From: perrycas at optusnet.com.au (perrycas) Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2008 09:42:42 +1000 Subject: [Oman-L] International airports for Ras al-Hadd and Duqm ? In-Reply-To: <20080614.135016.24642.3@webmail05.dca.untd.com> References: <20080614.135016.24642.3@webmail05.dca.untd.com> Message-ID: <48545772.3070602@optusnet.com.au> I was at Ras al Had in 2000 and they couldn't manage to keep the dogs off the beach then, which were digging up the turtle eggs, I can just imagine what a mess this will be,and for very little gain. Oman's record of dredging Salalah that lagged behind ship design is being repeated here: there are sufficient cuts in world tourism flights as a result of the present fuel prices to suggest that it might be reasonable to have a good think about creating an international airport for a marginal destination like this. There are better ways to develop the place for ecotourism . pcas d.werbeck at juno.com wrote: > > > > > > I think an extensive...series of photographs of the new airport being > built for future generation would be...ideal...as also that of the > Bedu...and desert life as it exists today...before it > completely...evaporates > > would be ideal... > > I would like to know if you will sponsor me in this. > > Sincerely > > Mr. David C. WERBECK > > -- Joachim Duester wrote: > Nine firms apply to prequalify for Ras al Hadd airport contracts > Oman Daily Observer, 14 June 2008 > > Nine construction firms have signalled their intent to participate in > a competitive government tender for the development of an airport at > Ras al-Hadd in the Sharqiyah region. > > The new airport is seen as key to the Omani government???s goal of > positioning Ras al-Hadd as a world-class eco-tourism destination, > centring largely on its turtle breeding beaches, nature reserve and > potentially rich archaeological heritage. > > The greenfield facility, targeted for launch in the fourth quarter of > 2010, is part of an ambitious tourism master plan that includes the > development of a number of eco-tourism resorts along the scenic Gulf > of Oman coast. > > Several international firms are also among those applying to > prequalify for construction contracts linked to the development of > airside and terminal facilities as part of the Ras al Hadd airport > project. The line-up of parties responding by last week???s > prequalification deadline are Desert Line Projects, Samwhan > Corporation, Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction, Larsen & Toubro > (Oman), Strabag Oman, Bahwan Contracting, Galfar Engineering, Alsim > Alarko Sanayi and Shanfari Trading. > > The Ministry of Transport and Communications has envisaged development > of the airport in two packages. One package, covering the airside > facilities, entails the construction of a four-kilometre-long and > 75-metre-wide runway, as well as taxiway, apron and car parking. The > other package provides for the construction of the passenger terminal > building, concourse and Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, as well as > the provision of boarding bridges, baggage handling and security > systems and fire-fighting facilities. > > Built to Code F design standards of the International Civil Aviation > Organisation (ICAO), the airport will be suitable for some of the > largest aircraft in operation today, including the Airbus Superjumbo > A380. Authorities are also pursuing development of another airport > project at Duqm on the southeastern edge of the Sultanate. The > greenfield facility will be constructed in three phases. In the first > phase of the project, also known as Package 1, the selected contractor > will develop access facilities and build utilities that serve the > airport during the operational phase. Package 2 covers the > construction of the runways, while the terminal and associated > facilities will be built in Package 3. > > The new airport is expected to spur Duqm???s development into a > world-scale industrial, petrochemical and commercial hub with a major > Port and Dry Dock project at its centre. When operational in the year > 2012, Duqm International Airport is also expected to handle some of > the largest aircraft in service today, as well as a range of heavy > lift aircraft. > > _______________________________________________ > Oman-L mailing list > Oman-L at oman.org > http://oman.org/mailman/listinfo/oman-l > > > > ____________________________________________________________ > Summer Spa Sweepstakes > Enter for your chance to WIN a Summer Spa Vacation! > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Oman-L mailing list > Oman-L at oman.org > http://oman.org/mailman/listinfo/oman-l > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.3.0/1503 - Release Date: 14/06/2008 6:02 PM > From jduester at oman.org Mon Jun 16 11:40:27 2008 From: jduester at oman.org (Joachim Duester) Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2008 04:40:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Oman-L] Manumission movement and slavery in the Persian Gulf in the 1920s (lecture: Berlin, ZMO, 26 June 2008) Message-ID: <224074.61636.qm@web37904.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Prof. Jerzy Zdanowski will give a lecture on "Manumission movement and slavery in the Persian Gulf in the 1920s" at the ZMO Centre for Modern Oriental Studies, Kirchweg 33, 14129 Berlin, on Thursday, 26 June 2006, at 18:00 hours. Details can be found at http://www.zmo.de/veranstaltungen/2008/vortrag_zdanowski.pdf Information on ZMO at http://www.zmo.de Information on Prof. Jerzy Zdanowski at The purpose of this lecture is to show what can be assumed from the British archives about the slave trade and slavery in the Persian Gulf and neighboring countries between 1925 and 1950. The study is based on 72 records of the archive group R/15 "The Bushire Residency" (the reference R/15/1) followed by the Agencies: Bahrain, R/15/2, Sharjah, R/15/4, Kuwait, R/15/5, and Muscat, R/15/6. Each record contains between 77 and 199 files with applications of fugitive slaves who were entering the British agencies on the Arabian shore of the Persian Gulf demanding manumission. The first manumission certificate found dated 1925, the last one ? 1950. Besides slaves stories, the data make it possible to draw conclusions on principal slave routers, waves of influx of the slaves, categories of the slaves, the manumission statistics (694 certificates issued between 1929 and 1938), the British policy and procedures, relations between the slaves and owners, advantages and disadvantages of the slavery, the place of slavery in the economic and social structure. The basic conclusions are contrasted with those found in chosen excellent studies on this subject based on archival sources, among them Suzanne Miers "Slavery and the slave trade in Saudi Arabia and the Arab states on the Persian Gulf, 1921-1963". From jduester at oman.org Tue Jun 17 09:02:51 2008 From: jduester at oman.org (Joachim Duester) Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:02:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Oman-L] Oman inflation surges to 12.4 per cent Message-ID: <92856.31788.qm@web37903.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Oman inflation surges to 12.4pc Source: Reuters, 17 June 2008 Inflation in Oman accelerated to a record 12.4 per cent in April as soaring global food prices and rents intensify price pressures across the world's biggest oil-exporting region. Food and beverage costs ? which account for almost a third of the consumer price index ? jumped 21.6 per cent in the year to April 30, the Omani Ministry of National Economy said on its web site yesterday. Rents also underpinned the index's 11th straight monthly rise, surging 16.2 per cent in April. Oman's consumer price index hit 122.1 points on April 30 compared with 108.6 points a year earlier, the data showed. Prices rose 1.2 per cent over March. Inflation is accelerating across the Gulf Arab region, where most countries, including Oman, peg their currencies to the ailing dollar, which is driving up import costs. But currency weakness is only part of the problem, accounting for about a fifth of inflation guided largely by high global commodity prices, Oman's central bank chief, Hamood Sangour al-Zadjali, said in February. Prices for cereals jumped 36.7 per cent and milk and milk products 30.4 per cent in April, the data showed. "What happens next depends very much on global food prices and the U.S. dollar," said Monica Malik, a regional economist at EFG-Hermes investment bank. "Inflation in Oman and the wider Gulf will remain elevated going forward as strong economic growth increases demand, particularly for housing," she said. Zadjali has repeatedly said Oman is committed to keeping a dollar peg that has helped it attract foreign investments. But forward rates show investors betting the Oman rial could rise 2.7 per cent in a year. Inflation probably hit a 20-year peak of 11.4 per cent last year in the UAE, according to a Reuters poll in May.