Last week, the country peacefully commemorated the Renaissance Day on July 23, the day on which the Sultanate started the journey of change from one era to another. It witnessed a march of development and modernity that enabled the country to be in the line of political and economic changes in the region.
All these changes, which have helped in transferring the deserts into modern cities, have surpassed the achievements seen in many cities around the world that have been developed and civilised since hundreds of years ago.
The tranquil celebration of this national occasion has a wise reason — the social media and SMS were very active spreading the warm greetings and happy wishes to commemorate the occasion. This reflects the sense of strong national belonging of citizens to this beloved country and its leader His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. However, celebrating this day also means preparing for another fifth decade for the Omani blessed Renaissance.
The new era of Renaissance should not merely focus on the media reports claiming that every project accomplished in the country is an achievement by itself. Today, people are well aware of what is going on around them and they are able to carefully distinguish the reality between the circumstances taking place around them in the real life.
People usually don’t care about what is announced by the Tourism Ministry as more tourism projects are being established in the Sultanate. In comparison to other countries around the world visited by the Omani citizens, obviously there is nothing much for the people that they can compare with and which can prove as the start of something that can be recognisable as a commendable tourism project.
Al Ashkhara can be taken as a real example as it is one of the most prominent and popular tourist destinations not only in the Al Sharqiyah Governorate, but in the whole country. It is distinguished for its pleasing and tranquil cool summer with the cold breeze and attractive golden beaches. However, when you visit the place, you can see nothing but an old public park looking like one from the olden ages with no other facilities provided for tourists and visitors.
Another example can be that of the comparison between building a private villa where the citizen pays RO 150 per metre at maximum rate and that of establishing a government project where each metre costs more than RO 1,000. The real evidence of this kind of comparison can be seen at the new headquarters of the Education Ministry. It is a very clear example.
The new generation is more careful and clever enough to know about all that is going on backstage during the completion of government projects, unlike in the past when people didn’t pay much attention to how much has been spent in a project as long as it is accomplished
The current issue, which is a cause of worry for hundreds if not tens of thousands of people, is about theatre sector as there is no real and outstanding theatre building available in the Sultanate! Why can’t this facility be offered for theatre enthusiasts after 42 years of the Omani Renaissance?
The people are always looking for a place to stage all the participating plays during the Theatre Festival. However much we may praise the cultural achievements in Oman, the past generation had been waiting patiently for their demand to be accomplished, but today’s generation doesn’t have enough patience to wait, they question and insist on what they ask for. Why is there no big and comprehensive cultural and historical centre and why are we still waiting for the completion of a national museum when we are celebrating the 42nd year of the Renaissance?
In fact, it is not the problem of a certain ministry, but an issue of a complete vision. Is the tourism sector being directed on the right track of the national development? Are cultural activities being given the deserved importance or is it restricted by economists who are unable to get any advantage from cultural activities?
There are many questions on the list waiting for an answer as we work to serve Oman’s history and culture!