January 2013 ~ NA/ME Explores OMAN!

[Annacia]

WOW, things are really popping in here this morning. Go Ummie!

[Annacia]

I've been looking at Omani celebrations.

National Holidays

New Year’s Day January 1

NATIONAL DAY

National Day and birthday of Sultan Qaboos on November 18.
National Day is a big thing in Oman, a celebration of Sultan Qaboos's birthday and the country itself. The formal celebrations are moved to a different location around the country each year. There are usually camel races, traditional dancing, and lots of lights strung about. The evening is completed with a show of fireworks. Images of the Sultan and the Omani flag are erected all over the country.

RAMADAN

Ramadan is the month during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, and feast from dusk until dawn. Normal business patterns may be interrupted, many restaurants close and it is illegal for Muslims and non-Muslims to eat, drink or smoke in public. Alcohol is not served publicly at any time during Ramadan. Shopping centres are open late (LOL some things are the same world wide).

EID AL FITR

Eid Al Fitr is a three-day celebration following Ramadan. It is a festive family time during which Muslims do not fast, in fact, it is a time for feasting. The first day of Eid begins before dawn. Muslims gather in large outdoor areas for the first prayer of the day. Returning home from prayer, Muslims spend the day greeting friends and family. Homes are busy with visitors arriving throughout the day. Sweets, fruits, and snacks are offered to all and gifts are often given to children.

Events celebrated in Oman are generally Muslim festivals and feasts. Exact dates change from year to year according to the Islamic lunar calendar. The following events are public holidays, and move forward by approximately 11 days each year. Ramadan (Month of fasting and feasting)


From: Oman Travel Guides

[Annacia]

On a side note, this isn't Omani but I can't resist sharing it. Hope lives!

The Holiday of Holidays: Jews,Christians and Muslims celebrate together in Haifa
Posted by Amtul Q Farhat



Source: Live Leak: A parade of performers dressed in costumes representing the season’s various holidays gathered in the Israel northern city of Haifa for a festive celebration of the region’s religiously diverse community.

Video: http://www.themuslimtimes.org/2012/12/religion/the-holiday-of-holidays-jewschristians-and-muslims-celebrate-together-in-haifa

The annual festival, known as the Holiday of the Holidays, celebrates Christian Christmas, Muslim Eid al-Adha and Jewish Hanukkah.

While the festival attracted plenty of Muslims residents this year, Eid al-Adha was not actually celebrated because it took place in October.

[Annacia]

Renaissance Day, Oman –A Yearly Celebration




Today, July 23 2012, is a holiday in the Sultanate of Oman. This year it occurs on the 3rd day of Ramadan in Oman and it is greatly appreciated for all of us working this summer! This celebration, known as “Renaissance Day“, gives thanks to the day Sultan Qaboos bin Said began his rule in 1970, transforming the country into the modern, advanced nation that it is today! Congratulations to all Omanis!!!

[Elmotoo]

Well done, Annacia!

[Annacia]

Above all, I ask you, how could you resist that child's eyes?

[Dienia B.]

hi guys ive got some recipes for oman , im not sure how real they are but its all i could really find the fish soup was the hardest cause it was 4 pieces of tomato ect , something was lost in the translation lol it was interesting because of the king fish , they use it so much there that it is being overfished and they are trying to farm it like salmon . these are the recipes that i found
Mango Custard Oman Style 493092
Bapalo Omani Fish Soup 493090
Oman Zucchini Spinach Soup 493088
Spinach Mushroom Rice Bake Oman Style 492958
Tuna over Rice Oman 492955
Khabeesa Oman Cream of Wheat 492953

[Dienia B.]

UmmBinat wrote:

Elmotoo wrote:

UmmBinat wrote:
I made and reviewed,

Spinach Mushroom Rice Bake Oman Style #492958 by Dienia B. which btw is not in the cookbook. It doesn't seem authentic though.

Interestingly a spinach recipe again...

It's acceptably close. It calls for ajwain but Dee put in thyme with ajwain as a sub. *I* would like to see more recipes using this spice since i have some!

Oh right I noticed that. It's a spice of India, imagine that....

they seem to have alot of indian influence in their recipes at least the ones that i found

[Dienia B.]

Elmotoo wrote:

UmmBinat wrote:
I made and reviewed,

Spinach Mushroom Rice Bake Oman Style #492958 by Dienia B. which btw is not in the cookbook. It doesn't seem authentic though.

Interestingly a spinach recipe again...

It's acceptably close. It calls for ajwain but Dee put in thyme with ajwain as a sub. *I* would like to see more recipes using this spice since i have some!

they said it was stronger than thyme is that your take ?

[Dienia B.]

Elmotoo wrote:
i can see powdered ginger maybe not dissolving properly. i keep a jar of grated ginger in the fridge for use in marinades & such. wicked handy.

i love it it is very handy and not very expensive either lol

[Annacia]

YAY Dee. Hi and welcome

More additions, good job.

[UmmBinat]

Dienia B. wrote:

UmmBinat wrote:

Elmotoo wrote:

UmmBinat wrote:
I made and reviewed,

Spinach Mushroom Rice Bake Oman Style #492958 by Dienia B. which btw is not in the cookbook. It doesn't seem authentic though.

Interestingly a spinach recipe again...

It's acceptably close. It calls for ajwain but Dee put in thyme with ajwain as a sub. *I* would like to see more recipes using this spice since i have some!

Oh right I noticed that. It's a spice of India, imagine that....

they seem to have alot of indian influence in their recipes at least the ones that i found

Yes they do. I was referring to it earlier in the thread that's why this message. There has been a lot of intermarriages by Omani males with Indian females in the past.

[UmmBinat]

Annacia wrote:
YAY Dee. Hi and welcome

More additions, good job.

Double YAY!

[Dienia B.]

umm binat if you can look over the recipes ive posted and then maybe i can fine tune them . thanks cause im finding more but sometimes they dont give the amounts of things or they are different than ours

[Dienia B.]

found 3 more if you can post picture of loomi which is a black lime and bezar which is the spice mix ive posted you would have to dial it back aways but at least i have ratios
Bezar Spice Mix Oman 493288
Fish Matchboos Oman 493287
Oman Meatball Subs 493279