Our Embassy helping the Lebanese!

I was just told by a close friend that Embassy of Oman in Lebanon transported all the Lebanese in Lebanon to Oman who have family residing in Oman. I know this doesnt solve the problem but any help or support, no matter how small it is...counts in moments like this. I hope our Embassy does more. UAE is now also being vocal politically on their newspapers about the war in Lebanon. I hope this encourages all the Arab Nations to unite, put their foot down and constructively make noise.

Relieved... a little bit.

Letter to Palestinian and Lebanese filmmakers from Israeli filmmakers

This letter was written to coincide with the opening of the Arab Film Biennial in Paris 22 July 2006We, the undersigned Israeli filmmakers, greet the Arab filmmakers who have gathered in Paris for the Arab Film Biennial. Through you, we wish to convey a message of camaraderie and solidarity with our Lebanese and Palestinian colleagues who are currently besieged and bombarded by our country's army.

We unequivocally oppose the brutality and cruelty of Israeli policy, which has reached new heights in recent weeks. Nothing justifies the continued occupation, closure, and oppression in Palestine. Nothing justifies the bombing of civilians and the destruction of infrastructures in Lebanon and Gaza.

Allow us to tell you that your films, which we try to see and circulate among us, are extremely important in our eyes. They enable us to know and understand you better. Thanks to these films, the men, women, and children who suffer in Gaza, Beirut, and everywhere else our army exercises its violence - have names and faces. We would like to thank you and encourage you to keep on filming, despite the difficulties.

For our part, we will continue to express through our films, with our raised voices, and in our personal actions our vehement opposition to the occupation, and we will continue to express our desire for freedom, justice, and equality among all the peoples of the region.

Nurith Aviv, Ilil Alexander, Adi Arbel, Yael Bartana, Philippe Bellaiche, Simone Bitton, Michale Boganim, Amit Breuer, Shai Carmeli-Pollack, Sami S. Chetrit, Danae Elon, Anat Even, Jack Faber, Avner Fainguelernt, Ari Folman, Gali Gold, BZ Goldberg, Sharon Hamou, Amir Harel, Avraham Heffner, Rachel Leah Jones, Dalia Karpel, Avi Kleinberger, Elonor Kowarsky, Edna Kowarsky, Philippa Kowarsky, Ram Loevi, Avi Mograbi, Jud Neeman, David Ofek, Iris Rubin, Abraham Segal, Nurith Shareth, Julie Shlez, Eyal Sivan, Yael Shavit, Eran Torbiner, Osnat Trabelsi, Daniel Waxman, Keren Yedaya

Lebanon: She Cries...

I cannot believe that this is happening and continuing in Lebanon. I cannot digest it. It's incomprehensible.

I'm so saddened at the silence of the world around us.
I'm so shocked that there's nothing left of humanity.
I'm so scared that so much injustice goes on and the whole world turns a blind eye to it.
It's too surreal, I'm in denial. I'm in disbelief.
Is this just a tragic theatre drama?
I'm so ashamed of being part of this human race.
I'm so dissapointed in myself that I cannot do anything in my power even if I wanted to even if I had potential to do so because I'd probably get killed for it before even planning to execute it.
I'm so ashamed of being an Arab and watching our nations fragmented not knowing the meaning and importance of unity.
It's so hard to digest how people are incredibly self-absorbed and loveless.
The way things are going, I see that human beings will make each other extinct.

What a disgrace!

Rally in Sydney for Lebanon

It's about time people started rallying! Go Sydney!

Singapore

Just landed in Singapore today. It's been almost 15 yrs ago the last time I stepped my foot in this country. Of course, being older now, I would notice and look at things differently. The airport being spectacularly clean, people are so organised, everything just seems so systematic.

I'm only going to be here for about 5 days for a conference. I hope it will be interesting and an opportunity to network with others from different countries. I'm glad that we are staying at Sentosa island (Rasa Sentosa Resort by Shangri-la). To be honest, it's neat and all but it's not the high up scale Shangri La that one would expect. At the same time, I didn't expect this resort to be massive. I loved the entrance to the island, it's like one hell of a big jungle, a gorgeous one too, colors that cover a whole spectrum of shades :-)

Will post pictures soon!

Working for SOM

Having completed 6 months at SOM, I considered pitching in a few thoughts about my experience here. It unquestionably has been a new and exciting experience for me. It was new because I spent 7 years working with foreigners in a male-dominated environment in different countries and now I’m at a workplace in my home country with other fellow Omanis that fortunately has a good balance of males and females. Not meaning to sound like a feminist, speaking of a contrasting yet genial experience, my department is 100% Omani females. Considering that the function of Finance has always been envisaged as a man’s world; SOM undoubtedly breaks that conventional theory.

From the work facet, it has been a pleasant challenge because my career took a sharp transformation from being a consultant to a process owner, from advising how to mitigate risks to actually making decisions and owning my risks and last but not least seizing a managerial job with no direct experience in it. What impressed me the most is that during the interview and selection process, they focused more on me as an individual and how I catch sight of ideas as opposed to just head-hunting for a working device that has related experience. This truly impressed me and had a direct impact in aiding me to accept the offer.

I have to acknowledge that SOM is one of the very few organizations in the country that is exceptionally well structured, works stringently around policies and procedures, develops its human capital and offers equal opportunities. For this reason amongst many, I look forward to being part of the developments that SOM fosters.