VZCZCXRO6448
RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMS #1487/01 2940333
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 210333Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7288
INFO RUEHZM/GCC COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 001487 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SOCI ECON MU
SUBJECT: RAMADAN IN OMAN: SPIRITS ARE HIGH, BUT SO ARE PRICES 
 
REF:  MUSCAT 01468 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1.  (SBU) Omanis are in a generally positive mood as Ramadan draws 
to a close.  Seasonal goodwill, however, has been blemished by 
complaints of price increases on basic foodstuffs and other items. 
As elsewhere in the region, Omanis are watching Arabic-language 
serial programs on television produced especially for Ramadan, while 
the country's small Shia community may be increasingly tuning to 
media outlets backed by Iran and Hezbollah.  The fledgling Oman 
Journalists' Association has provided an alternative to evening 
parties by sponsoring unprecedented public fora featuring 
presentations by government ministers.  End Summary. 
 
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A POSITIVE MOOD 
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¶2.  (U) The occasion of Ramadan tends to generate good feelings in 
Oman, and this year is no exception.  Despite sobering events in 
other parts of the region, the mood at Ramadan gatherings is 
generally upbeat.  The "hubta," a traditional village market set up 
sometime during the last week of Ramadan, is both the subject and 
venue of much conversation.  More than a market, the hubta is a 
social event where Omanis - who use reduced work hours and the break 
in routine to reinforce personal relationships - go to mingle with 
friends and remember their traditions.  According to some observers, 
an increasing number of young Omani women are venturing out in 
groups to smoke sheesha and enjoy the festive evening atmosphere. 
 
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ON THE AIRWAVES 
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¶3.  (SBU) "Musalsallat," Arabic-language television programs 
appearing in daily installments, dominate the airwaves during 
Ramadan in Oman.  This year, the Saudi program "Tash Matash" is a 
favorite of many viewers, with its depiction of social issues in the 
Arab world, including terrorism.  Peak viewing time tends to be 
after the daily iftaar (evening meal that breaks the fast), although 
programs are repeated and run throughout the day.  For news, many in 
Oman's Shia community are turning to the Iranian Arabic-language 
"Al-Alam" channel, as well as Lebanese Hezbollah's "Al-Manar." It is 
believed that the popularity of both channels has increased this 
year, in the wake of Israeli-Hezbollah combat over the summer. 
(Note: Omani Shia comprise no more than 5% of the population, are 
well integrated into Omani society, and in general hold no loyalty 
to Iran.  End Note.) 
 
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GRUMBLING ABOUT PRICES 
------------------------ 
 
¶4.  (SBU) One of the major topics of discussion during this Ramadan, 
and a primary source of complaints, is rising food prices, 
particularly the cost of basic foodstuffs that are integral to 
Ramadan celebrations and the Eid al-Fitr holiday.  Sporadic 
shortages of dairy products have added to grumbling.  A kilo of meat 
that was 1.5 Omani Riyals (OR) before Ramadan could rise to 2.4 OR, 
with select cuts going for as much as 3.2 OR.  (Note:  Four major 
meat distributors, all owned by government officials, effectively 
dominate the Omani market.  Meat vendors view the seasonal spike in 
demand as an opportunity to boost profits.  End Note.)  As in 
previous years, prices also have risen for fish, chicken, coffee, 
sugar, rice, flour, fruits and vegetables, though they are expected 
to gradually decrease after the Eid.  As a result, some consumers 
are settling for cheaper goods like dry, salted fish as they try to 
save money for the next big holiday, the Eid al-Hajj (Eid al-Adha). 
The food price increases are magnified by other holiday expenses 
such as the tradition of buying new clothing, receiving visitors, 
and funding extra entertainment for the household.  Omanis grouse 
that traditional Ramadan promotions on everything from automobiles 
to trinkets are noticeably less generous than in the past. 
 
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AWAY FROM MUSCAT 
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¶5.  (U) In provincial towns like Salalah in the far south, food 
shortages and price rises tend to be felt more acutely than in 
Muscat, since there are no large supermarkets and sellers' supplies 
often cannot meet demand.  This is offset somewhat, however, by the 
small farms and livestock owned by Omanis outside the capital area, 
which provide an alternate source of milk and meat.  An additional 
headache reported by many outside Muscat is irregular business 
hours, which make shopping difficult.  Some speculate that a 
shortage of Omani workers in the retail sector, caused in part by 
the government's "Omanization" program, may be one reason for 
shortened and inconvenient store hours.  Omani employees with young 
 
MUSCAT 00001487  002 OF 002 
 
 
children and heavy family obligations are also less disposed to keep 
long hours at their place of business.  In contrast, some businesses 
in Muscat, including the Sultan Center - one of the larger 
supermarkets - are open 24-hours daily during the holiday. 
 
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JOURNALISTS HOLD FORA 
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¶6.  (U) One new development this Ramadan is the growing activism of 
the fledging Omani Journalist Association (OJA).  The OJA has 
conducted well-received public forums with the Ministers of 
Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Commerce & Industry about 2007 
elections for the Majlis al-Shura (reftel), international relations, 
and the newly signed U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement (septel), 
respectively. 
 
FONTENEAU