Al Shindagah

Al Shindagah | Issue 140 | 17 ancient irrigation system called falaj. I was taken to see the latest irrigations systems, which I was pleased to see still bear resemblance to the ones I remember; full of charm and tradition. Modernization has not taken over this beautiful part of the world. The falaj remains the main sources of irrigation water in this area beside wells. The falaj taps into the underground water which is led by a man-made channel to the villages. I was impressed by the workmanship and pleased to see that Oman has retained so much of its authenticity. The authenticity extended to the traditional Omani hospitality I received on my visit. I was greeted by many including the son of the former wali of Al Buraimi. The gathering at Al Hila Fort, an old Islamic fort which dates back to the 18th Century AD, reminded me of the rich cultural ties we have with our Omani brothers. It has been 30 years since my previous visit to the area, although I did visit the capital Muscat in 2017. I will not leave it so long until my next visit, and I urge others to take the same journey. As I headed back to Dubai, the Hajar Mountains in the distance faded into the background, but they have left an indelible mark on my memory.