Arab presenters to join Khareef Dhofar media coverage for first time
SALALAH: For the first time, presenters from Arab countries outside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will participate in the live media coverage of Khareef Dhofar Season. The initiative is part of a wider effort by the Ministry of Information to broaden regional engagement and strengthen the cultural identity of the monsoon season.
Dr Mohammed al Sheshai, Director-General, Information Department in Dhofar Governorate, confirmed in an exclusive interview with the Observer that the ministry is fully prepared to deliver a multi-platform media campaign for Khareef Dhofar 2025. The plan includes daily live coverage across television, radio, print and digital platforms.
One of the season's flagship programmes is Al Nas Wal Khareef (The People and the Monsoon), which will be broadcast live every afternoon from 2:30 pm to 4 pm. The show will be produced from a mobile studio that travels across Dhofar's natural sites. It will feature presenters from the GCC and, for the first time, presenters from other Arab countries. This expansion reflects the ministry's aim to give the season a wider Arab media profile.
Another key programme is Layali Al Khareef (Monsoon Nights), which will air every evening from 9 pm to 10 pm from the cultural venue Awdat Al Madi (Return to the Past). This show will highlight the evening events taking place across the governorate, especially those connected to Dhofar's heritage and tourism appeal.
Radio coverage has also been expanded. The programme Atheer Al Khareef will air daily from 5 pm to 7 pm between August 15 and 31. It will be broadcast from the dedicated radio studio at Awdat Al Madi and will focus on cultural and recreational content. In addition, the general radio service will provide continuous festival coverage, while Al Khareef Wal Shabab (The Monsoon and Youth) will be dedicated to youth voices and highlight initiatives by young Omanis and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Dr Al Sheshai also confirmed that the media plan was developed in coordination with other stakeholders. A high-level meeting was recently held between Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information, and Dr Ahmed bin Mohsin al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, to finalise the media strategy and ensure alignment across all platforms.
He noted that all event zones have been renamed in Arabic as part of a broader effort to reinforce national identity. This year's coverage will also include real-time updates across newspapers, radio, TV, Oman News Agency and social media platforms. The strategy is designed to deliver a unified media message that reflects the essence of Khareef Dhofar.
Khareef Dhofar 2025 is expected to mark a new chapter in how Oman presents its most important tourism season. With wider Arab participation, refreshed media content and a fully integrated communication strategy, the Ministry of Information aims to elevate Dhofar's visibility across the region and reinforce its status as a leading cultural and natural destination.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
'Tunisian Cinema Days' ends today
The 'Tunisian Cinema Days', organised by the Oman Film Society (OFS), in cooperation with the Embassy of Tunisia in Oman, ends today, June 18. The event began under the theme 'Human Creativity in Tunisian Cinema' on June 16. The Cinema Days previewed a selection of the most important Tunisian feature and documentary films, along with dialogue seminars and discussion sessions with film-makers, with the aim of highlighting the Tunisian cinematic experience and promoting cultural and artistic exchange between the two countries. The OFS emphasised that this initiative is part of its programmes aimed at promoting Arab and international cinema and creating spaces for interaction between the Omani audience and various visual creations, especially those that address human and social issues with sophisticated artistic expression. "This cultural cooperation with Tunisia and other countries, of which we are proud, confirms our shared belief that cinema is not only a visual art, but a human language that unites, brings people together, expresses identity and preserves memory," said Mohammed bin Abdullah al Ajmi, Chairman of the Oman Film Society. The opening ceremony, held at the Ministry of Labour's Grand Hall, was attended by a select group of diplomatic and cultural figures, a number of film-makers from Oman and Tunisia, and an audience interested in the seventh art. The first day's activities concluded with the screening of the feature film 'My Son' by director Mehdi Barsaoui (96 minutes). The film explores the relationship between a father and his son in the face of contemporary social challenges. It was presented in a sensitive visual style and received great interaction from the audience, thanks to its narrative authenticity and sophisticated artistic treatment. Ezzedine El Tees, Tunisian Ambassador to Oman, said that these days would not have been possible without the distinguished historical and fraternal relations between our two brotherly peoples, and the great and valuable cooperation and generous support we have received from the Oman Film Society, a pioneer in its field with its great efforts in serving Omani and Arab cinema and culture. "This occasion represents an artistic bridge between our two brotherly countries, adding to the authentic cultural, economic and social bridges between Tunisia and Oman throughout their long shared history, present, and future."
Observer
4 days ago
- Observer
Arab presenters to join Khareef Dhofar media coverage for first time
SALALAH: For the first time, presenters from Arab countries outside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will participate in the live media coverage of Khareef Dhofar Season. The initiative is part of a wider effort by the Ministry of Information to broaden regional engagement and strengthen the cultural identity of the monsoon season. Dr Mohammed al Sheshai, Director-General, Information Department in Dhofar Governorate, confirmed in an exclusive interview with the Observer that the ministry is fully prepared to deliver a multi-platform media campaign for Khareef Dhofar 2025. The plan includes daily live coverage across television, radio, print and digital platforms. One of the season's flagship programmes is Al Nas Wal Khareef (The People and the Monsoon), which will be broadcast live every afternoon from 2:30 pm to 4 pm. The show will be produced from a mobile studio that travels across Dhofar's natural sites. It will feature presenters from the GCC and, for the first time, presenters from other Arab countries. This expansion reflects the ministry's aim to give the season a wider Arab media profile. Another key programme is Layali Al Khareef (Monsoon Nights), which will air every evening from 9 pm to 10 pm from the cultural venue Awdat Al Madi (Return to the Past). This show will highlight the evening events taking place across the governorate, especially those connected to Dhofar's heritage and tourism appeal. Radio coverage has also been expanded. The programme Atheer Al Khareef will air daily from 5 pm to 7 pm between August 15 and 31. It will be broadcast from the dedicated radio studio at Awdat Al Madi and will focus on cultural and recreational content. In addition, the general radio service will provide continuous festival coverage, while Al Khareef Wal Shabab (The Monsoon and Youth) will be dedicated to youth voices and highlight initiatives by young Omanis and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Dr Al Sheshai also confirmed that the media plan was developed in coordination with other stakeholders. A high-level meeting was recently held between Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information, and Dr Ahmed bin Mohsin al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, to finalise the media strategy and ensure alignment across all platforms. He noted that all event zones have been renamed in Arabic as part of a broader effort to reinforce national identity. This year's coverage will also include real-time updates across newspapers, radio, TV, Oman News Agency and social media platforms. The strategy is designed to deliver a unified media message that reflects the essence of Khareef Dhofar. Khareef Dhofar 2025 is expected to mark a new chapter in how Oman presents its most important tourism season. With wider Arab participation, refreshed media content and a fully integrated communication strategy, the Ministry of Information aims to elevate Dhofar's visibility across the region and reinforce its status as a leading cultural and natural destination.
Observer
4 days ago
- Observer
Al Hinai Coding Initiative powers digital future
MUSCAT: The Al Hinai Coding Initiative, spearheaded by tech educator Mohammed al Hinai, is igniting a passion for programming among children across Oman. With more than 5,000 trainees and an inclusive approach that reaches even the remotest corners of the country, the initiative is fast becoming a national model for creative and impactful tech education. A pioneering developer of educational programmes since 2006, Al Hinai was inspired by the BBC micro:bit initiative launched in 2015, which aimed to introduce coding to over one million children globally. Building on this vision, he crafted an entirely homegrown curriculum tailored to Oman's youth — an approach that emphasises learning through real-world challenges and hands-on application. 'What makes this initiative truly special,' says Al Hinai, 'is that it's built entirely from the ground up. The curriculum, activities and learning paths are all designed to make programming fun, accessible and deeply impactful. Programming becomes a form of expression, not just a technical skill.' What sets the Al Hinai Coding Initiative apart is its custom-designed educational framework, incorporating original programmes, structured learning activities and a progressive methodology that ensures children not only understand coding concepts, but also apply them creatively. These workshops are offered free of charge through Al Hinai's mobile coding lab, a travelling classroom that has reached students from Musandam to Salalah. Feedback from teachers and parents has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the initiative's ability to keep children engaged in meaningful learning and laying a strong foundation for future academic and professional pursuits in science and technology. Al Hinai has also taken on the BBC's advanced 28-station programming challenge, placing him among the few Arab educators globally to tackle this prestigious benchmark. His educational contributions have even earned global recognition — the official BBC micro:bit website featured his original explanation of dice programming, showcasing his credibility and innovative teaching approach to a global audience. 'As we move into the summer,' Al Hinai adds, 'we're expanding our reach with intensive workshops across new regions. Advanced sessions are also planned for returning students to deepen their skills and foster a long-term relationship with technology.' The Al Hinai Coding Initiative is not just teaching children how to code — it's preparing them to lead Oman's digital future.
