A time for thanksgiving
Ramadan month sees companies supporting worthy causes

It was the month of Ramadan and a time for giving. Corporate Oman gave a good account of its social conscience, organising a number of charitable events and philanthropic activities. Nawras Telecom's 'Goodwill Journey 2' was an opportunity to raise awareness about charities and the causes that they espoused.

A group of Nawras employees drove around the country visiting a number of charitable organisations distributing gifts and goodies to the less fortunate. The journey proved to be a source of joy and solace for the needy. The second annual charity fair by National Bank of Oman (NBO) gave organisations like Oman Charitable Organisation, Oman Association for the Disabled, Association for Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs (AEI), Association for Welfare of Handicapped Children, Al Noor Association for the Blind and Dar al Atta Charitable Organisation a chance to sell merchandise donated by their staff and other companies to raise money. A special NBO account gave the general public a chance to donate to charities.

The Omani Women's Association's charity trade fair at Shatti al Qurm had participants from countries in the GCC, the Far East, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. Part of the money collected at the fair was donated to the National Association of Cancer Awareness, Al Noor Association for the Blind and the Omani Association for the Disabled. Hasan al Moosa, marketing and fund-raising manager, AEI, collected a cheque worth RO1000.6 from Martin Cramer, general manager, Sheraton Oman. The money was raised at a charity bolothon held at the hotel on August 24. Three cheers to corporate Oman for the good work done.

Muscat celebrates
A 2-1 victory against Emirates saw the streets erupt in celebrations

If you want to talk about sporting rivalries within the Middle East, few football matches will spark as much interest as a good old bash between the Emirates and Oman. For their make-or-break career potential, encounters like these are dreaded dates in the calendar of any esteemed national coach. Srecko Juriric, Oman's previous leader, is an example of this after he was forced to join the job queue after the opening leg was lost 1-0 in Dubai.

The two new bosses – Milan Macala and Bruno Metsu – taking their separate legions into war were not exempt from bouts of insomnia in the build up to this thriller. After 90 glorious minutes of match and an Oman win, sleep was the last thing on Muscat's mind as celebrations erupted across the streets. A 2-1 victory for the sultanate signalled definite qualification to the 2007 Asian Cup Finals in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Perhaps the only damp note on an otherwise night of pure hysteria was news that the UAE, despite being given a thorough standing down from Oman's outfit, had also qualified. That forgotten, the night will be fondly recalled for a 40 yard strike from talisman Hassan Mudhaffer. Unleashed on 24 minutes from just inside the oppositions half, this goal typified Oman's success so sweetly.

As did the Cruyff-esque turns deployed by Fawzi Basheer, who regularly outfoxed his markers in the midfield. Oman's lead was doubled four minutes later when the other winger Ismail al Ajimi converted a deft cross into the net from tight range on the six-yard line. Victory was by then certain even though the Emirates scrambled a consolation just after half time.

Traffic was at a standstill and celebrations roared on into the early hours in a display of unity even the World Cup lifting Italians would have been envious of. Overzealous drivers lost their no claims bonus to mishaps of misadventure, but amid the excitement all were able to step out of their cars with shrug as if to say 'Who cares, Oman has won.'