Culture
In recent years, driven largely by social media, people have been making the trip from Muscat and across the Gulf specifically for it – the spectacular terraced farms in full bloom, and the communities on the mountain welcoming the interest, carefully, on their own terms. From Birkat Al Mouz, we began the drive up the windy mountain road – watching the temperature gauge on the car’s dashboard slowly going down, one degree at a time.
As we witness the horror of genocide unfolding in Gaza, it becomes ever more urgent to honour and preserve Palestinian cultural memory, heritage and creativity – all of which are under threat.
At the heart of this movement is Ghudu, a community tourism project founded by two young Omani women, who have brought together the best of Dhofar’s past and present. By offering authentic, immersive tourism experiences, Ghudu provides a platform for visitors to engage with Dhofar’s history and culture, all while supporting sustainable development and empowering local communities.
From fashion runways to poetry stages, Yemeni creatives in the diaspora are using art as a tool for cultural preservation, political expression, and activism
To mark the Omani celebration of ‘Qaranqasho’, Nadeen Al-Towaiya, Co-Founder of Omani Archive joins Pink Jinn to share the story of Qaranqasho and its significance in Oman.
Now a treasured annual fixture in Muscat, the Royal Opera House Muscat has been hosting Sufi and Inshaad concerts to celebrate the Holy Month of Ramadan for several years, bringing together regional and local artists for a spiritual journey through the medium of sound.
Few genres evoke the depth of spiritual connection and emotional resonance quite like Sufi and Inshaad music. These musical forms serve as profound vehicles for spiritual elevation and communal expression.
After many dark years filled with a succession of conflicts and occupations, the Bytna Foundation for Heritage and Culture is a small renaissance of the heart of Mosul and Iraq. Mosul means “the linking point” in Arabic, and thanks to Bytna’s work, the city can once again live up to its name. Bytna is much more than just a foundation; as well as their museum, Bytna is home to a cafe, a craft shop, a book collection, an art gallery, and more.
To mark Pride Month, we’re sharing a list of resources for anyone who’d like to learn more about LGBTQIA+ issues across the Middle East and North Africa, and in diaspora communities around the world, updated for 2023 with some brilliant new additions.
Our Founder, Laura Cretney, shares the story of Pink Jinn, from a tiny British island to the deserts of Oman.