Se c’è un paese che non interessa davvero a nessuno in questi mesi quello è l’Oman.

In Oman l’ondata di proteste si concentra principalmente nella città portuale di Sohar, l’antica capitale.

Potrei raccontarvi di Sindbad il marinaio, adesso.

Delle Mille e una notte e dell’Oceano Indiano, cioè dell’immaginario che Sohar porta in eredità e che arriva fino a noi.

O anche di Muhammad ben Mahbub e della codificazione del diritto commerciale nell’Oman ibadita del IX secolo.

Del declino di Sohar e dell’ascesa degli Shirazi.

Non lo farò, ovviamente.

Voglio solo informarvi del fatto che Sohar è al centro di una importante operazione economica e commerciale, nata nel 2002, essendo che si trova in un punto davvero strategico, all’imboccatura dello Stretto di Hormuz.

Lo sviluppo del hub di Sohar è in joint venture col porto di Rotterdam.

Si collega alla Cina, come in antico, e il tutto ha a che vedere con il nuovo centro del mondo, che è collogato da qualche parte nell’Oceano Indiano.

Le proteste in Oman iniziano il 17 gennaio scorso, cioè molto presto.

In febbraio a Sohar prendono una piega anti-porto: è chiaro che dietro c’è anche un motivo economico.

C’è qualcuno che fa affari sulla testa degli abitanti di Sohar.

On 26 February, nearly 500 protesters gathered around a shopping mall in the industrial city of Sohar, 230 kilometres from the capital Muscat.[21] The protesters stopped traffic and shoppers around the mall premises. The shops in the area including the mall remained closed on 27 February as well.[22]

On 27 February, protesters returned in Sohar for a second day, hurling stones at security forces who had cordoned them off.[23] Reuters reported that the Royal Oman Police eventually used tear gas to contain and disperse the protesters.[23] There are witness reports of two protesters being killed as police fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds.[24][25][26]

On 28 February, protesters looted and burned a hypermarket in Sohar.[27] The demonstrators also blocked the entrance to Sohar port, where 160,000 barrels of oil derived products are exported.[28] On 1 March protests continued for a fourth day as crowds in Sohar congregated at the Globe Roundabout. Eventually, the Omani Army in tanks peacefully dispersed protesters blocking the Sohar port and cleared them from the main coastal highway linking Muscat to Sohar.[29][30][31] The troops later pulled back though five armoured vehicles continued to watch the square.[32] The Globe Roundabout has been the site of up to 2,000 demonstrators over the past three days.[11] About 50 protesters held a sit-in as well outside the Consultative Assembly of Oman to demand political reform and an end to corruption.[33][34] The group later grew to over 400 people.[35] Protesters also continued to demand the consultative assembly be turned into a “real parliament.” The protests were reported to be “peaceful, well-organised and very disciplined.” Tents had been set up with separate accommodations for men and women. Placards with protest slogans had also been translated into English, French and German for the international media.[36] (fonte)

Il 27 febbraio l’ufficio stampa del porto emanava questo comunicato:

Demonstrations started yesterday in Sohar, Oman and caused considerable disruption but were mainly peaceful. Early this morning the town was clear and traffic running smoothly.
Later in the morning much larger crowds gathered at the Globe Roundabout and at the Safeer Roundabout causing a repeat of yesterday’s disruption. Reports we have received indicate that the demonstrations have been larger and more troublesome than yesterday. The Port of Sohar located 30 minutes by road from the city centre of Sohar is open and faces no difficulties at the moment. All marine and truck traffic in and out of the port is running as normal. Port of Sohar is in liaison with ROP and Civil Defence to prepare if any difficulties should occur. All tenants of the port are regularly updated on the progress. For the time being there is no disruption in the area and everything is working normally (fonte).

Più tardi compariva questo proclama:

Business as usual in the Port of Sohar!

The Port of Sohar is up and running and business is as usual. Both the Marine traffic and traffic by road in and out of the port is flowing.

For any inquiries, please send an e-mail to [email protected]

Executive Management SIPC (fonte)

La copertura dei fatti di Sohar e dell’Oman in genere è quasi inesistente.

Quello che trovo lo metto qui.

Last but not least: la finanza islamica entra in Oman ufficialmente.

Lorenzo DeclichIn fiammeIslamercato2011.01.17,oman,poteste,rivolta,sohar
Se c'è un paese che non interessa davvero a nessuno in questi mesi quello è l'Oman. In Oman l'ondata di proteste si concentra principalmente nella città portuale di Sohar, l'antica capitale. Potrei raccontarvi di Sindbad il marinaio, adesso. Delle Mille e una notte e dell'Oceano Indiano, cioè dell'immaginario che Sohar porta in...