Retailers rake in profits over Oman national day celebrations

Muscat: With National Day celebrations continuing nationwide until the end of November, many Omanis and expatriates have been sending their cars to shops that offer customised decorations.

In a country where police strictly enforces regulations that forbid decorating cars, rules were relaxed to allow citizens to celebrate. The Royal Oman Police issued a list of conditions under which such decorations were allowed, saying they would only be accepted until the end of November.

Throughout the national day period, the capital’s streets faced heavy congestion due to celebratory traffic. Citizens and expatriates took to the streets, particularly the main thoroughfare Sultan Qaboos Street, where some leaving their cars mid-road to dance on the highway.

The celebrations this year were particularly festive as they came following a television appearance by Sultan Qaboos from Germany, where he is being treated for illness since July. In the address, the Sultan reassured citizens about his health and expressed regret for not being able to attend the celebrations for the first time since he took the throne in 1970.

The celebrations have presented an opportunity for shop owners dealing in car decorations to rake in enormous profits, earning thousands of rials during the festive period.

Rafeeq Alam, shop owner in Khoudh area of Muscat, told Gulf News that he has been restocking on flags, national pictures, paints and other decorations on a weekly basis.

Alam, who has worked at the shop for the past seven years, exclaimed: “This is the first year that I have ever seen such a huge demand for decorations”.

Many shop owners have made a lot of money since the beginning of November. Majdi Mohammad, Lebanese shop owner, said that he made around 3,000 riyals in profit from the sale of decorations and car stickers.

“His Majesty’s [Sultan Qaboos] pictures are the most in demand as well as the country’s flag,” Mohammad says.

Rajesh Kumar, a retailer, told Gulf News that most of his clientele are females, both Omanis and expatriates. “It’s the first time in the past six years, I have seen such a rush from women to decorate and paint their vehicles with the national colours. It’s really fantastic,” says Rajesh.

Many nationals have prepared for the National Day since early November to express their love and patriotism to the country and the sultan. Ahmad Al Mughairi, 32, spray-painted his car with the Omani national emblem and a picture of the sultan.

“Oman gives us a lot and we have to at least show our sincere love for the Sultan and Oman”.

A full paint job costs 23 Omani riyals per car while stickers are much cheaper, according to the retailers.

Expatriates, too, are paying tribute to Oman.

Mohammad Hamdi, Egyptian resident, as many other expatriates, decorated his car with stickers to show his love and gratitude. “I decorated my car as well as my wife’s car to express our sincere feelings to Oman and to Qaboos,” explained Mohammad. Meanwhile, government and private buildings, houses, shops and streets are all decked out with the Oman flag colours to commemorate the National Day.

— Saif Said is a freelance journalist based in Muscat