MUSCAT -- Life has returned to normalcy in the industrial hub of the country, Sohar, as shops were open and offices functioned as usual after days of standoff caused by the violent demonstrations in the city.

A number of shops which were partially damaged were seen getting repaired while some have already became functional.

Civic employees were busy cleaning up the streets that bore the brunt of a group of people.

Banks, offices, supermarkets, petrol pumps, restaurants, and other small shops opened yesterday and people were moving ahead with the present day, leaving behind the horrid days and nights of violent demonstrations.

Movement of traffic was eased to and fro Sohar and Buraimi as the barricades erected in the middle of the roads were almost removed. A new air of rejuvenated enthusiasm was felt when the Observer team spoke to the citizens and residents of Sohar.

Ibrahim al Murad, Director, Advertising and Marketing, Al Omaneya, said he couldn't sleep properly all these nights and he heaved a deep sigh once the problems have stopped. "Thank God, the days of fear are gone and brighter days are in. Everything is coming back to normal. Never ever in my life have I come across with such incidents in Oman. Now that everything is over, let's not repeat the same barbaric acts again, at least for the future generations"

Shijin Ashraf, Key Account Executive at the Al Seer Oman, based in Sohar, confirmed to the Observer that days of fear are gone and companies have started functioning smoothly after four days of indefiniteness. "We were all gripped by a sense of fear as venturing outside was rather dangerous.

Rumours were worse than the actual facts. The hearsay, the SMS's that carried false news were quite alarming and were travelling like wildfire. I'm sure these false messages might have caused much panic among people. But now things are going in the right direction and we are all happy about it".

Moideen hailing from the Kerala city of Nadapuram, who runs a coffee shop called 'Abdurahiman bin Hasabi Murad' in the industrial area of Sohar, says he has never expected such a situation in his decades-long life in Oman. "I've never expected something like this in Oman. Whatever happened is happened. Let's not remember that closed chapter. Let them (demonstrators) have the ability to distinguish and not repeat the same again. We all can pray for that".

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism has issued a 'Business as Usual' press release to the travel and tourism trade magazines advising that Oman's tourism properties, services and travel within Oman were unaffected.

In a message sent by Salem al Maamari, Director-General of Tourism Promotion, it informed that the ministry's view is to press ahead with key campaigns, media placements and trade visits in all markets.

"We see this as the best way to safeguard industry interests and quicken the pace of recovery. In this regard, a summer campaign is being finalised for all markets, plus a UK consumer campaign with Lastrninute.Com to target the three week holiday period spanning Easter, the Royal Wedding and Bank Holiday", Al Maamari said.

The Emke Group, to which the Lulu Center chain belongs to, informed the Observer that they too will press ahead with their expansion plans as their trust in the country and in the ruler remains unaffected.

"Nothing can deter my trust in the ruler and in the country and we will not go back from our earlier plans of expansion and further investments in the country. The Sohar branch will soon be functional after necessary renovation works", M A Yousuffali, Managing Director of the Lulu Group, said.

The nearly 500 employees of the burnt Lulu Centre, more than half of whom are Omani youngsters, will be paid their salaries for the next few months until it becomes operational, according to highly placed sources related to the Emke Group.

© Oman Daily Observer 2011

Source: http://www.allvoices.com/s/event-8356707/aHR0cDovL3d3dy56YXd5YS5jb20vc3RvcnkuY2ZtL3NpZFpBV1lBMjAxMTAzMDMwNTE2MTEvSXQncy1idXNpbmVzcy1hcy11c3VhbC1pbi1Tb2hhcg==