Khareef season from today
SALALAH: The Khareef Season in Dhofar, which runs from June 21 to September 21, will start on Wednesday. During this season, Salalah attracts people from the Sultanate and the Gulf region. Khareef begins when the monsoon clouds from Indian bring light to medium rains to Dhofar covering the Wilayat of Dhalkout in the West till the Wilayat of Mirbat in the East. During this period the region is clothed in lush greenery and its hills surrounded by white fog.
Shaikh Salim bin Ofait al Shanfari, Head of Dhofar Municipality and Head of the Organising Committee of Salalah Tourism Festival, said all preparations have been completed to launch Salalah Tourism Festival, which will run from June 30 to August 31 under the theme “Oman Prosperity and Development”.
He said that this year’s theme reflects the atmosphere of brotherhood, love and prosperity being enjoyed by the Sultanate. Events of the festival will emphasise that the Sultanate is a country of love and stability.
He pointed out that the festival’s new activities this year is the intro- duction of the traditional arts and handicrafts festival, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education with the participation of 35 countries.
He said this year there will be a change in the nature of events.
Shaikh al Shanfari added that the festival includes a range of sports events, cultural, artistic and religious competitions, as well as a competition for memorisation of the Holy Quran.
He pointed out that a group of lecturers from inside and outside the Sultanate have been invited, in addition to various exhibitions, local and GCC performances, as well as some activities in the wilayats of Taqah, Mirbat and at the Municipality Friends camp in Ateen.
About efforts of Dhofar Municipality to enhance the road network in a bid to keep pace with traffic flow, Al Shanfari explained that the municipality is taking steps to resolve traffic congestion in some roundabouts in Salalah.
He said the municipality has undertaken construction of bridges, tunnels and the dual-carriageways as well as renovation of some streets in Salalah to ensure smooth traffic flow.