VOLUNTEERING IN OMAN IS FOR THE GREATER GOOD

Ramadan has always been a time for people to think about others, and with the Holy Month now just around the corner, it represents a time for people to think about contributing their time and efforts by volunteering for a good cause.

For people in Oman, though, volunteering has always been a part and parcel of their lives, irrespective of the time of year, with the rewards of gratitude and selflessness reaping far more than any that can be physically measured.

Mitsugu Saito, the Ambassador of Japan to Oman, has been serving his country in the Sultanate for more than a year now. What sets him aside from many of the other diplomatic officials who have previously lived in Oman, though, is how he spends his mornings, voluntarily picking up refuse left behind by others on Shatti Beach on his morning walk.

“The beach may have a lot of litter in the mornings, but I collect it simply because it is the right thing to do,” he told Times of Oman. “One thing that is unique in Japan is that, when we are students, we have to clean the school after our lessons every day. Students then get accustomed to keeping public places clean.

“We have to learn to clean everything, from the classrooms and the corridors to even the gym, the kitchen and the toilets,” he ex- STORY GAUTAM VISWANATHAN plained. “Even at home, my parents used to tell me not to throw garbage on the street, but to only use the dustbins.”

Saito’s altruistic example has, coincidentally, been followed by others in Oman, as well. “I believe all individuals should volunteer for not just their own sake, but for the wellbeing of others, as well,” said Arifa Khurram. “This is something people must not ignore or take lightly, because your own initiative counts towards influencing others to do the same and keep the environment clean and healthy.”

Ali Butt, another resident, was also overwhelmingly positive about his experiences with volunteering in the Sultanate. “You must absolutely volunteer,” he exclaimed. “Just go for it. You will love every second of it and you will leave with a new perspective on life. You will just fall in love with the work you are doing and the culture of giving.”

The culture of volunteering in Oman, though, is not one that is manufactured, but one that has grown naturally within the na- tion. Although he now resides in Singapore, former Oman resident Arvind Raghavan was inculcated with the lessons of volunteering in school, and that never left him. Earlier this year, he donated 10% of his annual income – about OMR2,700 – to charities, such as Oxfam and Against Malaria Foundation, which combat hunger and disease.

“My alma mater Indian School Muscat was, among other things, also a beacon of social responsibility, with its efforts at promoting volunteerism, awareness programmes and charity drives,” he explained. “Most importantly, while at school, I was taught to never rest on one’s laurels or leave room for arrogance, be- cause there is much work in the world yet to be done.

“I have always been inspired by the culture of philanthropy and zakat, that are core of Omani traditions and Islam, and volunteering was a no-brainer, although realising I had to make a difference did take some time,” Arvind said.

“Until recently, I had no idea that so much good can come from just my meagre contributions alone. I can live just as comfortably on 90 per cent of my income, but for someone else, it means not dying. What held me back earlier was the feeling that my help was a drop in the ocean and can’t make a significant difference.”