News

“Oman, Identity and Civilization” Event at Nakhal Fort Attracts School Students Nakhal, 9 Feb 2026 (ONA) --- The Directorate of Endowments and Religious Affairs in South Al Batinah, represented by the Department of Islamic Awareness and Cultural Exchange organized an event titled “Oman, Identity and Civilization” at Nakhal Fort. This event is part of the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen national identity and activate community partnerships in spreading cultural and religious knowledge, aligning with Oman’s future vision of building a generation aware of its roots, ...

Fourth Talent Forum Held in South Al Batinah A’Rustaq, 9 Feb 2026 (ONA) --- The General Directorate of Education in the South Al Batinah Governorate organized the Fourth Talent Forum for female students today, with the participation of (17) schools from girls' schools across the governorate's wilayats. The forum featured a collection of student talents and distinguished creative models in various fields. The forum aimed to nurture outstanding student talents and showcase their achievements, contributing to boosting self-confidence and developing students' creative abilities. ...

11 Investment Agreements Inked to Enhance Food Security in South Al Batinah A’Rustaq, 9 Feb 2026 (ONA) --- The Directorate General of Housing and Urban Planning in the South Al Batinah Governorate, in cooperation with the Directorate General of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in the governorate, signed today a number of agreements with investors to implement 11 investment projects in the field of food security in South Al Batinah Governorate. The agreements, with a total investment value exceeding RO 750,000 and covering a combined area of over 120 acres, come ...

South Al Batinah Governorate Provides Rural Women with Equipment to Enhance Converting IndustriesAl Rustaq, 8 Feb 2026 (ONA) --- The Directorate General of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in South Al Batinah Governorate recently implemented a project to provide rural working women with advanced equipment to raise their output from converting industries. The project benefited 28 women from the wilayats of the governorate. The project aims to empower rural women economically, to improve their living standards (by introducing modern technologies into production ...

Camel Beauty Show Festival Begins in Al Musanaa Al Musanaa, 8 Feb 2026 (ONA) --- The competitions of the 2026 Camel Beauty Show Festival today began in the Wilayat of Al Musanaa, Governorate of South Al Batina. The 5-day event, organized by Oman Camel Racing Federation, sees broad participation from various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, with the Muzayina (camel beauty show contest) being held according to age categories. --- Ends/AH ...

Wakan Village in Nakhal Receives Over 39K Visitors During 2025 Nakhal, 4 Feb 2026 (ONA) --- The number of visitors to Wakan Village in the Wilayat of Nakhal, South Al Batinah Governorate reached 39,976 last year, 2025, compared to 36,759 in 2024. Visitors came from various nationalities, both from within and outside the Sultanate of Oman. This increase is attributed to the village's touristic standing, which offers a variety of experiences such as walking on the agricultural path and ancient mountain trails that have become a destination for adventurers from around the ...

Restoration of Castles, Towers Underway in South Al Batinah Governorate Nakhal, 3 Feb 2026 (ONA) --- The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is pressing ahead with the restoration of castles and towers in South Al Batinah Governorate. The step aims to maintain the historical value of the heritage landmarks in the wilayats of the governorate and convert them into tourism attractions. Dr. Al Mutassim Nasser Al Hilali, Director of the Heritage and Tourism Department in South Al Batinah, told the Oman News Agency (ONA) that restoration and maintenance projects are now ...

About 350 to Contest Final Rounds of Holy Quran Memorization Competition in South Al BatinahAl Rustaq, 1 Feb 2026 (ONA) --- As many as 350 male and female students from government and private schools in South Al Batinah Governorate will contest the final rounds of the Holy Quran memorization competition. The final round of the contest will run until 8 February 2026.The competition seeks to raise public awareness about the importance of the Holy Quran and consolidate the Islamic identity, said Badr Salim Al Bakari, Supervisor of the Competition, which is organized by the Ministry of ...

Oman Equestrian Federation Organizes 14th Horse Racing in Barka Barka, 29 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Oman Equestrian Federation today held the 14th horse racing of the 2025-2026 season at Al Rahba Racecourse in the Wilayat of Barka, South Al Batinah Governorate. The event comprised eight races and saw competition among a selection of Arabian and thoroughbred horses. The top winners are listed below (name of horse, followed by owner): The first race was won by "Nawadir Al Faisal", owned by Abdullah Saif Al Araimi; the 2nd race was won by "Great Alaska", owned by Naji Khamis Al ...

Wilayat of Barka Hosts Closing of Al Ardha Camel Racing Event Barkaa, 29 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Activities of a 5-day Al Ardha Camel Racing event concluded at Al Fuleij square in the Wilayat of Barka today. Organized by Oman Camel Racing Federation, the event formed part of the annual programme of local camel races for the sports season 2025-2026. The event drew a large segment of camel owners from various wilayats of the Sultanate of Oman. The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of Basil Ahmed Al Rawas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and ...

South Al Batinah Municipal Council Reviews Service, Development Projects Nakhal, 27 Jan 2026 (ONA) ---- The Municipal Council of South Al Batinah Governorate reviewed a range of topics related to service and developmental sectors across the governorate’s wilayats during its periodic meeting held today. The session was chaired by Eng. Masoud Said Al Hashimi, Governor of South Al Batinah. During the meeting, the council examined statistics and performance indicators for services provided by the Directorate General of Social Development in South Al Batinah for the year 2025. ...

Sanad Service Centres in South Al Batinah Enhance Business Environment, Facilitate Government Procedures Al Rustaq, 14 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Sanad Service Centres in South Al Batinah Governorate constitute one of the main pillars of the system of economic and service activities, thus lending optimum support to the growing commercial and investment drive in the governorate. Sanad Service Centres contribute to facilitating government procedures,enhancing the business environment and enabling entrepreneurs and citizens to complete their transactions in an efficient and rapid ...

South Al Batinah Organizes Operetta to Mark HM the Sultan’s Accession Day A’Rustaq, 11 Jan 2026 (ONA) ---- The Directorate General of Education in South Al Batinah Governorate celebrated today the anniversary of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s Accession Day. The celebration, held at the A’Rustaq Sports Complex, featured a student festival titled "Covenant and Belonging." The event was held under the auspices of Eng. Masoud Said Al Hashmi, Governor of South Al Batinah. ---Ends/AG ...

Initiative Provides 3,319 Medical Devices to Over 2,220 Beneficiaries in South Al Batinah A’Rustaq, 4 Jan 2025 (ONA) --- The "Sahhil Hayatahum" (Ease Their Lives) initiative, implemented by the Ihsan Association branch in South Al Batinah Governorate, has continued its humanitarian mission of supporting the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Between 2015 and 2025, the initiative focused on providing and distributing prosthetic and assistive medical devices to enhance the quality of life for its beneficiaries. Statistical data shows that the initiative has reached a ...

771 Educators in South Al Batinah Graduate from Specialized Institute for Professional Training of Teachers A’Rustaq, 30 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Directorate General of Education in South Al Batinah Governorate celebrated today the graduation of the seventh cohort from the strategic programs of the Specialized Institute for Professional Training of Teachers, comprising 771 male and female graduates. The celebration follows the trainees' completion of training programs for the School Leadership Strategy, Supervision Experts, Senior Teachers, Subject Matter Experts, and New ...

Details of Sand Sports Games in South Al Batinah Unveiled A’Rustaq, 30 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- Details of the Sand Sports Games within the activities of “Experience South Al Batinah” in its third edition for the year 2026 were unveiled today. The event will be held during January in the Al Abyadh sands “Khabbat Al Qa’adan” in the Wilayat of Nakhal This came during a press conference held at the South Al Batinah Governor's office, attended by Eng. Masoud Said Al Hashmi, Governor of South Al Batinah, and a number of officials representing the relevant entities. The ...

Strategic Visions Aim to Enhance Academic Knowledge with Industrial Applications Al Musannah, 28 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- Higher education institutions in the Sultanate of Oman have successfully developed an integrated strategic vision aimed at bridging the gap between academic theory and industrial practice. This vision is being realized through several practical tracks, including linking education directly to industry, solving real-world challenges, and creating integrated training programs that develop specialized skills tailored to immediate industrial needs. Graduation projects ...

Nine Passionate Rounds Mark Conclusion of 2025 Camel Racing Competition in Barka Barka, 25 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- Al Fuleij racecourse in the Wilayat of Barka, South Al Batinah Governorate, today saw the conclusion of the 2025 Camel Racing Competitions. The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of Sheikh Said Saud Al Ghufaili, Chairman of Oman Camel Racing Association. Nine races were held in the final event, which was organised by the Royal Court Affairs, represented by the Royal Camel Corps. Out of the final nine races, 4 races were dedicated to both male ...

South Al Batinah Municipal Council Holds Meeting A’Rustaq, 24 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Municipal Council of South Al Batinah Governorate reviewed several service and development topics related to the growth of the governorate’s wilayats during its tenth meeting of 2025. The meeting, chaired by Eng. Masoud Said Al Hashimi, Governor of South Al Batinah and Chairman of the Council, included the approval of the previous meeting’s minutes and discussions on various issues concerning the education sector. During the session, the Department of Heritage and Tourism delivered a ...

South Al Batinah Municipality Organizes Health Forum to Enhance Governance, Food Safety Barka, 23 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- South Al Batinah Municipality today started a two-day ‘municipal health forum’ in the Wilayat of Barka, as part of the Municipality's efforts to enhance institutional integration in food safety and develop the overall municipal work system. The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Eng. Masoud bin Said Al Hashmi, Governor of South Al Batinah. The forum deals with key challenges and opportunities in the municipal sector and review efforts made ...

Symposium Held in South Al Batinah Focuses on Investment in EducationA’Rustaq, 21 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Directorate General of Education in South Al Batinah Governorate today organized a symposium titled “Investing in a Safe Educational Environment”. The symposium was held under the auspices of Dr. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education. The symposium aimed to meet a number of objectives: Raise public awareness the importance of early childhood education and its role in shaping personality and developing cognitive skills ...

South Al Batinah Emergency Management Panel Reviews Readiness to Address Incidents A’Rustaq, 16 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The sub-committee tasked with emergency management in the South Al Batinah Governorate today reviewed the preparedness of its sectors to deal with any incidents. The discussion took place during the committee’s meeting chaired by Brigadier Mohammed Awadh Al Shanfari, Commander of South Al Batinah Governorate’s Police, Chairman of the Governorate's Emergency Sub-Committee. The meeting was attended by representatives of supporting committees from other ...

A’Rustaq Hospital Accredited as Mother and Baby-Friendly Hospital A’Rustaq, 15 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- A’Rustaq Hospital today obtained accreditation as a Mother and Baby-Friendly Hospital from the Ministry of Health, making it the third hospital in the Sultanate of Oman to receive "Baby-Friendly Hospital" accreditation and the second to receive "Mother-Friendly Hospital" accreditation. This national achievement adds to the record of excellence in the health sector. The ceremony was held under the patronage of Eng. Masoud Said Al Hashmi, Governor of South Al Batinah, in the ...

Permits for Tourism Projects Post 48.7 percent Rise in South Al Batinah Nakhl, 14 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The number of permits issued for tourism investment projects in the South Al Batinah Governorate between January and October 2025 grew by 48.7 percent to 174, compared to 117 issued during the corresponding period in 2024. According to updated statistics from the Heritage and Tourism Department in South Al Batinah Governorate, the number of eco-lodges in the governorate stood at 48—of which 33 were set up in the Wilayat of Barka, 10 in the Wilayat of Al Musanaa, 2 in the ...

Agreement Inked to Fund, Implement Al Rumais Park Project in Barka Barka, 10 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The South Al Batinah Governorate signed an agreement with four private sector companies to fund and implement the Al Rumais Park project in the Wilayat of Barka. This is part of efforts to enhance partnership between the government and private sectors and to support community initiatives that contribute to improving the quality of life and developing public facilities in the Governorate. The agreement with the private sector companies was signed by Eng. Masoud Said Al Hashmi, ...

“International Day of Persons with Disabilities” Observed in South Al Batinah Governorate Al Rustaq, 4 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Directorate General of Social Development in South Al Batinah Governorate held a ceremony in the Wilayat of Rustaq to mark the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025”. The event was organized in cooperation with the Department of Culture, Sports and Youth in the governorate. The ceremony was attended by more than 120 persons with disabilities who are enrolled at “Al Wafa Centre for the Rehabilitation of Persons with ...

Geography Laboratory for Modern Technologies Inaugurated in A’RustaqA’Rustaq, 30 Nov 2025 (ONA) — The Geography Laboratory for Modern Technologies was inaugurated today in the Al Hazm area of the Wilayat of A’Rustaq.The facility aims to support the educational process by providing a practical environment that enables the application of geographical concepts in a realistic manner.The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Dr. Abdullah Khamis Ambusaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education.The opening of the laboratory marks a significant step towards ...

Around 28K Monthly Visitors to Hajarat Al Sheikh Tourist Walkway in Wadi Al Maawil Wadi Al Maawil, 19 Nov 2025 (ONA) --- The Hajarat Al Sheikh Tourist Walkway in the Wilayat of Wadi Al Maawil, South Al Batinah Governorate, is witnessing increasing popularity, attracting nearly 28,000 visitors monthly, making it one of the most prominent natural and heritage tourist destinations in the Wilayat. The walkway, implemented through a partnership between the Office of the Governor of South Al Batinah and the people of the Wilayat, serves as a recreational space for visitors, combining ...

Internal Road Paving in Full Swing in Wilayats of South Al Batinah Governorate Nakhal, 12 Nov (ONA) --- The wilayats of South Al Batinah Governorate are currently carrying out an active programme of internal road paving. The programme forms part of infrastructure projects being implemented within the Governorate's annual development plans. The projects, undertaken by the Directorate General of South Al Batinah Municipality, include the paving of internal roads in residential neighbourhoods and parking areas of government departments, commercial complexes, health ...

South Al Batinah Governorate Reviews Development Projects Underway in Nakhal Nakhal, 10 Nov (ONA) – The Governorate of South Al Batinah today held a community meeting during which it reviewed the progress being made in service and development projects currently underway in the Wilayat of Nakhal. Held in the presence of South Al Batinah Governor, Eng. Masoud Said Al Hashmi, the meeting was in pursuance of ongoing efforts to upgrade infrastructure, improve the quality of life and enhance tourism and economic activities in the Wilayat. Eng. Ali Hassan Al Mujaini, ...