Oman- Life of a carnival talker

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat- Fifty year old Abu al Khairat has an interesting job at the Muscat Festival in Amerat Park. Dressed in a traditional Omani attire Khairat can be seen carrying pictures of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and Oman's national flag and announcing important information.

With the signature pink mic and grey loudspeaker, Khairat is easily identifiable even in a huge crowd and he makes sure that his point is heard. Be it a missing child or enquiries regarding prayer rooms or police booths, Khairat has the answer to everything.

Khairat starts work at 4pm. With a small loudspeaker he goes around the entire park announcing the various events of the festival so that visitors know where to go.
In addition, he also speaks of safety issues, urging parents to take care of children, and announces the various spots where police booths, washrooms, blood camps and prayer rooms are located at the venue.

'I am from Sur and have been doing this job for the last ten years at the festival. It is an exciting job but a tedious one as I have to be updated about every place, phone numbers and timing of each show. I cannot afford to miss anything.'

But to err is human, and Khairat admits it. 'At times I forget because I do not carry a notebook as I prefer memorising everything. But I immediately correct myself, if I make a mistake.'

Khairat also helps international artistes move from one place to the other when they get lost. 'Sometimes they are slow and struggle to catch up with me, but I ensure that there is no delay and guide them around the venue.'

Khairat said though he is not too loud, his loudspeaker ensures his voice is not drowned out.

'But I have to even scream through the loudspeaker in emergency situations. The main challenge is announcing during fireworks. Sometimes the cacophony makes my job difficult,' he added.

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