Saturday 21 / June / 2025
Amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, as fire was exchanged and tensions soared, hundreds of Arab and foreign nationals found themselves trapped in the heart of the crisis. Questions overwhelmed them, yet answers were nowhere in sight. Borders were sealed, flights grounded, and the sky loomed heavy with the fears of war. In such a moment, there was only one sound louder than the noise of uncertainty — the constant ringing of a phone.
But this was no ordinary phone call. It carried with it a code that became a lifeline for those seeking safety: 00968.
It was Oman’s international line — not just a string of numbers, but a gateway to hope, a humanitarian window that opened when most others had shut.
With its trademark calm and deeply rooted wisdom, the Sultanate of Oman moved into action — not driven by politics or profit, but by a profound sense of human duty.
Relevant authorities worked tirelessly. Embassies and consulates coordinated. Response teams were mobilized around the clock. The result: dozens of stranded individuals were brought to safety in Muscat, and from there, onward to their home countries.
Oman did not ask about nationalities, affiliations, or beliefs. It saw only people in need — and moved.
At a time when the sounds of missiles filled the air, a quieter but more powerful voice rose above them — the voice of compassion, from a land long known for peace.
Once again, Oman proved to the world that it is not only a haven of stability, but a beacon of human conscience.
And so the line kept ringing — not to request help, but to offer it.
* The writer is a media personality and a visiting lecturer at the University of Cambridge
