by Salim, age 8 from Muscat, Oman, asks Santa about Christmas goose, the Strait of Hormuz, and Oman’s Christian expatriate community.
Dear Santa, my name is Salim, and I am eight years old. I live in Muscat, Oman, where my waldi says our old fort watches over the harbor, built centuries and centuries ago.
Dear Salim, an old fort watching over the harbor makes for one of the most dignified welcomes on my entire route, your waldi picked a truly historic hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Do you like Christmas goose? My cousin in England says her family has one every year instead of turkey.
I love a good Christmas goose, Salim, rich and golden, it was actually the traditional Christmas dinner in many places long before turkey became popular. Your cousin’s family is keeping quite an old tradition alive.
My teacher says Oman sits right near a very important narrow strait where lots of ships pass through. Is that true?
It is true, Salim, the Strait of Hormuz sits right near Oman, one of the busiest and most important shipping passages in the entire world. I always enjoy watching those ships glide through on my way past.
My waldi says most people in Oman are Muslim, but a small community of Christians who live and work here celebrate Christmas quietly. Is that true?
It is true, Salim, Oman is home to a small community of Christian residents, many working there from other countries, who keep their own quiet Christmas traditions alive. Wherever I find even one family celebrating, I am always glad to bring a little extra warmth to their night.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Salim Al-Balushi
Muscat, Oman
P.S. Can you bring my cousin’s family an extra big goose this year?
Consider it arranged, Salim, an old tradition deserves a proper portion.
