Thursday 21 / August / 2025
Muscat: A group of Oman-based residents and GCC citizens will be celebrating Renaissance Day in Pakistan, where they will be spreading the Sultanate’s message of open-mindedness, as part of a campaign to help promote tourism between the Arab World and their South Asian neighbour.
Titled “Pakistan Awaits”, the initiative was founded by Huzaifa Ubaid Khan, a Pakistani expat living in Oman, as an initiative to help combat negative stereotypes and misconceptions associated with his country. Joining him will be social media influencers Fahd Al Abri (cavemanagram), Hiyam Al Jabri (hiyamoman), and Dana Al Qadhi.
Speaking to the Times of Oman, Khan said, “Pakistan has always held a very special place in my heart. I have always wanted my Omani family and friends to experience it the way I do: a Pakistan that is emerging, a Pakistan that is hospitable and a Pakistan that is beautiful. With this exact thought, Pakistan Awaits was born.”
“I aim to bring both the communities and cultures together and I pray this will be a continuous process of exchange and dialogue. Also, I am thankful for the support of the Embassy of Pakistan in Muscat and our partners on this great journey,” he added.
As part of the initiative, the group will start its journey in Islamabad, before continuing to Gilgit-Baltistan, Attabad Lake, and the Hunza Valley, where they will celebrate Renaissance Day by sharing traditional halwa, dishdasha, and other Omani delicacies with locals.
Al Abri, renowned for doing handstands next to monuments and cities around the world, said, “I’m a traveller on a mission to do handstands in front of the seven world wonders to promote peace through wellbeing, and I believe Pakistan is more than worthy of being the next stop in my journey. I cannot wait to do handstands in Islamabad and the Karakoram highway, also known as the eighth wonder of the world!”
Al Jabri added, “I am a traveller by nature, it’s my hobby and I can say my dream is to travel the world. Pakistan was always on my list because of the people I know there and the culture.”
Pakistan Awaits is a non-profit endeavour, initiated by young individuals from Pakistan and Oman to showcase the beauty and grandeur of Pakistan to the Arab world, especially Oman and the GCC, through social media. The campaign is supported by the Embassy of the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan and in partnership with AnZ Engineering, Starslight LLC and Muscat Livestock.
“I am also excited about the mission of this initiative, which is mainly to change people’s perspective about Pakistan. I believe that change starts from within.” Bahraini Al Qadhi added, “I have always been keen to discover new places all over the world and meet different people, many of my Pakistani friends got me excited about seeing the beautiful nature of Pakistan. This opportunity came at the right moment, so now I’m not just excited about seeing it, but I’m more excited about showing the people in the Arab world the true nature of Pakistan.”
