I do believe everyone knows about the Early On program that is being Hosted in Oman radio by Zawan Al said. It has been back on air since Saturday with a different style than before. It starts very early in the morning from 6:30am to 9:00am.. i wonder if many actually egt to listen to it...!

I want to know.. How many of you heard this program!? Do you like it or not. What do you think fo the Music taste .. she tends to play different ones from different country... "which i like personally" share with us your opinion about this particulre program .. a I do remmeber we saw some comments on the New radio Fm100 and not many seem to have liked the collections in there!

Originally posted by Neena
I do believe everyone knows about the Early On program that is being Hosted in Oman radio by Zawan Al said. [/COLOR]

you believe wrong. i've never heard of it but again i never listen to the radio.

Originally posted by Big MO
you believe wrong. i've never heard of it but again i never listen to the radio.

There you go - you have answerd your self mate - you don;t listen to the radio in the first place to know about it . But HEY now you do... try and listen to it... plus ..,ur abroad so u won;t egt the chance anyway :D

Radio and TV in Oman are sooooooooooo crap, i just don't bother.
the worst three TV channels on arabsat are 1. sudan 2. yemen 3.oman

would i rather listen to nice new R&B album or zaina, zawana or whatever her name is blabbering about.........:confused: (what's the program about btw:confused: :lost: )

I'd rather listen farting sounds

Originally posted by qais
I'd rather listen farting sounds

didn't know you liked Omani music that much.

Oooh people please give credit to the effort made. I have been hearing it whenever I drive to work.

I must say Zawan is fabulous and know what to do with mic, her music taste isn't bad at all.

She only need to reduce the volume of her voice, which somehow irritating :D

well havent heard about it..... is the program all about songs or there are some other things in it....????????

and is it everyday from 630 to 900????

i have heard the program.. and we were listening to it nearly everyday in the morning.

Zawan knows how to keep the programme alive.. i like the songs that she plays.. She is very good but one thing as HH pointed out.. her voice.. sometimes it is too loud..

But the girl always seem to be active and knows perfectly well of what se is doing.. unlike other fm members.. you will be dead laughing!!

Originally posted by Big MO
Radio and TV in Oman are sooooooooooo crap, i just don't bother.
the worst three TV channels on arabsat are 1. sudan 2. yemen 3.oman

would i rather listen to nice new R&B album or zaina, zawana or whatever her name is blabbering about.........:confused: (what's the program about btw:confused: :lost: )

Well i must agree with you about the TV even the Radio in this country .. its just crapy but this radio programe in particulre has a different feeling and a different Rhythm.

Well it has different things - she interviews People... talks about music in egeneral latest Gossipe - hmm local news .. it is just so different.

About her voice. probably that is the only reason why her program sounds different is due to her voice. She can;t do nothing about it ... nor can she change her voice or make it sound lower its her nature.

Plus i am not tlaking about the presenter but about the program. In general i just find it something different .. than the rest of the programs in Radio Oman!

I don't mind Zawan's obnoxious personality, but I do mind the music. Being that Oman FM is our only FM station, I don't think that the DJs should be allowed to choose their own music to play. They should play the kind of music people want to hear, ie popular chart music and the kind of music that's playing in popular radio stations around the world. Eclectic music is all well and good in places where there are many stations to choose from, but when I have absolutely no choice on my dial other than 90.4 fm, I don't want to hear to hindi songs, country and Elvis Presley in the same half hour stretch.

I cannot remember the last time I listened to the Radio, I am quite sure I did not listen to it in the last two years at all, but the last thing that I remember about it was the English FM being a million times better than the arabic one, the only time that I used to listen to the English FM was from 7 PM to 9 PM, and it was all recent music most of the time, at other times of the day, it was SOO BORING, worldwide music and classical stuff, I know that these are not BAD, but it is not really what the Omani audience would want to listen to on their ONLY FM channel.

the worst three TV channels on arabsat are 1. sudan 2. yemen 3.oman
Couldn't agree more, I have written an essay last year about how much I hated all of the Omani media, I might post it in the Sabla in anyone is interested.

I do listen to her programme variably..(depending on my mood)
and to tell u the truth she managed to catch my attention to her programme!!!! the taste of her music which is Variable and Mixture!!!! indian/english/african/Latina....
Made me get more intrested in it
beside That the side talks that she does and The nice way she is presenting in that programme!

10/10 talented Lady!!!!

P.s. Fm is improving year by year and thats a FACT!...

I must say Zawan has an excellent English accent. However, I don't think l like her programme. I used to listen to it while driving to work but it started getting on my nerves .... she plays too many swahili songs, too many Indian songs..... it is suppose to be an English FM.... I mean she can play the other cultural songs once in a while but not every day or 10 times a day!!! As for the English songs dam.n they are from my grandparents era!!! I think I tend to agree with Mux's opinion. I've stopped listening to her to be honest... I'd rather keep the radio turned off!!

However, I'll give her credit for trying to be creative sometimes but it still doesn't meet up with her calibre (someone who's lived most of her life in the UK you'd think she'd be more creative than that!!). Afterall, her programme is privitised so she should start kiggin' in the new style of songs that the general public like to hear!

Originally posted by Seham
I must say Zawan has an excellent English accent. However, I don't think l like her programme. I used to listen to it while driving to work but it started getting on my nerves .... she plays too many swahili songs, too many Indian songs..... it is suppose to be an English FM.... I mean she can play the other cultural songs once in a while but not every day or 10 times a day!!! As for the English songs dam.n they are from my grandparents era!!! I think I tend to agree with Mux's opinion. I've stopped listening to her to be honest... I'd rather keep the radio turned off!!

However, I'll give her credit for trying to be creative sometimes but it still doesn't meet up with her calibre (someone who's lived most of her life in the UK you'd think she'd be more creative than that!!). Afterall, her programme is privitised so she should start kiggin' in the new style of songs that the general public like to hear!

Seham - which program of hers are you excatly talking about?! As you know she ahd few of them? I am particulrey talking about the one that hosts in the very early morning at 6:30 to 9am.

Okay when it comes to her music taste - I would give her credit somehow. Not to forget not only omanies happen to listen to the FM - there are Indians - English - Philipinos - Africans - etc... . She tries her best to actually play as different trakcs as possible ... i mean like the last few days i heard her playing Japanese"now who would think of that?!" she even played South african - Italian - Germeny .. you just name it.

I do not agree that she only plays OLD songs/.. she has a Big time Mixture of all new tracks. Unless you are talking about her other programs than maybe!

Mux - I don;t see why the DJ shouldn;t be given the right to choose whatever song she/he wants to play. It is there time and they can play whatever they want.

Plus just to inlighten you a lil bit more "as many people are big time mistaken about it- Early On has nothing to do with OMAN Radio FM - it is a Privet OWNED program "which Belongs to ZAWAN.No wonder it is doing well.. not crapy like the programs in the Oman Radio!

- it is a Privet OWNED program "which Belongs to ZAWAN.

Does that mean that she pays the radio to have her own programme or what?

Originally posted by BLuE_Chi
Does that mean that she pays the radio to have her own programme or what?

Yes she gives them some % for sure as the only thing is that she is using their Radio but it has nothing to do with Oman Radio.

As if you hear the program you would hear it is being Sponserd by HSBC... so there u go.

well yes i have heard about this programme and i treid to listen to it...but i simply cant stand her voice!

Originally posted by 4-ever-young
well yes i have heard about this programme and i treid to listen to it...but i simply cant stand her voice!

Your not the first to say that :)

neens are you this zayana, zawana lady?

no Bigmo neena isnt Zawan..!

if neens is not zewaina what's up with the ad campaign?

Yes I do listen to that program occasionaly and I wrote about it in a different forum [Not Eng.Sab] the day she started broadcasting it. At least she tried to make the English FM listenable.

Her Highness sayyida Zawan is a creative and charming individual and ofcourse a good radio presenter too, but I hear from some quarters lamenting that, this job is not beffiting her, her class or her background, having in mind the sayyida being the first cousin of MAWLANA. That is the view of some neo-conservatives in town. On the other hand isn't prince X the Queens last born a TV producer?

Well that aside I like I her collection of music as it suits me fine and remeber, Her Highness is forty plus hence you should NOT excpect her to play you Eminem or some other ghetto kids music.

HSBC played a comendable role in sponsering her show.

Originally posted by Big MO
if neens is not zewaina what's up with the ad campaign?

You really think I am advertising for this program?!!! Ur sick in the head fro sure... why one someone before open a thread about the 100 Fm it was not said they are advertising for it?!!

Simple - i love the way she is out there with all her confedence and i just seem to like that program more than a lot which hosts in the Radio.. its just my opinion mate :D

And hey 4-ever - thank you girl to let him know i am not Zawan.... SURE thing I AM NOT!!! :rolleyes:

I prefer listening to Quran in the morning while going to work than listening to songs.

Originally posted by Neena
You really think I am advertising for this program?!!! Ur sick in the head fro sure.


i know who's sick in the head! it's the people who listen to that crap every morning. i mean hindi, swahili and english music on the same program:bang: is this zayan's version of "we are the world"?

Originally posted by RareDiamond
I prefer listening to Quran in the morning while going to work than listening to songs.

and who's your favourite qari' (the guy who reads it)?

i have never heard the program , nor am i the least bit interested in it to be honest. i gave up on our F.M and i totaly agree with mux that the Djs should just stop playing their thing and start playing the songs which are on demand.

Originally posted by Big MO
i know who's sick in the head! it's the people who listen to that crap every morning. i mean hindi, swahili and english music on the same program:bang: is this zayan's version of "we are the world"?

Nothing seem to satisfy Human at all - if they put one type of song they would call that person boring, if they mix they would call them still boring - and if they try and do something different for a change - they would yet call tghem boring... :rolleyes:

Have you even listend to it before judging!?? gosh!

i have never heard the program , nor am i the least bit interested in it to be honest. i gave up on our F.M and i totaly agree with mux that the Djs should just stop playing their thing and start playing the songs which are on demand.

I still do not understand why shouldn;t the DJ be given the right to choose what she/he wants to play for the Listeners?! Its his/her program and for sure their time so why not?!

Plus talking about Zawan in specific... she for sure plays songs which are in fully demand. Just because she happens to play different laugnages doesn;t make her boring!!

Oh well .... you even did not hear out the program Nab to even Judge ... maybe if you switch on the radio for a change !!

Ive heard of it and ive heard of her ... but I havent actually heard it myself so I will soon and see how it goes

Originally posted by Neena
Oh well .... you even did not hear out the program Nab to even Judge ... maybe if you switch on the radio for a change !!

lol.. but am sure its gonna be boring like the rest of the stuff thats played. what interests me are the charts and all those speical radio shows which are related to artists and songs.. NOT INTERVIEWS!!! i mean while u're in the car..who's gonna wanna listed to an interview about health or whatever!! UGH!! :duh:

Originally posted by Neena

Have you even listend to it before judging!?? gosh!



no and i don't plan to. it's not my cup of tea.

i ain't never gonna listen to zayana.

Typical Omanis!! :rolleyes:

If i was there I'd listen ,, Then judge!!

Originally posted by Chocolate
Typical Omanis!! :rolleyes:

If i was there I'd listen ,, Then judge!!

it's not like you've been in Aussie land all your life! how come you've never listened to it?

Those who commented on the show without hearing it are said to be ignorant. Well I have Oman FM on most of the time when I'm in my office, and I don't like it either. What am I then? Tasteless, I guess.

When I used to live in a city that had a dial full of FM stations I used to like to put on NPR or the college radio station from time to time to listen to an ecclectic mix of music. But here in Muscat I have no choice on the radio but Oman FM or that stupid Shabab FM. Why must I suffer through the choices of arrogant DJs who want to play Country Road every single show? I'm guessing that most of the female DJs on Oman FM (other than Zawan) are Indian house-wives who do this as a part time job. Their choice of music is horrible. They mostly play the same songs every single time they're on the air. If Oman FM is only eager to hire expat bored house wives then why not hire some English women who can at least speak proper English.

As for Zawan, if she owns her show, then she can pretty much do whatever she wants with it. She can play 2 hours of nothing but gurgling and burping if she wants. It's up to her to play what she wants, and it's up to us to choose if we want to listen.

Let's not turn it personal. And by the way, I'm gonna side with those here who think that Neena is Zawan; or at least a friend or related to her. Can't think of any other reason she's defending her so passionately.

Originally posted by mux
Well I have Oman FM on most of the time when I'm in my office, and I don't like it either. What am I then? Tasteless, I guess.


you're not tasteless, you don't do alot of work.
listening to the radio in the office:eyes:

what do they talk about in those programmes?
all I know is that my mother was once interviewed and it was about women rights and stuff in concern to that which I didnt listen to either!

Originally posted by mux
Let's not turn it personal. And by the way, I'm gonna side with those here who think that Neena is Zawan; or at least a friend or related to her. Can't think of any other reason she's defending her so passionately. [/B]

Mux - you don;t seem to make any snese let me tell you that - even if i was her friend and if that program or her as a person did not appeal to me than sure I won't defend her just becuase she happens to be my friend:tiered:

It is just that many of those who have not heard this program commented it in a negative way because majority of them know that Radio FM sucks and I can't blame them but it is so silly a smy opinion to jump into conclusion :rolleyes:

No it does not make you tastless at all as long you came across it and you just didn;'t like it.. sure you can hold ur opinion... :duh:

what do they talk about in those programmes?


Well she tends to have all sort of things .. i mean not like i listened to it everyday only when i am awake. Yes she interviews people... and it can be in almost anything - like the most recent things hapinning in oman or famous omani sports - etc... Plus she has her own style anyway...!

lol.. but am sure its gonna be boring like the rest of the stuff thats played.

You see that is excatly what I was talking about!!!

PLus MUX - no one assumed that i am Zawan except MO - so hold it hey!





:rolleyes: :)

i hear it every day when i go to workand i really dont like her taste in music. the concept is great but deffinatly get a good dj on.

Mmm every programme will reach a stage were by will need Upgrading!..I guess she might 2 do this sooner or later!
never the less I will still say : WELL done...since she is making a difference!!!!

Guys .. i was talking about the Program just like one of the members said .. they like the concept of the program but a different Dj would really be something good.

I was asking you guys about the program not the presenter .... so keep her away from this talk if possible!!

Originally posted by Big MO
and who's your favourite qari' (the guy who reads it)?


No idea. I hear the FM 89.00(something). Every morning there is Quran so I don't know who is reading.:)

i listen to this program when i go to skool, when am not in the mood for songs or anythin :P

its really a nice program

I would rather listen to farting sounds !!!!!!!!! LOLOLOLOLOLOL

Also her english accent is crap, what are you talking about. Shes like a female version of faiq on the mic, who spent a few days in UK more than faiq.

However, if we could get rid of those two baboons who play R&B at nite with her i would not complain. Also get rid of story telling time for 5 year olds WHO LISTENs TO THAT CRAP??? Also get rid of Faiqed up on the mic and please GET RID OF ABEER, who thinks she knows it all. GOD I FEEL SO DIRTY WHEN I LISTEN TO ABEER, i need to wash myself afterwards. LAKHSME SHOULD STAY, cuz she's hot and the other hindi too.

In fact a show with Lakhshme and Zawan *droooooooool* yea that would get my attention.

ISNT ABOUT TIME THE WHOLE FM CREW WENT ON A BROADCAST JOURNALISM AND MC COURSE. GOD GET PROFFESIONAL thats all they need to do.

I also noticed that most ppl ahte the radio here, its just because people are not happy with Oman the country but they feel safe atacking the radio rather than other "organisations" such as ministries and private companies, who are the real cause of unhappiness. ITS OK I FEEL FOR YOU.

Zawan since you on the show and your the big bosses first cousin, you should get Omantel online and really grill the hell out of them and tell them to get their act together. If you do this properly, not so much tim sebastian style but somewhere near his level, you're ratings will go thru the roof.

Call it " Livewire with Zawan" or "The roof is on fire..with Zawan"
" This week we interview the CEO of Omantel and the Minister of Telecommunications and try to investigate why Oman is 5000 years behind in technology compared to the rest of the world (even tibet has better internet)

"This week we interview the GM of Omani Air and ask him why Oman Air, even though is the oldest airline in the Gulf, has the smallest fleet, crappiest service and worst pilots i ever seen"

"This week we interview the the chief of police and ask his why the police are so busy stopping cars for fines, when there is plenty of crime such as murder and rape going on, in front of their doors"

"This week we interview a Omani travel agency conglomerate and ask him why 90 % of his managment are hindis and why cant he train 5 Omanis to replace the hindis every year"

Etc etc...
Zawan do you have the COHONES to tackle these topics? I double dare ya

Her voice is unbelievably irritating, gives me the shivers

Originally posted by Nimr Mal Zibala


Zawan since you on the show and your the big bosses first cousin

Who said she is the Big Boss's FIRST cousin or even a cousin!!:rolleyes: As far as I know, she is related but not in the cousin's rank. Oh well this is not the topic so no need to get in there.


I agree with Nimr Mal Zibala, Lakshme is the best of them. She got the voice, the english and the entertaining. The rest such as Faiq: is faking the accent. LoL..he talks more British than the British themselves. That's funny:D

Zibala

You crack me up :D ...Very true those guys needs to interview.

Originally posted by RareDiamond
[quote]
The rest such as Faiq: is faking the accent. LoL..he talks more British than the British themselves. That's funny:D

What makes you so sure to actually make such a judgenment about him RD?!! Do you even know him personally?! Now just because he has a totally british accent does not mena he is working so hard is faking it!! :duh:

i agree with nimar mal zibala

I know everything ok. Dont argue, just pay attention.

Originally posted by Neena
What makes you so sure to actually make such a judgenment about him RD?!! Do you even know him personally?! Now just because he has a totally british accent does not mena he is working so hard is faking it!! :duh:

Not only I know him personally, but he is a far relative of mine. I wouldn't say we are close but I met him couple of time and he was speaking to the person who was with me in a normal English accent bbbbbbbbbuuut the accent is British on FM. Sooooooooo no need to "duh" because I don't say this just on top of my head dear:color:

Originally posted by RareDiamond
Not only I know him personally, but he is a far relative of mine. I wouldn't say we are close but I met him couple of time and he was speaking to the person who was with me in a normal English accent bbbbbbbbbuuut the accent is British on FM. Sooooooooo no need to "duh" because I don't say this just on top of my head dear:color:

I would agree, he does fake it! I called him once to answer a Question he had on FM so under the Air he was talking to me with a normal Accent!!

Originally posted by RareDiamond
Not only I know him personally, but he is a far relative of mine. I wouldn't say we are close but I met him couple of time and he was speaking to the person who was with me in a normal English accent bbbbbbbbbuuut the accent is British on FM. Sooooooooo no need to "duh" because I don't say this just on top of my head dear:color:

Well not a very valid reason at all.. plus if his ur FAR cousin he happens to be MY close cousin..:rolleyes:

I wil tell you something mam - the wya i speak english to the Indian that i see in the shops is totally differen;t when i speak english to my husband or other ppl!!

Why?! because i am like 100% sure that those indians won;t understand $hit from me... so bascially i speak it the way they would understand and YET they tend to have problems!!

THE same thing goes to Faike... he speaks the really $%^&*british scottish accent when his with ppl that he knows that they will defently understand him... but with ppl he don;t know ... I speak and try so hard to sound NORMAL!!! so again :duh:

Originally posted by Neena
Well not a very valid reason at all.. plus if his ur FAR cousin he happens to be MY close cousin..:rolleyes:

I wil tell you something mam - the wya i speak english to the Indian that i see in the shops is totally differen;t when i speak english to my husband or other ppl!!

Why?! because i am like 100% sure that those indians won;t understand $hit from me... so bascially i speak it the way they would understand and YET they tend to have problems!!

THE same thing goes to Faike... he speaks the really $%^&*british scottish accent when his with ppl that he knows that they will defently understand him... but with ppl he don;t know ... I speak and try so hard to sound NORMAL!!! so again :duh:

I don't know how he is related to me but I know his family are. His dad comes to my house every now and then. I was told that he is related to us but I didn't ask why as I don't mingle with far families anyhow.

Well about changing the accent depending on the person, how come British people don't change their accent when they speak to an arab or Indian!! They still speak british because that is the accent. I don't change my accent when I speak to Indian because this is my accent and can't change it. I might speak slowly or fast that is the only way I will change about my speaking but not the accent. so again no need to Duh.:duh: !!!! lol you really make me laugh.. but you are a sweety.

Originally posted by RareDiamond

Well about changing the accent depending on the person, how come British people don't change their accent when they speak to an arab or Indian!! They still speak british because that is the accent. I don't change my accent when I speak to Indian because this is my accent and can't change it. I might speak slowly or fast that is the only way I will change about my speaking but not the accent. so again no need to Duh.:duh: !!!! lol you really make me laugh.. but you are a sweety.

RA - no use to really explain more on this matter - i just don;t know how to explain anyway .. so lets just keep it to that... okay :) .. and thank you fro that sweet compliment!

Originally posted by Neena
I wil tell you something mam - the wya i speak english to the Indian that i see in the shops is totally differen;t when i speak english to my husband or other ppl!!

Why?! because i am like 100% sure that those indians won;t understand $hit from me... so bascially i speak it the way they would understand and YET they tend to have problems!!

THE same thing goes to Faike... he speaks the really $%^&*british scottish accent when his with ppl that he knows that they will defently understand him... but with ppl he don;t know ... I speak and try so hard to sound NORMAL!!! so again :duh:

LOL, sorry Neena, but this mean that he is expecting the Omani audience to fully understand the British Scottish accept, but when one of these audeince call back he changes his accent so that they understand him better. :D

is only for his euro trash friends.
Lakhsmes show is for hindis
Abeer show is for hindis
R&B show with those two swahili baboons are for themselves
Zawan i think is also a show for herself not for anyone

And the english pals luv it when he speaks to them in his faiq/fake accent. Since the english don't like to mix with others other then their own kind, i noticed any Omani who hangs with a group of english people all day every day fake their accents just to feel more accepted. I know several people. In fact lots of people fake their accents, lots of people try to speak like hte niggas from america. Even though the niggas are originally from AFrica ;)

i kinda agree with fishfood...i mean Nimr mal zibala...

the shows on F.M are really really terrible...and they really gotta do something about it.

the only thing i ever listen to on the F.M is the U.K charts on saturday.. thats IF i listen to it!!

dont they listen to the F.M in other countries? cant they compare for themselves??

sheesh!!

Until all radio oman staff dies.

I've listened to Zawan's program once or twice in the moring, It wasn't so bad, but in the same time the topics didn't attract me to complete listening to it...Maybe it attracts other ppl so we can not say it is pointless!!!!
About the FM in general I think they have different kinds of programmes which attract alot of ppl Omanies & non Omanis, depends on the callers nationality.
Personaly I like Abeer's programe & the arabic songs she choose, the english songs are a lil old I think, & the best is the Classical music in both FMs Arabic & english;) ..

Cheers
El7ilwa

Early on with Zawan... and Later on, too
By Patricia Groves

Early On
TURN on your radio to 90.4 FM at 6:30 am and you will hear a rooster crow, heralding hearty good mornings from around the world. And then you will hear the inimitable, dusky voice of Zawan waking you up with laughter and good cheer. No matter what, you will have a better day after such a start.Zawan is bursting with personality, ignited with flaming creativity. No two mornings are alike; and there is no-one like Zawan. This young woman soars into the airwaves as if she were born there. And her show, now in its second season, is a phenomenal run-away success.

On a Thursday morning I have come to interview Zawan at home. She is wearing a glorious array of star-shaped flower patches, perhaps over denim. Whatever it is, it suits her to a T. There is a football insignia somewhere in the design. On the air, Zawan is a wonderful grown up kid, full of fun and also an accomplished interviewer with a keen intellect; and behind the scenes she is a serious businesswoman with total, assured competence. An outstanding professional journalist, Zawan’s formative experience was with the BBC. Her educational background includes a degree in English Literature from the University of London and a Post Graduate diploma in Broadcast Journalism.





But success in her field does not happen quite that simply. Zawan has talent, undoubtedly, and know-how, not to mention plenty of ‘pzazz’, but all this is not enough. Success in the entertainment business is all about hard work and having a vision, never letting go of the vision. Zawan had a vision of an almost television style breakfast show for radio. It would include analysis of current events; it would have great music suited to the local audience and it would be catalysed by personality. It was almost a Herculean effort to realise the vision and bring the dream to fruition, because there were difficult barriers to break through, since this was, for Muscat, a fairly new idea and would require mobilising support, working through bureaucracy, the right kind of marketing, and faith.


The Zawan I meet off air is the very same Zawan who is so full of energy and effervescent good cheer every morning on the radio, but is this the real Zawan? What is she like behind the scenes… and what would the people who work for her say? If they were to spill the beans, what would we hear? Might we hear about, say, an overbearing prima donna? Well, not a prima donna, but we might run into some volatile scenes and a memorable temper tantrum or two, when things are not going as they should. Most of the time it is fun to work with Zawan, but she agrees that, if there is a sudden frustration looming on the horizon, it is best for everyone to run for cover.

I asked her if she gets discouraged and how she manages a young family along with the early hours and the intense demands of her profession. Yes Zawan does get discouraged, often, in this high profile profession which is focused on personal performance and subject to negative comment, whether justified or not; and sometimes it is not easy to keep a thick skin and brush aside painful incidents. It is her marriage and family life that are her salvation. As Zawan explains this, one of the children comes into the room for a hug and a little chat.

Zawan leaves with the child and I have an opportunity to look at the large framed photographs on the walls. Without exception they are happy scenes from family life. None are “trophy” pictures from travel; or awards won; or poses with famous people. And amazingly, Zawan looks completely different in each photo, many of which are birthday shots. The most striking is a portrait in which Zawan, with a red flower inventively placed in her dark hair, looks very like Frida Khalo. Later I learn that each birthday has a theme.

Zawan comes back into the majlis with that particularly lovely radiance that tending to a child gives the mother. As she settles comfortably in the sofa happy, beaming, glamourous in her own surroundings, and every bit as enthusiastic about her work as before, I can’t help but hear the echoes of the Early On, with Zawan theme songs — those brief, sonnet-like sound bites that are the signature of her programme and that are very Zawan. They are actually original compositions made to order for Zawan by players from the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Oman. Because of these beautiful compositions, the name Zawan now floats in our consciousness like magic, like romance.

Zawan explains that her name is a traditional Omani name that dates from Pre-Islamic times and exists nowhere else in the Arab world. Her father told her she was named after the Mother of His Majesty Sultan Said. Though once Zawan spurned her name as old-fashioned, she now sees it in a different light: It is unique. I love it! The music for Early On with Zawan is selected to appeal to everyone in the Sultanate reached by radio airwaves — all the main expatriate communities, as well as Omanis. This is a great thing to do — to play not just the globally popular music but also songs from Arab culture and songs from India, Africa, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and other expatriate cultures to give people far from home their own music on the local radio station.

This shows respect for other cultures and builds community. It exposes audiences to a diversity and stimulation that they would otherwise experience only by travelling. And listeners love it. The current affairs dimension of the programme provides educational value and “human interest”. It also has a public service role in informing people of local events and results in community building, since the people interviewed are often local experts from the different nationalities residing in the Sultanate. The phone-in lines are humming with an interest and involvement that is remarkable for so early in the morning.

Later On
and the Greater Vision
It is hard to remember now what came before Zawan and Early On — but, before 7 am, there was nothing (no programming); and, following the Holy Quran at 7 am, only predictable popular music of a similar sort. How our world has been enriched, but it does not end here. Zawan is about to launch Later on, a late afternoon radio show, sponsored by BankMuscat and designed to “make a difference”. “I hope that ‘Later on’ will make a difference. This is a show that I will produce and a male star will host. The emphasis will be on sports. The sound of radio in Oman lacks a critical mass of male personality. Fyke is doing a great job and people are craving more.

Zawan sees her parents as having helped to set her on the present course. Zawan’s Father was His Highness Sayyid Faher, son of Sultan Taimour who ruled Oman from 1913 to 1931. After a distinguished military career, Sayyid Faher bin Taimour served the Sultanate as Deputy Prime Minister of Security and Defence, and as Minister of Defence. “I am definitely my Father’s daughter. He was a very powerful man and very humanitarian. If you talk to anyone you will hear how kind he was and how generous. With any problem, people would come to him first. He was very, very generous and is very fondly remembered.

He instilled a lot of this in his children. First of all he gave us freedom and a sense of independence — unheard of in a conservative Arab world. He was extremely encouraging of the idea of making something of yourself. He said, ‘What you have materially will not last. You must be educated. You must have a skill. You may end up having to work. He was very strong about his children being able to work, to have a skill. And I just fell in love with broadcasting — I am very passionate about it” My Mother was a village girl from Suwaiq, a beauty with model looks. What we lacked in emotional availability from my Father, was provided by my Mother. She was extremely loving and never said no.

She let me swim and play sports. And I am that way with my children. I want them to be exposed to mental challenges. Whatever they do, I hope they achieve success.” Having absorbed the outstanding quality of each parent, Zawan is appreciated among her friends for her extraordinary generosity, as well as for her great big heart. I have an image from a vivid memory of Zawan presiding with her husband Abdullah at a dinner she is hosting for a small group of friends. On such occasions Zawan is warm, welcoming and attentive; unusually relaxed, gently charming. And there is something different, something quite special, an indefinable graciousness, an air of serenity that reveals the royal side of her persona and you know you are in the presence of a princess.

Born HH Sayyida Zawan bin Fahar al Said, Zawan prefers not to be called “Your Highness”, does not use her title, and is very much at ease in the ordinary world. Nevertheless, at certain times, Zawan’s royal aura shines through, very naturally and leaves magic traces. Just as she has found her professional destiny, Zawan has found personal happiness in her marriage to Brigadier Abdullah al Dhabari and in their three children, Zaha and Zahya, twins who are six and half years old; and Zehy who is four years old. Zawan loves to tell the story of how she met and wooed Abdullah. She first saw Abdullah in the sitting room of her father’s house in London when she was a young girl.


For the full interview pls see this site http://omanobserver.com/monday/index.html

um...can any one please sumarries?

By Zawan......... “I suppose it could be meeting Madonna. While I do not look up to her, I admire her energy, her no-nonsense approach. You cannot be that massively successful and not be a solid person. She portrays an image of which I think she is the opposite. I think she is a traditionalist behind the “I am sexy” front. She has to have an image and that one works. She is very tough. For instance, nobody dares publish a picture of her wedding. She had seventeen dollars in her pocket when she arrived as a nobody in New York; and she succeeded against all the odds.”

I really had to copy this from the website and past it in here just for you NABS!!!!. I am sure you will be VERY happy to see that comment of Madona coming from Zawan!!!! :tiered:

Looks like even Zawan likes her .. gosh!!

Well the interview was nice .... she is a taugh woman indeed!

I just read a small part of that article, I never listened to the progamme and this thread is the only place I have heard of it and of her Zawan, but after reading that small part of the article, I think that Zawan is a great person, he has her own magic I guess, she might be noisy, lol, but still, she is very energetic and I guess she deserves to be respected.

How our world has been enriched, but it does not end here. Zawan is about to launch Later on, a late afternoon radio show, sponsored by BankMuscat and designed to “make a difference”.

For better or for worse, she is making another programme, to make a difference. :)

[size=1]Originally posted by Seham
....I used to listen to it while driving to work but it started getting on my nerves .... she plays too many swahili songs, too many Indian songs..... I'd rather keep the radio turned off!!


http://thumb1.image.altavista.com/image/65171697

I completly agree with Seham and share the same opinion.

Zawan has a great personality and is very professional at her job, trying to always come with something different. However, for me her voice is a killer! Her programm might be interesting, but I simply can't stand at 6.45 in the morning to hear such a rough voice! It really irritates me and I prefer to put the volume down than to listen to it and it is unfortunate.

I also noticed, at least for the past few days, that she always plays indian songs in the early hours of 7, 8 am...this might make the day of the indian community and I am sure they really love her for that, but as for me it is a big "NO THANK YOU"!

Originally posted by NaBHaN
...the shows on F.M are really really terrible...and they really gotta do something about it.
....
sheesh!!

http://thumb1.image.altavista.com/image/143734785

To solve the situation, why don't you guys do like me and simply buy at Al Araimi or Carrefour a nice satelite radio (about R.O. 48 for Panasonic) where you can listen to a wide range of great international stations. I love the hispanic one playing all the latest rumbas! So "bye-bye Oman FM"...http://mazeguy.tripod.com/musical/headphones.gif

Originally posted by X-press
http://thumb1.image.altavista.com/image/143734785

To solve the situation, why don't you guys do like me and simply buy at Al Araimi or Carrefour a nice satelite radio (about R.O. 48 for Panasonic) where you can listen to a wide range of great international stations. I love the hispanic one playing all the latest rumbas! So "bye-bye Oman FM"...http://mazeguy.tripod.com/musical/headphones.gif


X-Press, is this satelite radio used in the car??? If so, it is called satelite radio and where can I get it?? Can I hear Dubai FMs as well??

This is good if you can be able to actully listen to other international FM :) and how much is it?!

Originally posted by Neena
This is good if you can be able to actully listen to other international FM :) and how much is it?!


About 48 O.R as X-press says

Originally posted by RareDiamond
X-Press, is this satelite radio used in the car??? If so, it is called satelite radio and where can I get it?? Can I hear Dubai FMs as well??

I am afraid RareDiamond that I can't really give you an answer to your questions as I have never tried to used it in my car. This satelite radio is maybe about 40 cm wide and portable, but it is not a tiny radio.

Normally the satelite (which is also battery operated) has to face a certain direction to work well and get enough reception and works great if used outside (ie: the garden, the beach ect...). If you are in the house, you have to either put the satelite receiver near a widow or outside with an extension cable. The shop also sells a roof antena for indoor use.

I have never tried to listen to Dubai FM, but I am pretty sure you can get it...ask the representative what is the channel no.

You can listen to many worldwide FM channels through the internet, I don't have any links with me now, but lots of the Media Players like RealOne and Windows Media Player support that feature.

Later On, Early On’s cheeky little brother, makes radio debut
By A Staff Reporter
MUSCAT — Later On, the second ever privately-owned radio show to be broadcast on Oman FM, will make its live debut this afternoon. The show, which will run from 4 until 6:30 every weekday, will cater for a variety of audiences with a mix of news, sports, interviews and music and will be sponsored by Bank Muscat.

Described as Early On’s cheeky little brother’, Later On is the brainchild of Zawan al Said, who presents the morning show Early On, and is a product of her production company Zawan’s Heard and Not Seen Productions. After the success of her breakfast show, Zawan approached the Ministry of Information with a proposal to create an afternoon show, one which would involve local listeners and which would have a distinct ‘voice’ which people could relate to and interact with.

“This show is going to have structure to it, something which is lacking in the many recorded programmes which are aired here,” said Zawan, “We are trying to make a difference with Later On, a programme which listeners will be able to connect to on a daily basis,” she said. Later On’s host, Observer contributor Frank Field, said that he was very excited about the launch. “I can’t wait,” he told the Observer. “This will be a show aimed at people who are on their way home from work, or have just arrived home and want to be informed and entertained,” he said. “We want to tap into the pulse of the community and strike up a real bond with our listeners,” he added.

Frank has a background in journalism, and as such will be heavily involved in the research and scriptwriting which goes on behind the scenes. Setting up the new show has been a long, hard process for Zawan and her team and has not been without its setbacks, but the show is all set to be launched onto the airwaves this afternoon. The introduction of a second privately-owned radio show raises the question of the possibility of the creation of a private radio station. But Zawan told Observer that a private station was still a long way away from becoming a reality.

The wealth of experience which Zawan and her team have collected whilst producing Early On will no doubt make a huge difference to the success of Later On. Annie Rajesh Rao, the assistant producer, will be responsible for tracking down guests to be interviewed live on the programme. Antonio Goudhino compiles the music and Dorothy Opera provides research.

There are also reporters who will play an active role in the team, Sami Rahman and Helen Larson will be covering entertainment and Mu’eed al Ra’ee will take care of the sporting news. The first edition of Later On will go to air this afternoon from 4 until 6:30, and will be broadcast every weekday at the same time on 90.4 and 91.3 FM.

Originally posted by X-press


her voice is a killer!

such a rough voice!




She was never created for ladies. To the contrary I find her voice very sexy. I think her husband ought to go and meditate in a cave for have been blessed with her as a wife. Her voice is melody in it's own rights. If anything I'd love to hear her voice presenting Jazz and Clissical music regardless of nationality of the music itself.

Well done Zawan.

is available but uhave to pay a monthly subscription and right now only available in the west. However if u buy it and subscribe for it in the waste it might just work here. Check out the Sony website