For over five decades, the Indian Social Club has been the cultural backbone of the Indian diaspora in Oman. Now, the organization that helped build its own home in Darsait is asking the community to help it build again, this time in Al Amerat.In the face of directives to vacate its long-standing joint headquarters with the Indian School Muscat (ISM) in Darsait, the International Studies Center has formally appealed to members of the Indian community across the Sultanate to come forward with financial support for the construction of a dedicated complex on the land already allocated to it in Al Amerat.The appeal signals a pivotal moment: either the community will mobilize resources to create an independent, modern headquarters, or the club risks losing the physical space that has anchored its activities for decades.This campaign gained momentum at a town hall meeting on February 20, 2026, followed by a breakfast hosted by a senior community member on February 24. At both events, attendees proposed a renewed and organized fundraising effort to finally develop the Al Amerat site.Community members have been asked to indicate their willingness to contribute by March 1, 2026, through a customized form. “Based on the response received, the next course of action will be determined,” a social worker said.
A circular circulating within the community urges recipients to share the appeal widely to ensure broad participation and meaningful feedback. If sufficient pledges are secured, a steering committee of senior community members will be formed to oversee the project transparently and within a specified time frame. It is expected that major shareholders will have representation on this committee, and pledged funds must be deposited immediately to allow construction to begin.The ISC leadership also invited suggestions from the wider community to improve the proposal and ensure the long-term sustainability of the planned complex.In support of the call made by India’s Ambassador to Oman, GV Srinivas, senior member of the International Study Center Sohail Khan said:“We warmly welcome this initiative by His Excellency GV Srinivas. It is an encouraging call for our community, especially business leaders, to come forward and support the establishment of a modern and state-of-the-art Indian Social Club complex in Al Amerat.”He added: “The new facility will enhance our cultural, social and recreational activities, further enhance community participation, and will serve as a vital center for generations of the Indian community in Oman.”The ISC’s roots go back to the early 1970s, when prominent Indian expatriates established the Indian Cultural Society to serve the social and intellectual needs of the growing community.In 1974, the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimur granted 15,000 square meters of land in Darsait to the Indian community.
Since the allotment did not restrict the use of the land to the school building only, it was decided that the school and the cultural association would operate from the same building. The infrastructure for both was built through donations from leading business houses and community members – a precedent that the ISC is now citing again.In 1994, as part of a government initiative to formalize citizenship-based community clubs supervised by the Ministry of Social Development, the Indian Cultural Society was reconstituted as the Indian Social Club.
Today, the International Study Center operates under the bylaws issued by the Ministry and is managed by a 12-member committee.Over the years, it has evolved into a comprehensive platform for sports, education, charity and culture, organizing musical programmes, literary events, marches, cultural evenings and National Day celebrations, while working closely with the Indian Embassy and the Omani authorities.The current challenge is not about land, but about money.In 2010, ISC obtained usufruct rights to a 10,000 square meter plot of land in Al Amerat from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning for a period of 25 years, renewable upon request. The purpose of this allocation was to enable the club to develop an independent facility separate from the school in Darset.But the project remained on paper.According to estimates shared with the community, leveling the uneven terrain alone could cost around one million Omani Riyals. Construction costs can range from OMR 2 million to OMR 8 million, depending on the size and design of the complex.For a community foundation born of collective donations in the 1970s, the message is clear: its future infrastructure will depend, once again, on collective will.
