MUSCAT – The Indian Social Club (ISC) in Muscat has appealed to the Indian community in Oman to mobilise financial support for the construction of a dedicated complex in Al Amerat, after being directed to vacate premises it has shared for decades with Indian School Muscat (ISM).

In a detailed circular issued this week, the ISC called on potential sponsors and contributors to express their interest by March 1, 2026, saying the next course of action would depend on the response received.

The move follows a communication from the Ministry of Education dated Aug. 27, 2025, in which the school’s board was instructed to inform the club to move out. According to the circular, the ministry has indicated under existing norms that both the school and the club should not continue operating from the same premises.

The ISC traces its origins to the Indian Cultural Association, formed around 50 years ago by prominent members of the Indian community to cater to social, cultural, sporting and intellectual needs in the Sultanate. In 1974, land measuring 15,000 square metres in Darsait was granted to the Indian community by the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, enabling the development of infrastructure through community donations.

In 1994, under a government initiative to establish community clubs for various nationalities under the Ministry of Social Development, the association was renamed the Indian Social Club. Since then, the ISC has functioned as an umbrella body promoting community cohesion, cultural identity and charitable activities, while serving as a bridge between the Indian community, the Indian Embassy and Omani society.

For nearly five decades, the ISC and ISM have co-existed, administering their respective facilities and sharing a hall under terms set by donors. The land currently occupied by both institutions is registered in the name of the school.

The ISC was granted usufruct rights in 2010 over a separate 10,000 square metre plot in Al Amerat for 25 years, renewable upon request, to enable it to establish an independent facility. However, the club said it was unable to shift due to lack of adequate funds.

The circular estimates that levelling the Al Amerat land could cost around RO 1 million, while construction expenses are projected at between RO 2 million and RO 8 million depending on the scope of the complex.

The issue was discussed during an Open House on Feb. 20, 2026, and again at an iftar hosted by Shri P. Mohamed Ali on Feb. 24, where community members suggested making another attempt to pool resources to make the project viable.

The ISC has requested recipients to forward the circular to potential sponsors to ensure comprehensive feedback and broader participation. If sufficient funds are pledged, a steering committee comprising senior community members and major contributors would be formed to oversee the project in a transparent and time-bound manner. Contributions, the circular said, would be deposited into a designated account to facilitate execution of the construction.

The club said further decisions would be taken after assessing responses received by the March 1 deadline.