Those countries and nations are considered highly fortunate which have sincere, hardworking, able, dedicated, committed leadership and Oman is among one of them. Omani leadership formulated a policy of neutrality, avoided conflicts, promoted peace, tolerance and harmony and played a very important role bringing various countries closer to remove their differences by dialogue and paved the way for strong future development scenario and durable peace in the region.
Sultan Qaboos bin Said who turned Oman from a poverty ridden and a backward country to a modern one on scientific footing with combination of Islamic and contemporary education without sacrificing its beautiful traditions, values, language and culture. He not only ruled over the land of Oman but also over the hearts and minds of Omani people. He loved his people and was well-wisher of them. Under his visionary, able, committed leadership Oman which previously was isolated now became a very important country not only in the region but also globally. He implemented a policy of modernization, development, prosperity and ended Oman’s international isolation. His reign witnessed a significant rise in living standards and mass development in the country. He abolished slavery, and out down the Dhofar Rebellion and promulgated the constitution of Oman.
Sultan Qaboos deeply studied Islam, Quran and Seerah of beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and got unique wisdom with the combination of western education. Oman witnessed significant development in almost every sector during his regime. Oman which was a poorly managed country, severely lacking in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, with only 10 kilometer of paved roads and a population depended on subsistence farming and fishing. Sultan Qaboos changed the mindset of people, modernized the country using oil revenue. Schools with scientific laboratories, hospitals with modern and sophisticated health facilities were built and a modern infrastructure was laid down, with hundreds of kilometers of new paved roads, telecommunications network was established, development work got momentum and port and airport construction work completed speedily which was slow during previous regime and a new port was also built. Electrification to mass area was also completed. Sultan Qaboos government also began to search for new water resources and built a desalination plant. To boost Omani economy, Sultan Qaboos and his government encourage private sector, especially in development projects to provide maximum relief and facilities to common people. Banks, hotels, insurance companies, and print media began to appear significantly as country developed economically. The Omani Riyal was established as the national currency, replacing Indian rupee and Maria Theresa thaler. Later additional ports were also built, to promote education, science and technology universities were opened and equipped with modern technologies and highly qualified, experienced faculty members were hired. The Sultan’s birthday commences on 18th of November and every year is celebrated as national holiday. 23rd July is celebrated as Renaissance Day.
Sultan Qaboos promulgated a very balanced foreign policies and kept a distance from regional conflicts and made all the countries in the region as Oman’s friends. Sultan Qaboos opened diplomatic relations with Oman’s neighbours, and joined the Arab League and United Nations. The Country became a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council in 1981. Sultan Qaboos introduced a very balanced foreign policies and successfully maintained a cordial relation with a wide range of countries regardless of their political alignment including Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE and navigated neutrality on a number of contentious regional issues including Iranian nuclear capability, the GCC blockade of Qatar and civil war in Yemen. At times, Sultan Qaboos was able to position himself as a trusted mediator in the region’s tensest situations. Despite Oman’s relative lack of oil and gas compared to other Gulf States, Qaboos invested his country’s wealth so that all citizens are guaranteed free education up to the doctoral level: free healthcare, free land, soft loans for building homes, jobs and social security for disabled, orphans and widows. Sultan Qaboos helped to build or restore thousands of Masjids at his personal expense, the grandest being the Sultan Qaboos Masjid which can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers.
Sultan Qaboos was strong supporter of moderate Islam and created a unique Islamic Culture in Oman that has carefully combined the best of traditional Islam with the benefits of the modern world. Sultan Qaboos promoted culturally-specific Islamic dress, art, architecture and education. Sultan Qaboos also supported non-Muslim population through the construction of Catholic and Protestant Churches in the country as well as Hindu Temples.
Sultan Qaboos died on 10 January,2020 at the age of 79 years. The following day, the government of Oman declared three days of national mourning and the country’s flag was flown at half-mast for a period of forty days. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Egypt all declared three days mourning. He was well-wisher and trusted friend of Pakistan and Pakistani people will always remember him as their trusted friend and always pray for his “Maghfirah”.
Sultan Haitham bin Tarik succeeded to Sultan Qaboos. Following the footsteps of Sultan Qaboos, His majesty Sultan Haitham also has a vision to further develop and modernize Oman compatible to Omani culture and Islamic traditions. Since formally assuming office on 11January,2023, at a joint session of the Oman and Defense Councils, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has been marshalling national energies in the service of a renowned Omani renaissance. As the infrastructure of Oman Vision 2040 is established, layer by layer, the goals of the renewed renaissance are merging with that vision. Oman 2040 was launched at the start of 2021 alongside the Tenth Five years plan (2021-2025). Together these three strategic and mutually supportive projects can be seen to come together in the sweeping vision of His Majesty Sultan Haitham. In an early and ground-breaking address, delivered on 23rd February,2020 the far-reaching extent of that vision were made clear in his pledge to overhaul the state’s administrative apparatus, broaden the access of young people by expanding opportunities for their contribution to the development efforts. Women could expect greater empowerment and a more prominent position in the action and consequences of the changes to be brought in by Oman vision 2040. Supporting these major shifts would be a legislative infra structure that would see through the reforms into a future of sustainable and comprehensive development.
His Majesty has already seen through reality many of these ambitious pledges, fully committed as he is to sustaining the momentum of the renewed renaissance through the next phase of the accomplished phase of that plan. The endeavor is one that demands engagement by the public, who will benefit from its successes, harvesting the rewards of progress manifested in their beloved country in a climate of territorial security and social stability. Sultan Haitham has taken a direct interest in the rollout of Oman Vision 2040 which will consume four five years development plans on the path of its full fruition.
His Majesty Sultan Haitham is also have similar vision of peace and mediator
Biography of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik Taimur Al Said
Sultan Haitham was born in 1954 and he is cousin of Late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik was graduated from Oxford University in 1979. He held position of under secretary of state for eight years from 1986 to 1994. In 1994 he was appointed as Secretary General of the Ministry of foreign affairs and was appointed as chairman of the committee for planning of development of Oman in 2013. In January 2020 he was chosen for this prestigious status of Sultan of Oman.
In a nut and shell Omani leadership is committed to develop Oman at par with most advanced and developed countries and to trickle down fruits of development to the common people of Oman.