HIS MAJESTY SULTAN QABOOS

Sultan Qaboos bin Said was born in Salalah in Dhofar on 18th November, 1940. He is the only son of the late Sultan Said bin Taimur and is eighth in the direct line of the Al Busaidy dynasty, which was founded in 1744 by Imam Ahmad bin Said, who was a leader of outstanding ability and came to power after a period of civil war, bringing peace and stability to the land. His Majesty spent his youth in Salalah where he was educated. At the age of 16, his father sent him to a private educational establishment in England. In 1960, he entered the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst as an officer cadet. Having passed out of Sandhurst he joined a British infantry battalion on operational duty in Germany for one year and also held a staff appointment with the British Army. After his military service His Majesty studied local government in England and went on a world tour before returning home. The next 6 years were spent in Salalah studying Islam and the history of his country and people. On the abdication of his father and his own accession on 23rd July 1970, His Majesty arrived in Muscat to begin the task for which he had been destined. On the 9th August Sultan Qaboos made the first of many speeches setting out his vision for the people and the country. He declared that the country would have a new flag and that it would no longer be called 'Muscat and Oman' but unified with Dhofar as the Sultanate of Oman. Restrictions on freedom of movement were lifted and Omanis who had left the country were invited to return to take part in the challenge that lay ahead. Extract from the speech by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to his people on the day of his Accession 23rd July, 1970.

International Relations

In 1970, Oman had been isolated from the rest of the world for far too long and it was now essential to open up the country and develop proper international relations which had been almost non-existent. From the time of his accession, His Majesty's foreign policy has always been to extend the hand of friendship to all countries on the basis of non-interference in each other's internal affairs, mutual respect, peaceful co-existence and good neighbourliness.

Meeting the People

His Majesty attaches great importance to meeting his people and, every year, he makes a point of travelling to a particular area of the country to see for himself what must be done and what the needs of his people are, who thus have direct access to their Sultan and can discuss their problems personally with him. There is always a massive turnout of people whenever His Majesty is due to visit a particular town or area. People of all age grouped and walks of life spontaneously celebrate with music and dance their joy and happiness at his arrival. Over the past 25 years His Majesty has extended great personal care to his people and to humanitarian causes. He has given financial assistance to worthy causes both outside and within Oman. It was His Majesty who made the first contribution to the Omani Organisation for Charitable Works. He has always shown particular concern for those in society who are disadvantaged. In 1995 His Majesty made a personal donation of RO. 1.5 million to 42,047 families on social security, and to coincide with National Day he donated a kidney stone dispersal machine to the Ministry of Health. His Majesty has greatly helped young people to lead a happy and fruitful life.

Royal Amnesty

In early November 1995 His Majesty ordered an amnesty for all those prisoners who had been convicted of involvement in illegal activities and organisations. Pardon was also granted to the members of such groups who had remained abroad in exile. This was a magnanimous gesture, particularly to the families of those concerned, which was well received and is typical of the way in which His Majesty has won the hearts of his people by showing tolerance and forgiveness. Many world leaders and statesmen have praised the qualities of His Majesty; his dedication to his country and to his people; his commitment and unswerving determination to achieve progress and development; his role on the world stage and his patriotic and humanitarian feelings.

Celebrations in honour of His Majesty were held both spontaneously and officially throughout the country during November 1995 with all kinds of festivities, illuminations, decorations, programmes and parades too numerous to mention. The 26th National Day is being held at Sur which will be the focus for major industrial and commercial expansion in the years to come.

Historic Speech

His Majesty delivered a landmark speech on the 25th National Day, praising the contribution made by his countrymen in building the nation and urging them to greater achievements in the years to come.
"Countrymen,
You have all played your part in the making of this new chapter in Oman history. Everyone has made his own contribution, according to his ability, in building this structure for our future.' Referring to the new era of Oman's development, His Majesty said:- "This phase will be full of the highest expectations, but contain great challenges which will require from you unflagging determination, strong arms and clear minds. This phase will call for intensive work, effort and sacrifice for your country".His Majesty stressed the importance of economic diversification and the role of the private sector, calling upon all citizens to save, invest, pursue business, develop tourism, industry and agriculture. In his speech, His Majesty placed great emphasis on the development of human resources as the way forward for the Omani people, stressing, in particular, the importance of general and technological education.His Majesty's Speech on the 26th National Day of the country

Domestic & International

PoliciesWith introduction of the new Five-Year Plan, His Majesty reiterated the need for concerted effort by all concerned to plan and implement a new phase in the country's development. During the conference on Oman's economy to the year 2020 in June 1995, His Majesty had urged the private sector to play an active role in the diversification of the economy in order to create new wealth and jobs for the Omani people. His Majesty has encouraged the democratic process through the Majlis al-Shura and given great emphasis to the advancement of women in all spheres of the country's life. His Majesty has successfully maintained a delicate balance between preserving the traditions and religion of his country and introducing the modernisation needed to keep pace with the changes taking place in the rest of the world.

Peace in the Middle East

His Majesty has spoken out strongly against terrorism and fanatism. He has stressed his belief that international disputes must be settled through negotiation and not conflict. His mediation, when invited to do so, has earned him the respect of the world community. His Majesty was the only Arab leader who supported the late President Anwar Sadat's mission to Israel, which led to the Camp David peace accord, and has consistently urged forward the peace process in the Middle East. His Majesty regards the achievement of a comprehensive and lasting peace in the region as being of the highest priority, and has worked tirelessly to this end.