Our Oman: 'We went from zero to 100, from nothing to everything' — Omani author

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Muscat: Omani author Ahmed Al Riyami recalls the time when the clarion call was issued inviting all Omanis -- by birth, nationality, and origin – back to the Sultanate to witness and be a part of the development process that was to follow.
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“I believe what we have achieved here may take other countries centuries,” said Al Riyami proudly. “From zero to 100, from nothing to everything.”
After fleeing from Zanzibar in the wake of the 1964 revolution, Al Riyami moved to Kuwait and then to Ras Al Khaimah, where he heard the much-awaited announcement.
“I didn’t believe it at first,” he reminisced. “But when His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said personally invited all Omanis, by birth, by origin, or by nationalisation, I was more than overjoyed.”
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When Al Riyami came to the Sultanate on the announcement of the Blessed Renaissance, a lot of basic comforts were missing.
“There was no communication network, no roads, hospitals almost none for so long,” he recalled. “When I was in Zanzibar, my folks had told me that Oman was completely cut off. It was home to sickness and ignorance.”
However, after His Majesty the Sultan took over, the changes people witnessed were rapid and strong.
“When His Majesty took over, this was all history,” said Al Riyami. “During his tenure everything has been achieved. When I sit down and look back, I realise I came here to nothing and now I’m surrounded by almost everything.”
Al Riyami is proud to be an Omani and to have experienced 48 years of progress and development in all walks of life.