National Day celebrations continue across Oman

Oman Saturday 21/November/2020 22:14 PM
By: Times News Service
National Day celebrations continue across Oman
Omanis and expats both pledged loyalty to His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik in his efforts to lead Oman forward on the path of development and progress. Photo: Courtesy Yusra Al Amri

Muscat: Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, people in Oman continue to find joy in celebrating the country’s 50th National Day.

Falling on 18 November, National Day is a time of celebration for both Omanis and expats in the country, and is marked with decorative lights illuminating the streets, patriotic posters and stickers on vehicles.

This year, Omanis and expats both pledged loyalty to His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik in his efforts to lead Oman forward on the path of development and progress.

This year also saw tributes being paid to the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimour, whose birthday is celebrated as National Day, after he was sworn in as Sultan in 1970.

Photo: Courtesy Mohammed Al Ruzaiqi

“This occasion is a source of pride and grandeur for everyone who belongs to this dear country,” said Salim bin Marhoon Al Badi from the Wilayat of Saham. “I turn 58 this year, which means I first saw the dawn of the Renaissance when I was just a boy. I have seen the changes this country has undergone over the previous decades. The difference between what we previously were, before the Renaissance, and what we are now, is just staggering.

“The late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said bin Taimour united the country as one, and under his able leadership, the Sultanate gained local and international respect across the economic, athletic, political, social and cultural spectrums,” he added. “Today, we live in a country that is safe and welcoming to all, with our rights fully guaranteed by our leaders.

Photo: Courtesy Mohammed Al Ruzaiqi

“We live in a sovereign state that does not discriminate between those that live in the different wilayats of our country. Today, citizens understand and value the need for a state that has strong laws and institutions,” he added. “We are today reaping the fruits of the blessed Renaissance that began in 1970 under the leadership of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said bin Taimour, may God have mercy on him.”

The arrival of National Day in the country is also signified by the adorning of flagpoles across all of Oman’s major roads, as well as buildings illuminated in the colours of the national flag: red, white and green.

Firework displays were also organised in the governorates of Musandam, Buraimi, Dhofar, and the capital, Muscat, to commemorate this golden jubilee. In some areas of the country, people took to the streets in their cars, waving flags and honking to celebrate the occasion, while still maintaining social distancing.

“I am very happy on this wonderful occasion, as we see all around us the achievements the country has accomplished over the last 50 years, which took diligence and hard work in building the nation,” said Nayef Al Senani from the Governorate of North Al Batinah.

To honour this occasion, on which children and adults both wear traditional dresses, some Omani painters also created portraits of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said bin Taimour, as well as the current ruler of the country, His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik.

Photo: Courtesy Mohammed Al Ruzaiqi

Explaining the role women played in the development of modern Oman, Nawal Al Badi from Wilayat Sohar said, “Omani women played a very important part in the Omani Renaissance over the past 50 years. The late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said bin Taimour took efforts to ensure women held a prominent and important role in society.

“His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik has continued on the same lines, giving women his great interest in participating in development, so that the wheel of progress continues to turn at all levels, so that we may be successful locally and respected internationally.”

Photo: Courtesy Yusra Al Amri