Oman to mark 51st national day with pared-down celebrations
▶ Government says its focus for the future is on slashing spending and creating jobs
Oman’s National Day celebrations will be subdued for the second year running, as the government continues to cut spending to create thousands of jobs for its citizens.
In the days leading up to the holiday, observed today, Omani flags flew in streets throughout the country, but the colourful lights usually on show to mark the occasion were few.
Like last year, no singers or international entertainers have flown in to perform, though firework displays will still be held in the capital, Muscat, and the major cities of Salalah and Sohar.
While festivities were muted after the death of the country’s former ruler, Sultan Qaboos, in January last year, and the coronavirus pandemic curtailed large gatherings, commentators told The National neither of these factors was behind the muted fanfare. Instead, they said, the government’s focus on resuscitating the country’s economy and creating jobs was the reason the celebrations had been pared back.
“The main focus, now, is to find jobs for thousands of our graduates, and that is the reason why the government is saving money.
“Though oil prices have rallied a bit this year, it does not mean we should waste money on extravagant celebrations,” said Qassim Al Kharusi, a former official in the Ministry of Finance.
Oman, which depends heavily on oil revenue, has benefited from the rise in international crude prices from $39 per barrel last year to about $80 per barrel currently.
Reducing the country’s budget deficit remains a higher priority for the government than celebrations, said Dr Dharmendra Singh, assistant professor of business at the Modern College of Business and Science in Muscat.
“Oman reported a budget deficit of 1.206 billion rials ($3.13bn) for the first seven months of this year. Obviously, it needs to settle this deficit and [large] celebrations will drain more money,” he told The National.
“Cost saving is a priority at the moment.”
In January, Oman’s Minister of Labour, Dr Mahad Baawain, said the government would create thousands of jobs for Omanis and that there were more than 65,000 jobseekers in the country.
Sultan Haitham, who took over from the late Sultan Qaboos, is expected to address the nation live on television today.
Mr Al Kharusi expects him to stress the need to cut back on spending, stem waste and boost revenue by diversifying the economy away from oil.
Since he became ruler in January last year, Sultan Haitham has introduced measures to boost revenue, including trimming down the civil ministries, introducing taxes and launching plans to raise money from bonds.
Though the government has cut back plans for the occasion, some Omanis want to stage their own celebrations today.
Many houses in Muscat are already lit up with lights in the red, white and green of Oman’s flag.
In Azaiba, an affluent area of Muscat, petroleum engineer Hamed Al Ojaili, 52, told The National he still intended to mark the occasion.
“I am planning to switch on the lights on the outside walls of my house to celebrate the 51st national day. I do that every year and I am not going to miss it this year,” he said.
Other Omanis said they were planning to perform folk music in their neighbourhoods.
“A group of us will have drums beating and traditional dances on the beach on the evening of November 18th. How can we stop marking it? We have celebrated the National Day for 50 years,” said grocery shop owner Mubarak Al Hadidi, 35, who lives in the coastal area of Seeb in Muscat.
Oman’s national day is celebrated on the birthday of Sultan Qaboos.
The country celebrates Renaissance Day on July 23, the date on which he succeeded his father to become the Ruler of Oman.
Some Omanis said they were planning to perform folk music in their neighbourhoods and to dance on the beach