Sultan Qaboos remembered on Oman national day
Oman celebrated its 51st national day on Thursday, as congratulations poured in from around the world.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, posted a congratulatory message to the people of Oman, along with a song dedicated to the country.
Kuwait lit up its famous towers with the Omani flag on Wednesday evening, while the UAE said it was hosting several events to mark the occasion.
People also took the opportunity to remember Sultan Qaboos, who died in January last year.
Social media users posted images of decorations commemorating the former leader who had ruled the country for 50 years.
Others shared an illustration of Sultan Qaboos symbolically passing the mantle to Sultan Haitham.
“In the most poignant expressions of love: You have the world and we have the memories of Qaboos,” one social media user wrote, accompanied by an image of that message displayed on a vehicle.
“He will be in our hearts forever,” another person wrote, alongside an image of Sultan Qaboos.
Before the country’s 51st anniversary, Sultan Haitham pardoned 328 prisoners, including 107 foreigners, Oman’s state news agency said.
In a slight change to its usual national day celebrations, Oman did not have illuminated street decorations this year.
The government is focusing on investing to create jobs for citizens, due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Keeping up with its annual tradition, Google created a doodle for the occasion.
This year’s tribute featured the Omani flag flapping in the wind with a blue sky and clouds in the background.
Fireworks were expected to be set off in the Muscat governorate on Thursday and in Dhofar on Friday, Oman’s state news agency said.
Sultan Haitham attended a military parade in the capital on Thursday, it said.
The day is considered a national holiday for public and private organisations, to allow citizens and residents to celebrate and exchange congratulations.
Oman is sometimes called “the Switzerland of the Middle East” because of its often neutral position in political conflicts and ability to broker peace between clashing nations and interests.
Social media users posted images of decorations commemorating the former leader