The Sultan is Qaboos bin Said who started ruling the Sultanate of Oman since the 23rd of July 1970. He was born on 18th of November 1940 and received his basic education in Oman then moved to England to complete his education there. He joined Royal Sand
Hurst Academy for military sciences.
In 1970, Sultan Qaboos ruled the country and made radical changes, where he set up the foundations of the country and started the construction of the current Oman. His opinions and decisions are taken
wisely towards the welfare of the country and its people. More information on this topic is available in Qaboos Oman website
In 1970, Oman had little physical or administrative infrastructure, and Sultan Qaboos faced the formidable task of turning a backward, impoverished country into a powerful modern state. A communist-backed uprising had erupted in Oman’s southern
Dhofar province, and was keeping the small, poorly equipped army fully engaged.
Oman had begun to exploit its oil reserves in the late 1960s but had achieved little development in other sectors. Oman’s health services, education,
housing and communications were basic at best. Sultan Qaboos rallied his troops to defeat the insurgents and then launched a drive to unify and modernise the country. When the Sultan marked his 30th anniversary in 2000, he also celebrated the creation
of a prosperous and stable modern state that was ready to face the challenges of a new millennium.
Having been transformed into a modern state in just thirty years, Oman’s next challenge is to replace public sector growth with an
expanding private sector to enhance future progress and prosperity.In 1996, Oman passed the Basic Law of the State, containing more than 80 articles to clarify every aspect of the state apparatus and to address the fundamental rights and duties of
the Omani citizen.
The Basic Law guarantees the equality of all citizens before the law, freedom of religion and of speech, a free press, the right to a fair trial and the right to create national associations. It lays down a legal framework
for all future legislation and, as Sultan Qaboos has no children, clarifies the rules of succession.
Article Five asserts that the system of government is a monarchy and that the royal line comprises the male descendants of SayyidTurki
bin Said bin Sultan, Sultan Qaboos’ great-great-grandfather. It stipulates that the successor to the throne shall be a Muslim of sound mind and the legitimate son of Omani Muslim parentage. The rules of succession decree that the ruling family
council will choose Sultan Qaboos’ successor within three days of the throne falling vacant. Only if the ruling family council fails to reach a consensus will the Defence Council open the letter written by His Majesty naming his choice of successor.
The Sultan's visionary and strong-willed leadership, together with the human resources represented by the people of Oman, has resulted in a sense of individual responsibility and duty towards the country's growth. The concept of shared decision-making
and national development by the people and the government has always been evident in His Majesty’s political thinking.
To further this concept, Oman’s population, both male and female, has been provided with full access
to education and economic, social and cultural developments, with the Basic Law of the State ensuring the freedom and rights of all citizens. An enlightened system of open meetings at the state level ensures that popular participation is promoted
and feelings of social cohesion and loyalty generated.
In November 2002 the right to vote was granted to every Omani citizen, both male and female, over the age of twenty-one years.. All Omani citizens are thus able to vote in the 4th
October 2003 elections for the Majlis al Shura’s (Consultation Council) fifth term (2004-2007). In another development, the Supreme Court was created in February 2003. Omani women are increasingly being appointed to Government positions,
and the country has leaped in to the modern era in several frontiers.
Source: Ministry Of Foreign Affairs