Oman Celebrates 42nd National Day

In 749, the tribes of Oman chose an imam, a Muslim spiritual leader, marking its first ruler after the influx of Islam into the region. While outside forces from Iran and areas applied temporary pressure to the people of Oman, the people remained relatively independent until 1507.
The Portuguese demonstrated their formidable naval tactics and superior technology to take control of the ports of Muscat and Sohar, and then rest of the coast of Oman in 1507. The Portuguese saw the ports along the coast of Oman as valuable stopping and trading points in their Indian spice trade routes.
This lucrative trading activity raised the eyes of both Britain and Dutch. Unsatisfied with the Portuguese exploitation of resources in Oman, the Al-Ya’ribi clan wooed the British East India Company in 1646. Under an agreed treaty, British merchants were guaranteed legal and religious rights while operating in the Oman’s domain, effectively weakening the influence of Portugal in the region.
On November 18, 1650, Imam Sultan Bin Saif and others led an uprising that effectively expelled Portugal from Oman and its ports. As independence has been a staple since, Oman is generally recognized as being the longest continually independent Arab state in modern history.
The Sultanate is one of the six member countries of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council. It has historical, traditional and cultural ties with the other five GCC members - the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The GCC States are bound by common interests such as commerce, defence, stability, unity, security and prosperity.
Every year, the six leaders meet in one of the Gulf States' capitals to discuss and chalk out plans aimed at benefiting the people of their countries. The thrust of their summit talks is common interest, prosperity, security and stability of the Gulf States.
The Sultanate extends its friendly hand whoever seeks it. Otherwise it would not have been possible to have diplomatic ties with almost all countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and Americas. The cornerstone of its international diplomatic efforts is the belief that it is essential to maintain dialogue with other countries and contacts with other people to understand each other and to enhance co-operation in all possible fields for mutual benefit.
This belief stems from the Sultanate's conviction that the purpose of policy should always be to serve humanity, regardless of cultural, ethnic or religious differences. Besides establishing cordial relations with a number of countries, the Sultanate has also joined innumerable global and regional organisations that promote cooperation, culture, tourism, trade and commerce, education and social services, etc.
Oman’s policies are resilient enough to readjust to the changing geo-political global situations and the country lays a great deal of emphasis on international cooperation as it believes through cooperation alone the world could grow and march towards a peaceful era.
On Sunday, people celebrate both Oman’s independence from the Portuguese and the sultan’s birthday on November 18. Fireworks displays, images of the sultan, and Oman’s flag can be seen during celebrations that focus on the progress the current sultan, Qaboos bin Said, has made for the people of Oman.