Sultan Qaboos bin Said was born in Salalah in Dhofar on 18th November, 1940, the only son of Sultan Said bin Taimur (1932-1970) and the eighth direct descendant of the royal Al Busaidi line, founded in 1744 by Imam Ahmed bin Said. Sultan Qaboos has received his primary and secondary education in Salalah, and When he reached the age of 16, his father sent him to a private educational establishment in England. At the age of 20, he entered the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. After passing out of Sandhurst, he joined a British Infantry battalion on operations in Germany for one year and also held a staff appointment with the Britis h Army. After his military service, Sultan Qaboos studied local government subjects in England and, after a world tour, returned home to Salalah where he studied Islam and the history of his country. Upon his accession to the throne on 23 July 1970, he moved to Muscat where he declared that the country would no longer be known as 'Muscat and Oman', but would be united as the 'Sultanate of Oman'. Since this time, Sultan Qaboos has faced many obstacles, not least than when he came to power. Oman today has an excellent health service, a clear road network and many educational establishments for girls and boys, from nursery levels, to university degrees. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has described his situation thus:"I am working for Oman - the country and its people...for me it is a delight to see my country and my people in the situation I imagined from the very first day I assumed power. I feel that I am a man with a mission rather than a man with authority.".
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Saturday, June 27, 2009
History of Oman
Like Yemen to the southwest, the territory of Oman has always benefited from its fine trading position at the southern extremity of the Arabian peninsula. From here merchants, without needing to sail far from land, can make easy contact with Persia to the north, India to the east and Africa to the south. This stretch of coast, together with that of Muscat just round the corner, is valuable territory. From the 6th century BC until the arrival of Islam, some 1200 years later, both Muscat and Oman are under the control either of the Persian empire or of rulers from neighbouring Yemen. In the 7th century AD, like the rest of Arabia, they acquire new masters - the caliphs of Medina.
pfz However it is only another century before Muscat and Oman evolve their own local system. From 751 they choose imams to rule the region as spiritual leaders. This elective theocracy lasts for the surprisingly long span of four centuries - until 1154, when Banu Nabhan suceeds in establishing a dynasty of hereditary kings. The Nabhanite dynasty maintains itself in power for three centuries, until in 1429 its authority is again challenged by an elected imam. The struggle between imam and hereditary king or sultan becomes from this time a feature of Omani history. pga From the early 16th century there is a third contender on the scene - the Portuguese, opening up their trade route to India. In 1507 Portuguese vessels enter the Gulf of Oman. They sack the town of Muscat and establish control of the neighbouring region. This control is strengthened after 1514, when they capture the island of Hormuz and plant a permanent garrison there. For the rest of this century the Portuguese are the strongest sea power from the Gulf of Oman to the southern tip of Africa. But by the mid-17th century the Omanis are in a position to fight back. The imam Sultan bin Saif recaptures Muscat from the Portuguese in 1650. His son, Saif bin Sultan, is ready to extend the conflict down the African coast.
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pfz However it is only another century before Muscat and Oman evolve their own local system. From 751 they choose imams to rule the region as spiritual leaders. This elective theocracy lasts for the surprisingly long span of four centuries - until 1154, when Banu Nabhan suceeds in establishing a dynasty of hereditary kings. The Nabhanite dynasty maintains itself in power for three centuries, until in 1429 its authority is again challenged by an elected imam. The struggle between imam and hereditary king or sultan becomes from this time a feature of Omani history. pga From the early 16th century there is a third contender on the scene - the Portuguese, opening up their trade route to India. In 1507 Portuguese vessels enter the Gulf of Oman. They sack the town of Muscat and establish control of the neighbouring region. This control is strengthened after 1514, when they capture the island of Hormuz and plant a permanent garrison there. For the rest of this century the Portuguese are the strongest sea power from the Gulf of Oman to the southern tip of Africa. But by the mid-17th century the Omanis are in a position to fight back. The imam Sultan bin Saif recaptures Muscat from the Portuguese in 1650. His son, Saif bin Sultan, is ready to extend the conflict down the African coast.
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Muscat
Muscat is the capital and largest city of oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat. As of 2008, the population of the Muscat metropolitan area was 1,090,797[1]. The metropolitan area spans approximately 1500 km² and includes six wilayats. Known since the early 1st century CE as an important trading port between the west and the east, Muscat was ruled by various indigenous tribes as well as foreign powers such as the and the Portuguese Empire at various points in its history. A regional military power in the 18th century, Muscat's influence extended as far as East Africa and Zanzibar. As an important port-town in the Gulf of Oman, Muscat attracted foreign tradesmen and settlers such as the Persians, the Balochis and Gujaratis. Since the ascension of Qaboos bin Said as Sultan of Oman in 1970, Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructural development that has led to the growth of a vibrant economy and a multi-ethnic society.
The rocky Western Al Hajar Mountains dominate the landscape of Muscat. The city lies on the Arabian Sea along the Gulf of Oman and is in the proximity of the strategic Straits of Hormuz. Low-lying white buildings typify most of Muscat's urban landscape, while the port-district of Muttrah, with its corniche and harbour, form the north-eastern periphery of the city. Muscat's economy is dominated by trade, petroleum and porting
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The rocky Western Al Hajar Mountains dominate the landscape of Muscat. The city lies on the Arabian Sea along the Gulf of Oman and is in the proximity of the strategic Straits of Hormuz. Low-lying white buildings typify most of Muscat's urban landscape, while the port-district of Muttrah, with its corniche and harbour, form the north-eastern periphery of the city. Muscat's economy is dominated by trade, petroleum and porting
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