Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik delivered a Royal address commemorating the 11th of January, marking the anniversary of his ascension to power in the Sultanate of Oman.
The address states:
In the name of Allah, the Almighty, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. May prayers and peace be upon His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad, the Most Honorable of All Creations, along with his family, companions, and all who follow their righteous path until the Day of Judgment.
Esteemed citizens,
May the peace and blessings of Allah, the Almighty, be upon you.
It is with great joy that we gather to celebrate, on this momentous day, the significant achievements realized in our cherished nation over the past five years of our Renewed Renaissance, made possible by the grace of Allah, the Almighty, and your dedicated efforts.
The Almighty has granted this nation innumerable blessings, as highlighted in the Holy Quran: “And if you count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” In recognition of these gifts, it is our duty to safeguard and cherish them. Among these blessings, security and safety stand paramount. A nation cannot thrive without these essential elements, nor can it attain stability and prosperity in their absence.
Throughout history, the citizens of this beloved nation have demonstrated unwavering unity, resembling a robust structure, and have advanced with wisdom rooted in a spirit of tolerance, shunning fanaticism and steering clear of any divisive distractions that could weaken our resolve. They remain committed to the principles that unite them in genuine faith, actively engaging in good deeds and steadfastly contributing to the development of our homeland and nation.
Loyal citizens of Oman
Our beloved nation has maintained its identity as an independent sovereign state throughout history. Various forms of governance have emerged, each contributing to our civilization and leaving a significant mark. On this momentous occasion, we reflect on the remarkable leaders of Oman who have shaped our past, raised the banner of our nation, united our people, safeguarded our territory, and defended our independence. We commit to following their path, vowing to the Almighty that our steadfast resolve will not waver, nor will any interest take precedence over the welfare of our nation—supported by the divine grace of the Almighty and the blessings of His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad.
It is also our honor to declare that, in tribute to our ancestors, the Sultans, and in commemoration of a significant day in Oman's illustrious history, the 20th of November will henceforth be celebrated as a national day for the Sultanate of Oman. This date marks the beginning of the Al Busaidi family's service to our cherished country in 1744, under the leadership of the founding Imam, Sayyid Ahmed bin Said Al Busaidi, who unified the Omani people and led their struggle for complete autonomy, ensuring the freedom and dignity of our honorable citizens. Following Imam Sayyid Ahmed, several esteemed Sultans carried forth the nation's banner with courage and skill, continuing the victorious journey with unwavering determination.
Our observance of this day serves to immortalize the noble contributions of these Sultans. It reaffirms our dedication to the principles and values that are the foundation of our Omani identity. We pledge to uphold our unity and solidarity, remain vigilant in protecting our interests, and reject any encroachment upon our core principles or sacred values.
Dear Citizens,
In recent years, we have witnessed the introduction of Oman Vision 2040, a collective aspiration of all Omanis that outlines a clear trajectory for our future. With the blessings of the Almighty, we have made significant strides toward achieving the objectives of this phase of the Renewed Renaissance, reflected in numerous national and international indicators. This progress has been made possible through the unwavering solidarity and support of our citizens towards the government's initiatives.
With God's guidance, we are committed to sustaining this momentum in the years ahead, enhancing the quality and efficiency of services that our citizens desire. This will empower them to actively participate in the development of a public service system that we envision as a cornerstone of governmental excellence and a key driver of competitiveness.
We have prioritized ensuring that this advancement is accompanied by the expansion of infrastructure services, healthcare, and educational facilities, alongside the creation of integrated cities and significant investment projects as financial resources permit. Additionally, we have established a local administration framework designed to expedite the development of our governorates, fostering a robust economic foundation and cultivating a comprehensive partnership with the community.
While we celebrate the development projects and the economic and social progress achieved in these governorates, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering them further by providing additional authority and support across various sectors, enabling them to emerge as economic hubs that will propel the nation's growth.
We have implemented a robust social protection framework initiated by our government, with provisions for regular reviews of its mechanisms and programs to ensure that all citizens can lead a dignified life and attain justice.
In recent times, we have closely monitored the government's initiatives aimed at harnessing the potential of our youth, facilitating their entry into various fields of employment and encouraging their success. We have directed state institutions to reassess the employment system, ensuring it aligns with the capabilities of our economic and social sectors. Additionally, we have tasked the government with the responsibility of synchronizing the nation’s economic development pathways with the educational and training systems to meet the aspirations of young people, while also preparing them for suitable employment opportunities that will benefit both their present and future.
Recognizing that a conducive investment and commercial environment is essential for national development, we have instructed the government to enhance incentives, offer competitive advantages, and create a supportive atmosphere for investments. This approach aims to facilitate business operations, diversify our national economy, achieve sustainable growth, and generate more job opportunities across various economic and service sectors, positioning the country as an attractive destination for investment and enhancing its integration into the global economic landscape.
To facilitate this integration, our government has focused on developing an extensive network of ports, free zones, special economic zones, and integrated industrial zones. Furthermore, we have provided support for innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, as well as investment funds, including both national and collaborative funds with Arab and friendly nations.
Dear Citizens,
Our understanding of both local and global challenges, along with our awareness of the complexities of conflicts and interests worldwide, enhances our capacity to address these issues. We view these challenges as opportunities to implement effective policies aimed at fostering peace, advancing economic development, and establishing strategic partnerships rooted in economic cooperation and integration, all while adhering to our core principles and national interests.
In this light, we urge all nations to come together in the pursuit of a world founded on the principles of humanity and justice. This is a world that honors the sanctity of each nation, respecting its identity, religion, beliefs, and moral values—a world where human dignity is upheld and human rights are assured. It is essential that our youth grow in an environment that balances their spiritual needs with material aspirations. Only then can we provide comprehensive support and ongoing attention to our children and young people.
We are committed to enhancing governmental initiatives and programs that safeguard our moral and ethical heritage. We advocate for large-scale governmental and community efforts that empower future generations to draw inspiration from our national legacy, embrace its principles, and uphold our moral framework.
We also encourage young individuals to collaborate, unite, and establish a strong foundation for success, progress, and leadership. They should leverage modern technologies to enhance their skills and engage in knowledge exchange.
Loyal citizens of Oman
Our ancestors faced numerous challenges, yet they never allowed these obstacles to deter their efforts in establishing a state that is recognized globally as sovereign and innovative. Their resilience serves as a source of inspiration for us as we continue the journey of nation-building, drawing from our rich civilizational heritage to elevate this remarkable country to the esteemed position it rightfully deserves.
In conclusion, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who contribute to the development of this great nation across various sectors and fields. We also take this opportunity to honor and thank those who serve in the noble arenas of valor within the military and security sectors.
May Allah the Almighty safeguard Oman, protect its devoted citizens, grant them abundant blessings and prosperity, and guide us towards success.
