Omanis who have foreign partners are embracing the recent legislation that permits them to marry non-nationals, marking the end of a thirty-year prohibition that was lifted earlier this month.
The legislation introduced in 1983 that prohibited Omanis from marrying foreigners has been changed by a decree from His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. This news has brought immense joy to many Omanis who have been eagerly waiting for this moment. Salim Abdulaziz, a 34-year-old civil engineer, described the announcement as a beacon of hope in his life. He vividly recalls the night when he received a call from a friend informing him about the Royal Decree. At that moment, it felt as if a full moon had emerged from the darkness, illuminating his path and dispelling his misery.
During his time at the University of Portsmouth in England, Salim had faced numerous rejections in his pursuit of marrying his English sweetheart. However, he is not alone in his journey towards matrimony. Khalifa Mansoor, a 35-year-old businessman, recently purchased a diamond ring as part of his proposal to his Jordanian beloved. After a seven-year wait, Khalifa's patience has finally paid off, and he is overjoyed to be marrying his princess from Jordan. The couple has planned two weddings, one in Oman and the other in Jordan, scheduled for July this year.
The new decree has also brought happiness to Omani women who have longed to tie the knot with their loved ones. Fatma Salim, a 37-year-old medical doctor, expressed her delight at being able to finally have her "forbidden apple." For more than a decade, she had been unable to marry the man she loves. Now, with the ban lifted, she not only has the opportunity to marry him but also to enjoy a life together. Her fiancé, a 40-year-old Egyptian medical doctor, shares her excitement. Both of them work in a government hospital in Muscat and are eagerly looking forward to their future together.
Dr Faheem Hafez expressed his heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik for the compassionate and benevolent decree that has finally allowed his marriage to take place after a prolonged and distressing wait.
The decision to lift the ban has been widely praised by marriage counselors, who commend His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik for his commitment to promoting humanitarian values within the country.
Suhaila Khalfan also expressed her deep admiration for His Majesty the Sultan, acknowledging the significant humanitarian stride he has taken to bring happiness to numerous Omanis by legalizing their partnerships with foreign nationals.
