Latest news with #SultanQaboos
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
The Power of Conviction in Foreign Policy: Oman's Case
In 2009, three U.S. hikers were detained in Iran on charges of espionage after allegedly crossing an unmarked border during a hike near the Iran-Iraq border in northern Iraq. Their release became a pivotal moment in initiating negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. After the first hiker, Sarah Shourd, was released, U.S. officials visited Oman in December 2010 to explore whether the late Sultan Qaboos could help facilitate talks between the two nations. Shortly thereafter, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with the late Sultan, and President Obama conveyed a request for his assistance in engaging Iran. In 2011, the remaining two hikers, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, were also released—on both occasions, the Americans were transported from Iran to Oman. The secret talks that ultimately led to the Iran nuclear deal involved direct engagement at the highest levels of leadership. In a 2015 speech, Ayatollah Khamenei revealed that Sultan Qaboos had acted as an intermediary after the U.S. President reached out to him to help resolve the nuclear issue and lift sanctions. Despite initial Iranian skepticism, Sultan Qaboos asked them to reconsider, and his trusted counsel helped lay the foundation for renewed U.S.-Iranian dialogue. Oman's diplomacy was once again brought into focus. Its consistent efforts had earned it the credibility to act as a trusted intermediary between two adversaries — a status built over decades of sincere and principled engagement in pursuit of regional and global peace. That trust led to the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015 — a major diplomatic breakthrough between Iran and the West. But it was short-lived. In 2018, President Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal and re-imposed sanctions. Now, more than a decade after Oman helped initiate those talks, and during President Trump's second term, the Sultanate once again served as an intermediary between the two sides. The first round of renewed talks took place on April 12, 2025, in Muscat. A White House statement described the discussions as 'very positive and constructive,' thanking Oman for its support and noting that Special Envoy Witkoff conveyed President Trump's instructions to resolve differences 'through dialogue and diplomacy, if that is possible.' Since April, five rounds of U.S.–Iran nuclear talks have taken place between Muscat and Rome. The sixth round was scheduled for June 15 in Muscat, but Iran subsequently withdrew after Israeli attacks on Iranian territory began on June 13. President Trump later confirmed that the U.S. was aware of the planned Israeli attacks. He remarked that the day of the attacks marked Day 61 — just one day after the expiration of a 60-day ultimatum given to Iran to accept the U.S.-proposed framework. Describing the attacks as 'very successful,' the President added that Iran should have accepted the deal while there was still time. Iranian officials, however, had made it clear from the start that negotiations could not continue under pressure. These attacks underscore a familiar pattern: unilateral actions that undermine diplomatic efforts. Even as talks were underway, Israel targeted the very subject of those discussions – with the knowledge of the U.S., a direct party in these talks. This not only jeopardized the integrity of the negotiations but also signaled a disregard for the value of diplomacy, as opposed to military attacks that result in the death of innocents. The implicit message — that failure to meet a deadline could lead to deadly consequences — represents a disturbing distortion of what diplomacy is meant to achieve. Israel's connection to the nuclear negotiations is rooted in its close alignment with U.S. foreign policy. This became especially evident in May 2023, when the current U.S. Ambassador to Oman stated during a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: 'I will encourage Oman to build on its announcement permitting Israeli civilian overflights through its airspace by taking additional steps, including consideration of full normalization with Israel.' While ambassadors are expected to strengthen bilateral ties between their countries and the countries to which they are assigned, this position appeared to prioritize the interests of a third party — Israel — overlooking Oman's avowed principles in this case, which are non-negotiable. As with its diplomatic outreach to Iran, the United States – along with other countries – has also turned to the Sultanate's good offices to help secure the release of its citizens in other countries. Shane Bauer, one of the three hikers detained in 2009, later wrote that Oman was 'the country most responsible for our eventual release.' The Sultanate has also played a key role in facilitating the release of American detainees in Yemen on multiple occasions. From these examples, it is evident that Oman has a track record — built over decades — of being an 'honest broker,' facilitating talks and mediating disputes when requested. Despite the various challenges, the Sultanate has consistently demonstrated its resolve to assist its friends whenever possible and to find viable solutions to conflicts through patient and respectful dialogue. Oman is proud of its history of friendship with the United States, first formalized almost two hundred years ago by a Treaty of Amity and Commerce. While the Sultanate seeks to strengthen its strategic relationship with the U.S. and all its friends, the undermining of sovereignty and diplomacy can only sabotage the prospects for real peace. Oman offers a model for diplomacy rooted in integrity — not pressure, not coercion, but conviction. As the Sultanate strives toward making the world a better place, where all can live in peace and security, a nation's steadfast commitment to its moral principles in trying times is absolutely vital for the world's well-being. And today, Oman's commitment to peace, grounded in justice, respect for sovereignty, and self-determination, is more essential to the world than ever.
Observer
4 days ago
- General
- Observer
Mango Festival in Al Awabi highlights heritage
AL AWABI: The first edition of the Al Awabi Mangos Festival concluded in Al Alia village in the Wilayat of Al Awabi, Al Batinah South Governorate, on Saturday. The festival was organised by the Office of the Governor of Al Batinah South Governorate, in collaboration with several local institutions and farmers. The festival aimed to highlight the Omani mango tree and promote it as an agricultural heritage that represents an integral part of the village and region's identity. It also highlighted the agricultural importance and status of the mango tree in the community. Al Alia village is well-known for its abundant produce of high-quality mango varieties. Mango is a prolific fruit-bearing tree distinguished by its sweet, juicy flesh and rich flavour which placed it among the most-consumed highly-demanded fruits. The festival included a variety of cultural, agricultural and entertainment activities which appealed to various segments of society. Most notable among these were the market corner, which showcased local agricultural products and traditional handicrafts; the rural entrepreneurship corner, which showcased youth initiatives and projects; the small farmer corner, which taught children the principles and importance of agriculture and the interactive theatre corner, which hosted cultural, artistic and entertainment segments. The festival also included an awareness lecture on mango cultivation and care methods, an experience of picking the fruit directly from the trees, tours to explore the landmarks of Al Alia village and entertainment competitions. Mango Festival in Al Awabi highlights heritage Oman's commitment to mango cultivation is further reflected in a comprehensive scientific encyclopedia on the mango tree, considered the first of its kind globally. Commissioned in 2005 under the royal directives of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the encyclopedia took nearly a decade to complete and was launched in 2016 in Arabic, English, French and Spanish, with an electronic version also available for global access. This encyclopedia documents mango cultivation in 65 countries and serves as a vital scientific reference for protecting Omani mango varieties, combating agricultural pests and mitigating the effects of salinity on production. Historically, mango cultivation dates back around 6,000 years in South Asia and was introduced to Oman through ancient trade routes during the 10th century AD. Today, mango ranks as the fourth most important fruit crop in the Sultanate of Oman, after date palms, citrus fruits and bananas, with popular local varieties including Al Halkoom and Banana Stick. By celebrating this beloved fruit, the festival strengthens community ties to agricultural heritage and highlights the importance of conserving rare local varieties for future generations. TEXT & PHOTOS BY YAHYA AL SALMANI
Times of Oman
04-06-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Nizwa: A landmark embodies religious, cultural significance of A'Dakhiliyah
Nizwa — Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Nizwa, A'Dakhiliyah Governorate, embodies the historical, religious, and cultural prominence of the wilayat, distinguished by its unique architectural character that reflects authentic Omani heritage. The mosque's architectural design, inaugurated on 18 September 2015, draws inspiration from the traditional style of A'Dakhiliyah Governorate, emphasizing simplicity in form and the optimal use of interior ornamentation. The mosque is distinguished by its four minarets, which lend it a distinctive charm, setting it apart from other mosques across various wilayats. The design also incorporates traditional materials and authentic Omani building colors, reinforcing the mosque's connection to the identity of the place. The mosque is located at the intersection of major roads linking Nizwa to Muscat, Salalah, and Bahla, within a new urban development plan underway in the city. Built on an 8,000-square-meter plot adjacent to Wadi Nizwa, it is clearly visible from all directions. The mosque's floor has been significantly elevated above ground level to protect it from floods and to highlight its prominent geographical location. The mosque's structure consists of a main prayer hall covering 3,546 square meters, with interior dimensions of 60 meters by 60 meters, accommodating approximately 4,500 worshippers. The main prayer hall is accessed via the qibla axis through a grand and spacious staircase and a covered courtyard. Four additional entrances allow entry from the garden to the north and south of the mosque, leading to the courtyard area adjacent to the hall via a large staircase. The covered courtyard and two open courtyards can serve as additional prayer spaces, surrounded by an arched wall enclosing ablution areas and shoe storage cabinets. The outdoor areas can accommodate around 5,300 worshippers as supplementary prayer spaces. The mosque includes a women's prayer hall with a capacity of 434, located on the ground floor and accessible separately through external courtyards and a lobby. All main facilities of the mosque are situated on the ground floor, elevated five meters above ground level, including ablution areas, offices, and auxiliary services. Meanwhile, all equipment is housed in the service floor above the main prayer hall. The mosque's architectural design features a 27-meter-diameter dome rising 55 meters above ground, flanked by four minarets, each standing 80 meters tall, marking the four corners of the main prayer hall. The exterior finishes of the prayer hall include side buttresses and parapets atop the building, all inspired by the region's prevailing architectural style. The main prayer hall is enclosed by a protective wall clad in stone, adorned with arched forms and enhanced with Quranic inscriptions and carvings. Inside, the main prayer hall rises about 14 meters, with the dome reaching approximately 40 meters in height. The interior is finished with decorative marble, ornamental plasterwork on walls, arched niches, and ceilings painted with specialized decorative pigments inspired by regional designs. The qibla wall is extensively decorated with marble, while the marble mihrab features intricate inlay and engraving work, including complex carvings, Quranic calligraphy, and geometric and floral patterns. The prayer hall's windows incorporate delicate layers of translucent marble and stained decorative glass. Sultan Qaboos Mosque Library in Nizwa stands as one of the mosque's most important facilities. Opened alongside the mosque under the supervision of the Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science, the library spans 277.50 square meters, designed across two floors around a glass-covered central courtyard. Additionally, it includes three Quran memorization classrooms built around a dedicated courtyard and a multi-purpose hall covering 306 square meters, equipped with fixed seating and audiovisual systems for instructional use. —— Ends/AH
Zawya
02-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman Vision 2040 is a blueprint for sustainable growth: World Bank
From digital corridors to investment pipelines, Oman Vision 2040 is transforming the present for a stronger future, and symbolizes yet another chapter of strategic evolution that has characterized the country from prehistoric Majan to modern Oman, said the World Bank in its blogs. "Developed through extensive consultations with citizens, Vision 2040 enshrines a diversified and resilient economy less reliant on oil while fostering a globally integrated and prosperous society. What began under the leadership of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, with the careful planning of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, is a roadmap charting how Oman can adapt to changing economic conditions, shifting culture, and disrupting technology to steer Oman toward economic diversification, sustainability, and global competitiveness. Oman's steady progress under Vision 2040 offers a model for other emerging economies navigating uncertainty through long-term planning. It further guides Oman's increased global engagement and partnership with organizations like the World Bank Group," the blog said. Oman and the World Bank Group have enjoyed an active partnership for decades. This has led to working together on a range of areas aligned to Vision 2040, from national development plans and budget system modernization to transport and fisheries. A key focus right now is strengthening the investment climate to support private sector-led growth and job creation. The World Bank is bringing global knowledge and advice on best practices in business environment reforms tailored to the Omani context. IFC, the Bank Group's private sector arm, recently announced new investments to bolster the country's sustainable finance market and empower the private sector. MIGA, home of the World Bank Group Guarantee Platform, secured $1.2 billion in commercial financing of the infrastructure works for the Duqm Special Economic Zone. Central to Oman Vision 2040 is the imperative of economic diversification and building a knowledge, technology-driven economy. In practice, this means investing in digital infrastructure, encouraging R&D, and nurturing new industries. Major regulatory reforms have been rolled out to catalyze private-sector growth and foreign investment. For example, a new Foreign Capital Investment Law took effect in 2020, removing minimum capital requirements and allowing 100% foreign ownership in many sectors. Attracting foreign direct investment and strengthening the private sector are key components of the Vision, and these reforms unlock those opportunities. Oman is also leveraging its strategic geography to become a logistics and trade hub. Positioned outside the Strait of Hormuz on major global trade routes, it has prioritized modernizing ports, free zones, and airports. The development of Duqm – a vast special economic zone with a deep-sea port – and upgrades at Salalah and Sohar ports exemplify this push. Such investments aim to streamline the flow of goods and make Oman a vital link in global supply chains. Already, early results of the economic transformation are visible: non-oil sectors like construction, manufacturing, and transport are growing quickly. Maintaining this momentum will require sustained reform, and Oman's multi-pronged approach – from startup incubators to industrial free zones – is steadily transforming the economy. Sustainable development is an overarching principle, and Oman's fisheries sector is a standout success story for this agenda. Fisheries have evolved from a traditional, artisanal industry into a technology-enabled sector that contributes to diversification. The government, with World Bank support, crafted a Fisheries and Aquaculture Vision to create a profitable world-class sector that is ecologically sustainable and a net contributor to Oman's economy. The innovation shown in the Omani sustainable fisheries sector is yielding impressive results. The sector is expanding at near double-digit rates, with a recorded 7.5 percent sectoral growth in the first three quarters of 2024. This progress reinforces the country's ambition for economic diversification by setting a high bar, with the sector aiming to reach 10 percent annual growth and contribute 2 percent to the national GDP. Developing human capital is another key element of Oman's vision. A skilled, educated populace is the bedrock of competitiveness. Educational reforms are underway to align curricula with future labor market needs and improve quality at all levels. Oman's ambition includes ranking among the top 20 countries in global education indices by 2030, and top 10 by 2040. Investments in schools and universities over the past decades have dramatically expanded access. Now the focus is on boosting outcomes in science, technology, engineering, and math to nurture a knowledge economy. Equally important, Oman is fostering a culture of research and entrepreneurship. Through its Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, new programs are funding research and the commercialization of ideas. Innovation parks and incubators have been launched in partnership with the private sector to mentor startups and turn student projects into marketable products. Aspiring young entrepreneurs receive support via financing initiatives and training programs, often co-sponsored by government and industry. Public-private partnerships are helping build this innovation ecosystem – for example, technology companies are collaborating with Omani colleges on coding academies, and energy firms are investing in technical training centers. These efforts are bearing fruit: a burgeoning startup scene is evident in Muscat, and the number of Omani tech SMEs is on the rise. In parallel, Oman has worked to make its labor market more flexible and dynamic, implementing new labor policies in 2023–24, adding more benefits for women, and encouraging private-sector hiring of Omanis. With 64% of the population under 30, all these measures aim to harness Oman's demographic dividend by equipping its youth with the skills and opportunities to innovate. To ensure the successful realization of Oman Vision 2040, a specialized entity—the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit—was established by Royal Decree 100/2020. Reporting directly to the Council of Ministers, the Unit plays a central role in monitoring the progress of the vision, facilitating coordination across sectors, addressing challenges, and providing strategic support to align efforts with the national vision. Looking forward to the next 15 years, there will be continued opportunities as well as challenges in realizing the vision. Successful implementation requires continued commitment, adaptability, and engagement with global partners. Oman's journey towards realizing its 2040 vision can serve as a valuable case study for other countries navigating uncertainties and striving for economic diversification, sustainability, and global integration. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Oman, Iran, launch commemorative stamp
Muscat: To coincide with the visit of Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to the Sultanate of Oman, Oman Post, in cooperation with the National Post of Iran, announced the launch of a joint commemorative stamp today at Al Alam Palace in Muscat. The joint stamp reflects the deep cultural and historical ties between Oman and Iran, and the two countries' shared commitment to a policy of good neighborliness, constructive cooperation, and cultural exchanges between peoples. The stamp's artistic design embodies a visual harmony between the two countries' architectural and cultural symbols. At its center is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, a prominent symbol of Omani Islamic architecture, framed by palm trees symbolizing Oman's resilience and deep-rooted agricultural heritage, which constitutes an integral part of the country's environmental and social identity. Opposite, the historic Bastak Mosque in southern Iran is framed by the cypress tree, a symbol of eternity in Persian visual culture and a testament to cultural stability and continuity. At the heart of the design is a hand-woven Persian carpet, inspired by the one in the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Handwoven in Iran's Khorasan Province and decorated with delicate floral motifs, it is a fine example of artisanal collaboration and a symbol of the diverse cultural ties between the two friendly countries and societies. Above this scene, the sun of renewal and hope for a prosperous future rises, symbolizing the two countries' aspirations for positive cooperation. A carrier pigeon soars above, a symbol of communication, peace, and harmony, carrying a continuous and renewed message of friendship and shared interests. Through this stamp, both sides affirmed their determination to enhance cooperation in the field of postal services, contributing to expanding promising areas of partnership with greater mutual benefits.
