Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Arab world’s longest-serving ruler, who ruled for 49 years, passed way late on Friday, 10 January. The Royal court of Oman put out a statement this morning saying: “To the people of the beloved homeland in all its districts, to the Arab and Islamic nations and to the world at large. It is with hearts filled with faith in Allah and his Providence, and with great sorrow and deep sadness – yet with complete satisfaction and absolute submission to the will of the Almighty Allah, that the Diwan of Royal Court mourns His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, who passed away on Friday, the 14th of Jumada Al-Ula, the 10th of January 2020.”
Who Was Sultan Qaboos bin Said?
Sultan Qaboos bin Said was born November 18, 1940. A graduate from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England, he also served in the British army. He was known as a man who modernised Oman, and also developed schools, and hospitals. Qaboos was specially known for his diplomacy and mediation in the Middle East. He was also popular for maintaining strong ties with the Western countries. Former President George W. Bush described him as a “stable force in the Middle East and a strong US ally.”
What’s It?
Sultan Qaboos who was known to be ill for a while now, passed away on Friday, 10 January 2020. Reports suggest that Sultan was in Belgium for medical treatment last month as he was suffering from cancer. Oman is still in a state of shock and over thousands turned out for his funeral procession. The coffin was placed in the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, before he was buried in a family cemetery.
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed sent out a message of condolences to the people of Oman, saying: “Oman has lost a great and wise leader in Sultan Qaboos. A brother and companion of the late Sheikh Zayed. May God rest his soul.”
Sheikh Mohamed along with Kuwait’s Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Sabah, Bahrain’s King Hamad, Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi and other dignitaries arrived in Muscat to pay respects to Sultan Qaboos.
UK prime minister Boris Johnson expressed sadness at the sultan’s death, calling him an “exceptionally wise and respected leader”.
Several other rulers from various parts of the world, described his death as a massive loss for the region, voicing out hope that the new leader would take inspiration from the past. Undoubtedly, this was the day Oman dreaded at all times!
The UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed has also declared a three-day mourning period, from Saturday. During this period, the national flag will be half-mast at all government departments across the country. Meanwhile, hours after the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Oman’s Defence Council announced his cousin, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said as his successor.