Honouring the past, trusting the present

The disposition of the past week in Oman felt deeply personal as much as it was national. It was not only a period of remembrance, but also a moment of reaffirmation: of leadership, direction and collective purpose. While the memory of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was respectfully present, the week was ultimately about the Oman of today under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.
The late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos remains an enduring reference point in Omani consciousness. As the founder of the modern state, his legacy of stability, unity and peaceful diplomacy continues to inform national identity. Remembering him this week felt less like mourning and more like acknowledgement — recognition of a foundation firmly laid. Yet what stood out most was how naturally this remembrance coexisted with confidence in the present leadership, signalling a mature national transition rather than a nostalgic pause.
That confidence is anchored in His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s clear and deliberate approach to governance since ascending the throne in 2020. His leadership has been marked by successful structural reform and long-term planning, most notably through the implementation of Oman Vision 2040. Unlike celebratory rhetoric, Vision 2040 is pragmatic in tone: It prioritises economic diversification, fiscal sustainability, education reform, digital transformation, inclusion, social responsibility and institutional efficiency. Over the past few years, Omanis have witnessed tangible changes — from the restructuring of government bodies and ministries to renewed emphasis on accountability, productivity and measurable outcomes.
What makes the current leadership resonate, at least for me, is its calm rationality. There is a noticeable shift towards systems rather than symbolism, towards policies that endure beyond moments. Youth employment initiatives, investment in logistics and renewable energy, efforts to represent and support all sectors of society, including those with disabilities, and modernise education reflect an understanding that national dignity today depends on economic resilience tomorrow. This week’s atmosphere reflected that understanding: loyalty rooted not in emotion alone, but in trust (and hard work).
Equally striking was the growing public presence of Her Highness The Honourable Lady Assayida Ahd Abdullah Hamed al Busaidi, Spouse of the Sultan of Oman, whose role has introduced a new and meaningful dimension to public life. Her participation in key national events — particularly the inauguration of a hospital in Musandam — was deeply symbolic. Healthcare is not only a service; it is a measure of how a nation values its people. Seeing the Honourable Lady engage directly with such initiatives reinforced a message of compassion grounded in action, not ceremony.
Personally, her visibility matters. As an Omani woman, I found her presence and communication quietly affirming: Women belong in spaces of influence, care and national responsibility. By honouring individuals who have served society and highlighting contributions often made away from the spotlight, she helped elevate values of service, humility and social responsibility — values Oman urgently needs as it navigates change.
What this past week ultimately revealed is a nation comfortable with continuity yet unafraid of renewal. The late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos is remembered with gratitude. His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik is celebrated because he exercises power with clarity, care and efficiency. And the Honourable Lady’s role signals an evolving social imagination — one that sees leadership as relational, ethical and inclusive.
The strength of Oman lies precisely here: in the ability to honour its past without being trapped by it, to embrace reform without losing itself. This week reminded me that nationhood is not built through grand gestures alone, but through steady leadership, institutional care and a shared belief that the bright future is something we are actively shaping — together.