What has changed in Oman's national flag, emblem and anthem law?

Published: 09:11 AM,Nov 01,2026 | EDITED : 01:11 PM,Nov 01,2026

The Royal Decree 99/2026 issued last week amended certain provisions of the State Flag, Emblem and National Anthem Law of 2004, which included provisions related to the protection of national symbols, the cases in which the national anthem may be performed, in addition to updating the official specifications and standards of the flag and replacing the approved drawing of the state emblem.

Penalty

The decree stipulates a prison sentence of no less than three months and no more than three years for anyone who intentionally insults the flag or the emblem—whether by lowering it, damaging it, or through any other act expressing hatred or contempt.

The decree, published in Issue 1672 of the Official Gazette on November 1, 2026, applies the same penalty to anyone who intentionally insults the national anthem—whether verbally, in writing, through gestures, by altering it, or via any other act expressing hatred or contempt.

National Anthem

The new amendment allows to perform the anthem in places and occasions other than the cases previously determined, provided that a decision to determine them is issued by the competent authority after the approval of the Council of Ministers.

Flag

The official specifications for the flag dictate that it must be rectangular in shape, featuring a vertical red band along the hoist (the side attached to the flagpole) that bears the state emblem in white within its upper quarter.

The remainder of the flag consists of three horizontal bands: white at the top, red in the middle, and green at the bottom. The official dimensions of the flag and the materials to be used in its production are to be determined by the competent authority.

The amendments stipulate that the competent authority shall, by way of a formal decision, define any flag dimensions not explicitly specified in the law, as well as the dimensions for flags intended for display on poles and the locations where such poles may be erected. The decree shall take effect from November 2, 2026, following its publication in the Official Gazette.

Previously, the law specified certain types of fabric and colors, while the new annex assigned the competent authority to determine the materials of colors and fabrics used in the manufacture of the flag, as well as the determination of other dimensions that are not stipulated, and the sizes of mast flags and the places where they are installed.

The new decree also included the replacement of Appendix No. 2 on the emblem of the state, which had included the official drawing of the emblem since the law was issued in 2004.

The logo or the emblem in the previous version appears in a light color drawing, while the new supplement presents a red graphic that illustrates the motifs and details that make up the dagger and sword.