Last week His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik was awarded the Prince Nayef Medal for Arab Security, excellent class, by the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. There is no surprise that the medal is the highest Arab decoration and badge of honour awarded to a great leader for his highly meritorious efforts in strengthening Arab peace and stability.
Over the last 50 years or so, Oman has maintained a state, which is not subject to change or fluctuation, of mutual concord with other peoples, governments and countries. This is due in part to the geopolitical position Oman occupies, but it must be emphasised that it is also due to the fact that the rulers of Oman descending from Al Busaid dynasty have at all times placed the interest, stability and prosperity of their country over any other considerations.
By nature, Omanis are famous for their social conduct governed by inherent rules of conduct as shown in the prevalent Omani customs. The manner in which Omanis conduct themselves is worth pausing to reflect on and commend. While they are well known for their moral integrity, Omanis conform to a standard of right behaviour characterised by principles of right and wrong. Omanis teach their children from early childhood the conception of right behaviour in which good morals, respect for others, truthfulness, transparency and sincerity in actions and speech are the main features of the code of conduct of the society. In Omani villages, children or neighbours do not encroach into the rights of others.
The award of this highest medal to His Majesty the Sultan is a formal acknowledgment of the great efforts towards maintaining peace within the Arab world and beyond. The whole world should stand in reverence and admiration for His Majesty who possesses wisdom and keenness and depth of perception, discernment, and discrimination especially in matters related to regional and international peace and stability.
What should also be acknowledged that His Majesty the Sultan draws his strength from the deep-rooted history and unwavering traditions of Al Busaid dynasty, a powerful family that maintains its position for a considerable time.
There is no doubt that His Majesty the Sultan deserves all the honour and esteem at a time it is regrettable to say that the Arab world does not have the political power nor does it exert the authority over many crucial issues, and at a time many Arab countries are confronted with violent internal conflicts and unfortunate disagreements with their fellow Arab countries.
His Majesty the Sultan’s strength and wisdom are rooted in a glorious past and an ancient legacy of Oman, passed on by the ancestors and predecessors. The medal comes as an assertion of the unwavering commitment on the part of His Majesty the Sultan to continue playing a crucial role in the maintenance of peace, unity and stability in the Arab world, earning the Arab and global respect.
The writer is Dean of Al Zahra College for Women
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