The history of nations is not recorded solely in letters. Instead, it is written by the resolve of its people, the strength of its youth, the will of its leaders, and the unity of its citizens. The pages of history are woven with stories of glory and majesty, causing a nation's sun to rise — an entity endowed with foresight that has earned it a stature among nations and a position among states.
And when we contemplate the history of the modern Omani state, we find it is not simply a sequence of eras and ages. Instead, it is a continuous journey of remarkable development, interconnected unity, and deep wisdom. It began with the establishment of the Al Busaid State and has persisted to this day. With God's grace and support, it will endure through the ages and epochs, adopting a balanced approach that combines authenticity with modernity.
Anyone examining the historical origins of the Al Busaid State will discover that in the mid-eighteenth century, specifically in 1744 CE, Imam Ahmad bin Said emerged as a wise leader during a critical period marked by widespread unrest and division. He responded to the call of the homeland, rising with unwavering resolve. He unified the factions, expelled the Persians, and restored Oman's stability after years of fighting and fragmentation.
With wisdom and courage, Imam Ahmad bin Said established a strong, cohesive state, founded upon justice and consultation (shura) as its guiding principles and foundational reference. He built a central authority that restored the nation's prestige and dignity, the citizens’ sense of belonging and solidarity, and the land's firmness, security and stability. Thus, Oman became fortified against the storms of time and impervious to fragmentation and division.
And from that foundation, the modern Omani state emerged, built upon principles of unity and stability. It became an established entity and a cohesive body, balancing the security, social and economic empowerment of its domestic front with openness to the world and desired international cooperation. It made security and prosperity two sides of the same coin, embodying the meaning of a firmly rooted state, which paved the way for an era of achievements and a present that every Omani takes pride in.
This period yielded a multitude of accomplishments. The Al Busaid State was not merely a period of political unification, but a veritable age of civilisational achievement that left its enduring mark on regional and global history. Under the reign of Sultan Said bin Sultan (1806–1856), the state reached its zenith, with influence extending to the East African coast and resulting in numerous diplomatic and commercial agreements with major powers like the United States and France.
For over two centuries, the reign of Al Busaid State has embodied steadfastness and equilibrium. Through successive challenges, Oman has navigated with wisdom and composure, presenting a model of statecraft adept at adaptation while holding firm to its core principles.
From the heart of this enduring history, a new dawn broke with the rise of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos – may God bless his soul – who shouldered the immense responsibility of resurrecting a modern renaissance from the rubble of challenges.
With his enlightened mind, he illuminated the nation's path, transforming education into a torch, development into a goal, and the human being into both the axis and ultimate purpose. Under his banner, Oman emerged from isolation into openness, from stagnation into dynamism, and from fragmentation into unity.
During his reign, a modern infrastructure was realised, institutions were revitalised, and the foundations of a contemporary state — built upon law, citizenship, and equality — were firmly established, all while safeguarding national identity and heritage. He – may God have mercy on him – masterfully blended the wisdom of the ancestors with a vision for the future. Thus, Oman under his rule became an oasis of peace and stability, a model of coexistence and harmony to be emulated, until his chronicle became an immortal chapter in the annals of Omani glory.
Guided by this profound heritage and a present that thrives in unbroken continuity, Omanis celebrate this National Day not merely as a formal occasion, but as a profound, heartfelt event that reconnects them with their roots and unites them in their love for the homeland.
It is a day that renews the values of loyalty and devotion and evokes the legacy of the nation's leaders and founders, deepening within souls the meanings of belonging and pride.
And so, the era of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik affirms that the renaissance is not a fleeting event nor a closed chapter, but a continuous journey of construction and reform. Deeply rooted in the path of the founders from Al Busaid State, passing through the great figures in our nation's history, and culminating in the Sultan who remains eternally alive in the hearts of his people, the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos – may God bless his soul – the bearer of the torch of renewal and the standard of the modern renaissance.
Thus, contemporary leadership has continued the ways of its forebears in wisdom and moderation, followed in their footsteps of prudence and centrism, emulated their example in progress and development, and trodden their paths of sound judgement and balance — all while placing humanity as the axis and ultimate goal of development.
With this balanced approach, insightful journey, and upright path, Oman continues its active presence in the world. It contributes to building regional and international peace and security while steadfastly adhering to the values that have made it an oasis of stability, a destination of trust, and a paragon of wisdom.
With this balanced approach, insightful journey, and upright path, Oman continues its active presence in the world. It contributes to building regional and international peace and security while steadfastly adhering to the values that have made it an oasis of stability, a destination of trust, and a paragon of wisdom.
The national legacy is not merely a memory recounted on occasions, nor a history preserved in books and records. It is living roots that nourish the present, water its trees, and cause the fruits of the future to grow fresh and wholesome.
Thus, Oman remains — at its very heart — a civilisational bridge linking the past with the future, and timeless values with a progressive vision.
Amidst this ongoing renaissance, the features of societal responsibility shine through as a deeply rooted national value. It binds the loyal citizens to their cherished homeland, transforming allegiance and love into dedication and action, converting belonging and affiliation into effort and achievement.
Our wise leadership has entrusted the youth with the responsibility of continuity, making them the architects of change and the bearers of hope. For the future is not built by decisions alone, but by hands that believe every small accomplishment is a building block in the grand edifice of the nation.
Hence, the responsibility placed upon Omani youth today is profound. The enlightened youth must embody the spirit of the renaissance in their daily lives: in their reading and education, their diligence and work, their initiatives and perseverance, their morals and conduct, within their circles and throughout their society.
The youth are the natural extension of their forefathers' roots and the vision to which the wise leadership aspires. Just as the community bears its responsibility in nurturing values and awareness, the nation flourishes and its stature rises among the nations.
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