By Ahmed Mohiuddin Siddiqui,
Oman, 26 March 2015: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos returned to Oman after eight months of treatment in Germany yesterday. The citizens and expatriates thanked the Almighty for the safe return of the wise ruler of the oil-rich Sultanate of Oman. There was jubilation everywhere as the Sultan alighted from the stairs of the aeroplane.
Age was not a factor as all the living souls in Oman celebrated the momentous event. Sultan Qaboos is the father of the Omani Renaissance, who brought development in all spheres of life. He put Oman on the world map with his moderate foreign and economic policies.
Education and health have always been priorities in the vision of Sultan Qaboos. Oman boasts of multi-faceted development with free education for all Omanis even up to the doctorate level. Omanis can pursue education not just in Oman but also abroad at government expenses. Oman has the best health infrastructure in the world leaving behind even the United States and France. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has mentioned in glowing terms the healthcare facilities in the Sultanate of Oman. From just two hospitals in 1970 to hundreds of hospitals, poly clinics and healthcare centres that dot the length and breadth of Oman, it is an unparalleled and unending story of success. The Oman Health Vision 2050 is a giant leap in the field of quality healthcare, which is worthy of emulation by the developed and the developing countries.
Sultan Qaboos is a stabilizing force in the Gulf, who brought two sworn enemies – the United States and Iran to the negotiating table. Any agreement on the nuclear issue, which is likely to happen soon will be a feather in the crown of Sultan Qaboos. This year’s Nobel Prize could justifiably go to Sultan Qaboos for his quest for regional and world peace. The peaceful atmosphere and religious amity in Oman draw tourists even from those countries, who do not have Gulf as their tourist destination.
Sultan Qaboos returns to Oman after successful treatment in Germany
India and Oman are making world peace a realizable dream. The Indo-Oman socio-political and economic cooperation got further boost with the fruitful visit of India’s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj two months ago. The Indian diaspora of seven lakh and fifty thousand people are partners in development of Oman. The precious more than $3 billion foreign exchange to India is generated from Oman. Oman is just two hours by air from India. The geographical proximity is coupled with biological connection as the same blood flows in the veins of many Omanis, who have Indian mothers. Many such Indian women are now grandmothers and respected citizens of Oman.
The crude oil prices that took a surprising plunge in December 2014 has challenged the economies of the Gulf countries and Oman is no exception. The silver lining is the return of Sultan Qaboos, who will give a definite sense of economic direction to keep the saga of development continue in Oman. Sultan Qaboos is the heart throb of not just the 3.5 million Omanis but all those residents of Oman, who consider the Sultanate of Oman as their ‘second home.’
May the Almighty Grant His Majesty Sultan Qaboos a very long and healthy life and allow him to guide the destiny of the great Omani nation for many, many more years to come. The world has kings, emperors, presidents and prime ministers but not many who rule the hearts of the people. Sultan Qaboos’ jurisdiction is beyond geographical boundaries. He also rules the hearts of the people with his qualities of the head and the heart. He has transformed the skills of administration into an art. The greatest artist from the House of Al Said – Sultan Qaboos has etched his name on every heart in Oman. Happy days are here again, Oman. Rejoice!
Meanwhile, Oman News Agency (ONA) has reported that Sultan Qaboos has issued a Royal Pardon to 246 prisoners convicted in various cases. This includes 78 expatriates. The pardon coincides with the safe return of Sultan Qaboos to Oman after treatment in Germany.
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Ahmed Mohiuddin Siddiqui is a senior journalist, political analyst and columnist. He is widely followed in Asia, Africa and Europe. He has been a political commentator of the Middle East since 1995. He covered the Middle East extensively with diplomatic and international relations’ assignments in The Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, India during 1995-1996.
