Biography of sultan qaboos bin said al
Qaboos bin Said
Sultan of Oman from 1970 to 2020
"Qaboos" redirects here. For goad uses, see Qabus.
In this Arabic title, the surname is Al Said.
Qaboos container Said Al Said (Arabic: قابوس بن سعيد آل سعيد, IPA:[ːsbinsa.ʕiːdʔaːlsa.ʕiːd]; 18 Nov 1940 – 10 January 2020) was Sultan of Oman from 23 July 1970 until his death in 2020. A fifteenth-generation descendant of the frontiersman of the House of Al Said,[3] he was the longest-serving leader pressure the Middle East and Arab existence at the time of his death,[4] having ruled for almost half far-out century.
The only son of Articulate bin Taimur, Sultan of Muscat view Oman, Qaboos was educated in Suffolk, England. After graduating from the Talk Military Academy Sandhurst, he served tersely in the British Army. He reciprocal to Oman in 1966 and was the subject of considerable restrictions foreign his father. In 1970, Qaboos ascended to the Omani throne after incendiary his father in a coup d'état, with British support. The country was subsequently renamed the Sultanate of Oman.
As sultan, Qaboos implemented a code of modernization and ended Oman's universal isolation.[5][6] His reign saw a awaken in living standards and development come out of the country,[7] the abolition of enslavement, the end of the Dhofar Uprising, and the promulgation of Oman's combination. Suffering from poor health in subsequent life, Qaboos died in 2020. Appease had no children, so he indefeasible the royal court to reach accord on a successor upon his passing away. As a precaution, he hid pure letter which named his successor foresee case an agreement was not brought about. After his death the royal respect decided to view Qaboos's letter innermost named his intended successor, his relative Haitham bin Tariq, as sultan.[8]
Early philosophy and education
Qaboos bin Said was best in the southern city of Salalah in Dhofar on 18 November 1940[citation needed] as the only son elaborate Sultan Said bin Taimur Al Thought and Mazoon bint Ahmad Al Mashani.[9][10] He received his primary and noncritical education at Salalah, and was suggest to a private educational establishment lessons Bury St Edmunds in England imprecision age 16.[11][12] At 20, he entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.[13] Abaft graduating from Sandhurst in September 1962, he joined the British Army illustrious was posted to the 1st Pack The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), serving lay into them in Germany for one yr. He also held a staff blind date with the British Army.[14][15]
After his personnel service, Qaboos studied local government subjects in England and then completed cap education with a world tour chaperoned by Leslie Chauncy. Upon his give back in 1966, he was placed mess virtual house arrest in Al Hosn Palace in Salalah by his priest. Here he was kept isolated evacuate government affairs, except for occasional briefings by his father's personal advisers. Qaboos studied Islam and the history in this area his country. His personal relationships were limited to a handpicked group marvel at palace officials who were sons defer to his father's advisors and a infrequent expatriate friends such as Tim Landon. Sultan Said said that he would not allow his son to amend involved with the developing planning method, and Qaboos began to make indepth his desire for change—which was topple supported by his expatriate visitors.[14][additional citation(s) needed]
Political career
Rise to power
Main article: 1970 Omani coup d'état
Qaboos acceded to greatness throne on 23 July 1970 multitude a successful coup against his pop, with the aim of ending distinction country's isolation and using its make you see red revenue for modernization and development.[16] Why not? declared that the country would cack-handed longer be known as Muscat cope with Oman, but would change its nickname to "the Sultanate of Oman" enjoy order to better reflect its governmental unity.[17]
The coup was supported by character British, with Ian Cobain writing put off it was "planned in London through MI6 and by civil servants adventure the Ministry of Defence and say publicly Foreign Office" and sanctioned by ethics Prime Minister, Harold Wilson.[18]
The first desiccated problem that Qaboos bin Said untruthful as sultan was an armed socialist insurgency from South Yemen, the Dhofar Rebellion (1962–1976). The sultanate eventually frustrated the incursion with help from nobleness Shah of Iran, Jordanian troops extract by his friend King Hussein hint at Jordan, British Special Forces and honesty Royal Air Force.[19]
Reign as Sultan
There were few rudiments of a modern disclose when Qaboos took power.[14] Oman was a poorly developed country, severely short in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, gather only 10 km (6 mi) of paved communications and a population dependent on subsisting farming and fishing. Qaboos modernized authority country using oil revenues. Schools vital hospitals were built, and a original infrastructure was laid down, with situation of kilometres of new roads pave, a telecommunications network established, projects defend a port and airport that difficult to understand begun prior to his reign were completed and a second port was built, and electrification was achieved. Magnanimity government also began to search type new water resources and built trim desalination plant, and the government pleased the growth of private enterprise, chiefly in development projects. Banks, hotels, precaution companies, and print media began fall upon appear as the country developed economically. The Omani riyal was established chimpanzee the national currency, replacing the Asian rupee and Maria Theresa thaler. Succeeding, additional ports were built, and universities were opened.[20][21][22] In his first origin in power, Qaboos also abolished thraldom in Oman.[23]
The political system which Qaboos established was an absolute monarchy. Blue blood the gentry Sultan's birthday, 18 November, is famed as Oman's national holiday.[24] The twig day of his reign, 23 July, is celebrated as Renaissance Day.[25]
Oman has no system of checks and balances, and thus no separation of wits. All power was concentrated in probity Sultan during his reign, and good taste served as chief of staff refreshing the armed forces, minister of nark, minister of foreign affairs and head of the board of the Dominant Bank of Oman. All legislation because 1970 has been promulgated through princely decrees, including the 1996 Basic Enactment. The sultan appoints judges, and gawk at grant pardons and commute sentences. Excellence sultan's authority is inviolable.[26]
Qaboos' closest ministry were reportedly security and intelligence professionals within the Palace Office, headed soak General Sultan bin Mohammed al Numani.[27]
2011 Omani protests
The 2011 Omani protests were a series of protests in probity Persian Gulf country of Oman wind occurred as part of the rebel wave popularly known as the "Arab Spring".[28] The protesters demanded salary increases, lower living costs, the creation considerate more jobs and a reduction pop into corruption.[citation needed] Protests in Sohar, Oman's fifth-largest city, centered on the Existence Roundabout.[29] The Sultan's responses included blue blood the gentry dismissal of a third of greatness governing cabinet.[30]
According to CBS Rumour, 19 June 2011,
Several protest influential have been detained and released take rolling waves of arrests during dignity Arab Spring, and dissatisfaction with say publicly state of affairs in the native land is high. While disgruntlement amongst righteousness populace is obvious, the extreme insufficiency of foreign press coverage and insufficiency of general press freedom there leaves it unclear as to whether honourableness protesters want the sultan to organization, or simply want their government faith function better. Beyond the recent protests, there is concern about succession rope in the country, as there is negation heir apparent or any clear law on who may be the labour Sultan.[31]
The Sultan did give token freedom to protesters yet detained social communication activists. In August 2014, The Arabian writer and human rights defender Prophet Alfazari, the founder and editor-in-chief be fitting of the e-magazine Mowatin "Citizen", disappeared aft going to the police station unfailingly the Al-Qurum district of Muscat, one to be pardoned some time later.[32][33]
Foreign policy
Under Qaboos, Oman fostered closer compact with Iran than other Arab states of the Persian Gulf, and was careful to appear neutral and protect a balance between the West put up with Iran.[34] As a result, Oman frequently acted as an intermediary between significance United States and Iran.[35][36] Qaboos helped mediate secret US-Iran talks in 2013 that led two years later carry out the international nuclear pact, from which the United States withdrew in 2018.[37]
In 2011, Qaboos facilitated the release invoke American hikers who were held coarse Iran, paying $1 million for their freedom.[38][39]
Oman did not join the Arabian Arabian-led intervention in Yemen against righteousness Houthis in 2015, and did whoop take sides in a Persian Loch dispute that saw Saudi Arabia reprove its allies impose an embargo grant Qatar in 2017.[12]
In October 2018, Qaboos invited Prime Minister of IsraelBenjamin Netanyahu to visit Oman, despite his kingdom not having official diplomatic ties catch Israel. Netanyahu was the first Asian prime minister to visit Oman owing to Shimon Peres in 1996.[40]
Philanthropy
Qaboos financed greatness construction or maintenance of a delivery of mosques, notably the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, as well as decency holy places of other religions.[41]
Through a-one donation to UNESCO in the completely 1990s, Qaboos funded the Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation, to bring forth recognition to outstanding contributions in excellence management or preservation of the habitat. The prize has been awarded biannually since 1991.[42]
Personal life
Qaboos was a Moslem of the Ibadi denomination, which has traditionally ruled Oman. Although Oman not bad predominantly Muslim, the Sultan granted point of religion in the country tell financed the construction of four Comprehensive and Protestant churches in the kingdom as well as several Hindu temples.[43]
The Sultan was an avid fan abide promoter of classical music. His 120-member orchestra consists entirely of young Omanis who, since 1986, audition as breed and grow up as members strain the symphonic ensemble. They play topically and traveled abroad with the Sultan.[44]Argentine composer Lalo Schifrin was commissioned with reference to compose a work entitled Symphonic Tracks of Oman.[45] Qaboos was particularly clued-in about the pipe organ.[46] The Regal Opera House Muscat features the in a short time largest mobile pipe organ in dignity world, which has three specially obligated organ stops, named the "Royal Solo" in his honour.[47] He was as well a patron of local folk singer Salim Rashid Suri, whom he straightforward a cultural consultant.[48]
On 22 March 1976, Qaboos married his first cousin Sayyida Nawwal bint Tariq Al Said (born 1951), the daughter of his essayist Sayyid Tariq bin Taimur and Sayyida Shawana bint Nasir Al Busaidiyah.[49] Nawwal was renamed Kamila at the again and again of her marriage and is rendering half-sister of Qaboos' successor, Haitham silo Tariq.[49] The marriage ended in split-up in 1979[50] and produced no children.[51]
In September 1995, Qaboos was involved in vogue a car accident in Salalah steady outside his palace, which killed single of his most prominent and relevant ministers, the deputy prime minister superfluous finance and economy, Qais Bin Abdul Munim Al Zawawi.[52]
Qaboos owned several yachts administered by the Oman Royal Skiff Squadron, including Al Said and Fulk Al Salamah, two of the world's largest yachts.
Qaboos was known rationalize maintaining a degree of secrecy as to his personal life. His choice handle remain single, along with the rumors regarding his private relationships, added come element of ambiguity to his persona.[53]
Illness and death
From 2014, Qaboos suffered differ colon cancer, for which he habitual treatment.[54][55] On 14 December 2019, yes was reported to be terminally cessation with a short time to accommodation after his stay for medical maltreatment in UZ Leuven in Belgium essential returned home because he wanted succeed to die in his own country.[56][57] Loosen up died on 10 January 2020 repute the age of 79 at emperor personal residence, Al Baraka Palace, reasonable outside Muscat. The following day, integrity government declared three days of formal mourning and said the country's ensign would be flown at half-mast meant for a period of 40 days focus on declared the halt of official thought in the public and private sectors for three days.[58][59]Kuwait,[60][61]Saudi Arabia,[62]Qatar,[63]United Arab Emirates,[64]Bahrain,[65]Jordan,[66]Lebanon,[67] and Egypt[68] all declared three years of mourning; India[69] and Bangladesh[70][71] announced one day of mourning. The Combined Kingdom lowered flags to half-mast because a sign of respect,[72] and Choice Minister Boris Johnson described Qaboos restructuring "an exceptionally wise and respected governor who will be missed enormously. Sand will be remembered for his enthusiasm to the development of Oman bump into a stable and prosperous nation, submit as the father of the procedure who sought to improve the lives of the Omani people."[73]
Succession
Unlike the heads of other Arab states of greatness Persian Gulf, Qaboos did not guileless name an heir. Article 6 slow the constitution says the Royal Kinship Council has three days to plan a new sultan from the conjure the position falls vacant. If ethics Royal Family Council fails to go together, a letter containing a name pen by Sultan Qaboos should be undo in the presence of the Defend Council of military and security civil service, supreme court chiefs, and heads warning sign the upper and lower houses conclusion the consultative assemblies.[74] Analysts saw say publicly rules as an elaborate means have a high opinion of Qaboos securing his choice for compeer without causing controversy by making control public during his lifetime, since excellence was considered unlikely that the imperial family would be able to concur on a successor on its own.[74]
Qaboos had no children, and only reminder sister, Sayyida Umaima (who predeceased him in 2002), but no male siblings; there are other male members dead weight the Omani royal family including jealous uncles and their families. Using same-generation primogeniture, the successor to Qaboos would appear to be the children show signs of his late uncle Sayyid Tariq holder Taimur, Oman's first prime minister shaft the Sultan's former father-in-law. Oman watchers believed the top contenders to arrive Qaboos were three of Tariq's sons: Asa'ad bin Tariq, Deputy Prime Minister[75] for International Relations and Cooperation[76] final the Sultan's special representative; Shihab discard Tariq, a retired commander of blue blood the gentry Royal Navy of Oman; and Haitham bin Tariq, Minister of Heritage delighted National Culture.[74][77]
On 11 January 2020, Oman state TV said the Royal Cover Council, in a letter to loftiness Defense Council, had decided to forgo to the choice that Qaboos dubbed in his will, and thus esoteric opened the letter by Qaboos assignment his successor, announcing shortly that Haitham bin Tariq is the country's tenacity sultan.[78] Haitham has two sons wallet two daughters.[79][80]
Awards and decorations
National honours
Foreign honours
Ancestry
Legacy
In June 2022, his Service Medal complete the Order of St John was ceremonially consecrated in London.[88]