About Oman National Day

Blessed with Natural beauty unlike its other Arabian counterparts, Oman is flocked with tourists around the year from all parts of the world. The  political and economical climate in the country is ideal for the citizens to thrive and grow with ease.Every year, as a celebration of independence from the Portuguese in 1650 the celebration of Oman’s National Day takes place on November 18. Adding additional significance to the day, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said’s birthday coincides with National Day, which occurs on November 19.

In 1507, the Portuguese took control of the ports of Muscat and Sohar, and then rest of the coast of Oman flexing their superior naval tactics and technology. Being the stopping points in their Indian spice trade routes, the Portuguese saw the ports along the coast of Oman as valuable.

In 1646, the Al-Ya’ribi clan wooed the British East India Company, being unsatisfied with the Portuguese exploitation of resources in Oman. To effectively weaken the influence of Portugal in the region, British merchants were guaranteed legal rights while operating in Oman’s domain under an agreed treaty.

An uprising that effectively expelled Portugal was lead by  Imam Sultan Bin Saif and others on November 18, 1650 which freed Oman and its ports. In modern history, the Sultanate is generally recognized as being the longest continually independent Arab state since its independence Oman and maintained the same so forth.

After overthrowing his father, Said bin Taimur, in a palace coup in 1970, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said rose to power.  He was born in Salalah in Dhofar on November 18, 1940.

On November 18 both the Sultan’s birthday and Oman’s independence from the Portuguese are celebrated by people in Oman. Celebrations that focus on the progress the current sultan, Qaboos bin Said, has made for the people of Oman can be seen during the Fireworks displays, carrying images of the sultan and Oman’s flag. Throughout the country, we could find the royal flag of Oman and cutouts of Sayyed Qaboos bin Said al Said across lines, streets and highways.

Since November 18 of this year was on a Friday, already a weekend day in the Sultanate, an additional 3-day holiday was to be granted to the general population. This holiday is never set in stone, but rotates every year.

So, this was a short description of the D’day in Oman were people celebrates this occasion with all the glitter and glamour and would continue to do so in future.