Muscat: Muscat was an array of colour yesterday as buildings and streets were lit up in celebration of the 40th National Day.
The nation saluted Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed for the progress and prosperity achieved since he began to rule the country 40 years ago.
"November 18 is one of the immortal days in the history of Oman as it portrays the glory and pride of the major achievements in the last 40 years and will bring the country towards further development and growth,"" General Ali Bin Majid Al Ma'amari, the Royal Office Minister, said while paying glowing tributes to the country's leader.
Sultan Qaboos began his rule on July 23, 1970, but the National Day is celebrated on November 18, which is his birthday. He turned 70 yesterday.
Mukhtar Al Rawahi, a leading campaigner for the cause of the disabled in the country, saluted the Omani leader noting that every citizen in Oman has benefited under his rule.
Great progress
"We are proud to be the part of this history," he told Gulf News, adding that it was nothing short of a miracle that the country has become what it is today. "Those who have seen the change happening would be proud of the progress that we [Omanis] have achieved under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos," he added.
Al Rawahi stressed that the Omani leader has ensured that there are laws to look after the interests of the people.
"We [the physically challenged] have [facilities] that many don't get in other countries," said the wheelchair-bound social worker, adding that he hoped economic stability would continue to bless the country in the years to come.
"Words cannot describe the achievements made by Oman and the Omanis, but what is more important and worthy of mentioning is the aspirations of His Majesty and his loyal people do not know the limits," said Dr Rawiyah Bint Saud Al Busaidiyah, Minister of Higher Education.
As part of the celebrations, people in different parts of the country held a ‘loyalty march' and paraded through the streets with large portraits of Sultan Qaboos. They sang songs in praise of the leader.
Sablat Oman, an Omani social networking website, claimed a place in the Guinness Book of World Records by unveiling a huge marble mosaic portrait of Sultan Qaboos at the Wave Muscat. Most of the 128,274 stones used for the huge handmade portrait, came from the mountains and sea beds of Oman.
Message of thanks
Omani women also got together to break another record as part of the National Day. Resalati (My Message), the longest message of thanks and gratitude to be given to Sultan Qaboos is travelling the length and breath of the country.
This is the longest letter appreciation in the world. The 400-kilogramme paper roll, is resistant to water. It is 1.25 metres wide and 2,000 metres in length. This historical document comprises greetings from more than 40,000 women, expressing their gratitude, loyalty and affection for the Omani monarch.
Traditional Omani dances and poetry readings will also take place on the last three days. The Omani leader presided over the annual military parade at Hisn Al Shumokh.
