Speeches

Speeches
I promise you to proceed forthwith in the process of creating a modern government. My first act will be the immediate abolition of all the unnecessary restrictions on your lives and activities.
"My people, I will proceed as quickly as possible to transform your life into a prosperous one with a bright future. Every one of you must play his part towards this goal. Our country in the past was famous and strong. If we work in unity and cooperation we will regenerate that glorious past and we will take a respectable place in the world.
"I call upon you to continue living as usual. I will be arriving in Muscat in the coming days and then I will let you know of my future plans.
"My people, I and my new government will work to achieve our general objective.
"My people, my brothers, yesterday it was complete darkness and with the help of God, tomorrow will be a new dawn on Muscat , Oman and its people.
"God bless us all and may He grant our efforts success."

Achievements

Achievements
Fund for the Development of Youth Projects : In 1998, His Majesty launched the FDYP in order to provide young Omani entrepreneurs with technical assistance and managerial support for the launching of small/medium-sized businesses (eg. factories) and to encourage the private sector to assist with finance.Sanad Project : This Project was launched by His Majesty in October 2001 with a RO2 million donation from the government. It trains young Omanis to set up their own small businesses (eg. supermarkets) with maximum assistance of RO5,000.000. The private sector is also encouraged to assist with training and financing the Sanad project.In business, the Sultan has established several annual awards to recognise outstanding Omani venturesHis Majesty's Cups for Sports: The Sultan is a liberal supporter of sport and youth participation. In 1998, he launched two sports trophies and financial grants for the winning clubs in annual football and hockey tournaments. His Majesty's Camel Race Cup: Equestrian activities, including the formation of a national team, are currently being promoted in a comprehensive new programme of improved facilities and training for both horse and camel riding and racing, and by the institution of this Cup.The Sultan Qaboos Award for Environmental Conservation: This UNESCO-administered Award was launched in 1989, offering bi-annual prizes of $20,000 to groups or institutions that deliver outstanding results in protecting the environment. . The Sultanate has been elected to the post of deputy chairman on UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, which recently added 24 more locations as World Heritage Sites around the globe. The Sultanate has seven World Heritage Sites. The Sultan of Oman's Chair for Arab and Islamic Studies
• Australia : In the field of education, an agreement signed in March 2003 with Melbourne University for the creation of this Chair is the latest in a series of endowments to prestigious universities throughout the world. It is just one example of the Sultan's role in promoting exchanges and mutual understanding between cultures and peoples.
• A chair for Water Management and Economic Diversification, in December 14 2005 at the Roosevelt Academy affiliated to Utrecht University in the Netherlands . The Dutch government resolved launching of HM Chair in recognition of His Majesty's contributions and efforts in the field of international peace and cooperation, and development of the Sultanate as a modern state under his leadership.His Majesty's Research Fund : Within Oman , grants from this Fund have been awarded in 2003 to five research projects at Sultan Qaboos University , in the fields of medicine, the sciences, geography and commerce

Birth

Sultan Qaboos - the Human Being
The year was 1940 and amongst those closely related to the royal family, there were whispers that destiny had granted Oman a master in whose hands lay the prosperity and glory for the future of Oman. A destiny that was fulfilled in Salalah on November 18, 1940 . This child of destiny was none other than His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, son of the honorable Sultan Said Al Said; the heir to the throne of Muscat and Oman. Poets praised his birth with wonderful poems and verses congratulating His Majesty, the father for the beloved new born - gift of the heavens.The name Qaboos was offered to him by his father. It was an uncommon name but it had a specific meaning of granting abounding wealth and prosperity.As he attained manhood, the young heir showed great power and ability of command that would one day restore to Oman its historical glory.On 23 rd of July 1970, Sultan Said bin Taimur abdicated and his son Qaboos succeeded him to the royal throne of Oman . The father left Oman for Britain , where he died in 1972. Thus His Majesty became the 8 th Sultan of Oman from the bin Said dynasty which was established by Emam Ahmed bin Said in the year 1744.

Sultan Qaboos ibn Sa‘id was born in Salalah in Dhofar on 18 November 1940. He is the only son of Sultan Sa‘id bin Taymur and is one of the 8th generation of the Al Bu Sa‘idi dynasty. He received his primary and secondary education in Salalah and at Pune, India and attended a private educational establishment in England from the age of sixteen. At 20 he entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. After graduating from Sandhurst, he joined a British Infantry regiment, The Cameronians, and served in the 1st Battalion in Germany for one year. He also held a staff appointment with the British Army.
After his military service, Sultan Qaboos studied local government subjects in England and, after a world tour, returned home to Salalah where he studied Islam and the history of his country