The celebration of Oman’s National Day takes place every year on November 18 as a celebration of independence from the Portuguese in 1650.National Day coincides with Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s birthday, which occurs November 19, adding additional significance to the day.
Quick History of National Day in Oman
Islam first entered Oman in 749, when the country chose an Imam to be its leader. The country’s people remained relatively independent until 1507, despite some pressure from neighbouring Iran and other Arab countries.
In 1507, the Portugese arrived, bringing with them superior naval technology which infiltrated Muscat and Sohar.The Portuguese saw the ports along the coast of Oman as valuable stopping and trading points in their Indian spice trade routes.
Spice trading became a lucrative and important source of income for the Portugese, as well as the British and Dutch who were performing similar commercial operations at the time. But as the Portugese started to exploit Oman’s resources, the Al-Ya’ribi decided to woo the East India Company of Britain to reduce the strain on resources the Portugese were placing on Oman. The British signed an agreement with Oman which effectively reduced Portugese power in the area. The agreement guaranteed certain legal and religious rights to Oman, in exchange for the East India company to hold trading positions.
On November 18, 1650, Imam Sultan Bin Saif and others led an uprising that effectively expelled Portugal from Oman and its ports.As independence has been a staple since, Oman is generally recognized as being the longest continually independent Arab state in modern history.
Oman’s National Day Traditions, Customs and Activities
Today, people celebrate both Oman’s independence from the Portuguese and the Sultan’s birthday on November 18. Fireworks displays, images of the sultan, and Oman’s flag can be seen during celebrations that focus on the progress the current sultan, Qaboos bin Said, has made for the people of Oman.
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