To commemorate the birth of Oman’s independence, the National Day is celebrated every year on 18th November.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

A tribal society, in 749 Oman chose an Imam to be its first ruler, and so Islam became the main religion there. Despite pressure from neighbouring Arabic countries, Oman remained relatively independent right up until 1507.

In 1507, Portugal’s naval fleet arrived taking the strategic ports of 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. By signing a treaty to guarantee legal and religious rights whilst operating in Oman, the British significantly reduced the power exercised by the Portugese.

However in 1650 there was an uprising: Imam Sultan Bin Saif and his followers effectively expelled the Portugese from their position of occupancy. Since then, Oman has been relatively independent and is certainly one of the longest continually independent Arab states.

Traditions 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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