Meet-the-People
Tour: An Example Worth Emulating
Every year His Majesty Sultan
Qaboos bin Said embarks on a unique exercise to meet his beloved subjects. His Majesty the Sultan embarks
on this “meet-the-people” tour to learn about his people’s welfare and to
join the citizens in their celebrations and other joyous occasions.
This year, His Majesty, the
builder of modern Renaissance, began the tour from Seih Al Barakat in the
wilayat of Manah. His Majesty is accompanied on
this tour by Sayyid Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, His Majesty the Sultan’s
special adviser; Sayyid Seif bin Hamad bin Saud Al Busaidi, minister of the
diwan of royal court; General Ali bin Majid Al Ma’amari, minister of the
palace office and head of the office of the supreme commander of the armed
forces; Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Hareb Al Busaidi, minister responsible for
defence affairs; Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, interior minister; Sheikh
Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Zahir Al Hinai, minister of justice; Ahmed bin
Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the
financial affairs and energy resources council; Sayyid Mohammed bin Ahmed Al
Busaidi, His Majesty the Sultan’s special adviser for religious and historic
affairs; Dr Mubarak bin Saleh Al Khadouri, His Majesty the Sultan’s special
adviser; Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, minister of higher education; Abdul
Aziz bin Mohammed Al Rowas, minister of information; Sayyid Al Mutasim bin
Hamoud Al Busaidi, minister of state and governor of Muscat; Salim bin Abdullah
Al Ghazali, His Majesty the Sultan’s special adviser; Sheikh Mohammed bin Ali
Al Qatabi, minister of electricity and water; Sayyid Musallam bin Ali Al Busaidi,
minister of state and governor of Dhofar; Malik bin Suleiman Al Ma’amari,
minister of transport and housing; Dr Ali bin Mohammed bin Moosa, minister of
health; Dr Khamis bin Mubarak Al Alawi, minister of regional municipalities and
environment; and Sheikh Suhail bin Mustahail bin Salim Shamas, minister of
telecommunications. This year’s tour marks the
end of three decades of record domestic and external achievements that
catapulted the Sultanate on to the world stage and made it contribute
effectively to shaping world opinion on issues of peace and prosperity for all
nations. The three decades saw the
Sultanate enter a unique developmental experience after completing the basic
infrastructure necessary for development. The Omani citizen has always
been the target of the national development drive and his welfare remains the
focus of attention for His Majesty. Thunderous receptions meet His
Majesty the Sultan wherever he goes. Citizens
expressed overwhelming joy on his arrival and gave their oath of allegiance to
their great leader. His Majesty has been very keen,
from the start of the modern Oman Renaissance, on making direct contacts with
his people in every part of the Sultanate, through innovative and unique ways
such as this meet-the-people tours. The tours of the wilayats and
regions have special significance as they form part of His Majesty’s
continuous efforts to ensure national development and progress for the citizens
and their homeland in various fields. The tour, which takes several
weeks, provides a platform for interaction between the leader and the citizens,
with His Majesty listening with much attention to the citizens, of their needs
and requirements, and issuing orders for addressing them within the context of
national priorities and development plans. The annual tour, is a
continuation of the wise tradition set by His Majesty himself. During the tours,
His Majesty outlines a number of features that enrich the lives of the Omani
citizen. These features contribute to the fulfilment of the citizens’ and the
nation’s interest. At the dawn of the Renaissance,
30 years ago, His Majesty launched the biggest educational process in the
history of the country. His Majesty’s motto was “education even under a
tree”. Even during this year’s tour, His Majesty had noted that “education
in all stages, is available to all sons and daughters of the nation.” He
stressed that “education is the means for Renaissance and the means to raise
the standards of the individual and the community.” Over the 30 years, the efforts
continued and the goals have been achieved. Today, the generation of Renaissance
is contributing to the development process and is raising the banner of the
nation in all fields. His Majesty spends nearly two
months on these prolonged tours of the Sultanate’s villages and towns during
which the citizens welcome the royal motorcade and express loyalty, love and
gratitude to him for his continuous and dedicated efforts exerted for their
sake. In this context, the US
President Bill Clinton said in a written message to His Majesty: “You have led
Oman with vision and determination. Your leadership commands great respect
throughout the world. I and my predecessors appreciate, in particular, your
advice and support in creating a regional atmosphere conducive to peace and
prosperity.” Former US president Jimmy
Carter alludes: “His Majesty’s unmatched leadership has led the Sultanate to
great achievements.” He expressed appreciation of the special bond between His
Majesty and the Omani people. Annan noted in the recent
Millennium Summit that diplomacy was an inherent part of the Omani character. He
hailed His Majesty’s annual tours of the Sultanate’s regions and wilayats. This year’s besides
coinciding with the three decades of the modern Omani Renaissance, also
coincides with the preparation of the Sixth Five-Year Plan (2001-2005), which
will be implemented next year. During one of his speeches
which touched upon education, His Majesty pointed to the fact that education at
all levels was available for all in the Sultanate. He commended the importance
of the role of private universities, which would be established in the near
future. He noted that those who wanted
to pursue their special education could do so by joining courses offered by
several institutes and by becoming a good citizen serving himself and his
country next to his brothers. He said that the policy would
lead to the creation of an elite self-conscious segment that would look down on
other members of the society. He
also said schools and higher institutes were open for all to benefit from. He
said the government had earlier agreed to allow the establishment of four
private universities. His Majesty said that the world
would witness a change in the traditional role of universities and that higher
education would focus on vocational and technical training. His Majesty has always lauded
the fruitful cooperation between the government and the citizens and affirmed in
his address during the 29th Renaissance Day celebrations that numerous
achievements in the past have prepared the country to meet the challenges of the
next century. He expressed his confidence on
the fact that “this young and emerging God-loving society is capable of coping
with rapid changes that sweeps the world in all walks of life”. |