Explaining why the Sultanate did not accept outside assistance after it was hit by Cyclone Gonu with devastating effect last year, Sultan Qaboos said the country and its people wanted to test their strength to face a disaster. And they succeeded in it, he added. id Oman’s democracy was based on mutual respect where the young respected the old and placed trust in God, observing that the best political systems were derived from a ‘nation’s privacy, heritage, culture’ and its ‘social and political legacy’.
Against praise
The Omani monarch, who stressed that he considered his position as a responsibility than a privilege, made it clear that he did not like to be praised, adding that for him the “real praise is that when we see ourselves working and that our work results are useful and people feel them.”
id development of a strong and efficient national workforce had always been one of his top priorities since he assumed power in 1970. “We believe that the human factor is the basis for turning our dreams to reality,” Sultan Qaboos observed in an exhaustive and wide-ranging interview with Al Siyasa’s Editor-in-Chief Ahmed Al Jarallah, published yesterday.
“All that I want is that a war does not erupt in this region which is considered the nerve of world economy… The nations in the region only want peace. We want to keep our region away from the catastrophe of wars. We want it to follow the path of development and to enjoy its financial surpluses so that it enjoys prosperity, stability and development. All this will be achieved via an easy equation, which is to respect the interests of others, and we request them to respect our interests. Then, nations will only enjoy peace,” Sultan Qaboos said.
‘Peace-loving country’
Reiterating that Oman was a ‘peace-loving country’, id it built its relations with mutual interest “with all peoples without prejudice… We don’t have any animosity with any country in the region. We know that some of them have their interests and want us to respect them. And we believe that we also have our interests which others should respect. This way all differences will vanish.”
Asked if Oman’s reported turning down of any assistance after Cyclone Gonu struck the country meant that it did not need any ‘favour that would be followed by harm’, Sultan Qaboos clarified that the Sultanate did not reject assistance “as critically suggested in your question,” adding: “When the cyclone hit, myself and my people were able to assess its consequences. We also wanted to test our strength during such a disaster. Our people were subjected to the test and I tell you that we have succeeded. Such a test has woken up the people and the Omani nation which we found stood united and could discharge its duty.
“Unfortunately, there are some people who interpreted this disaster as God’s punishment. Such people are interpreting away from the Shariah perspective.
“Let us take this issue as a warning from God so that people would understand that life is not always without hardships and therefore, they should be prepared… What happened to us may happen once or twice, and we consider it as an exception if we compare with others who experience disasters annually or repeatedly. With high calibre of national cooperation and sentiments, we were able to face this disaster, and I was extremely delighted to see the Omani people’s cooperation. They were able to overcome the cyclone without any panic, fear or chaos.”
Oman followed a ‘deep-rooted’ and consistent system of government that was respected by all. “It has been a democracy that is based on mutual respect, where the young respect the old one and place trust in God. All believe in the quiet Omani diplomacy,” he added.
He also noted that the best political systems were derived from a nation’s privacy, heritage, culture and its social and political legacy. Prevailing democracies in many countries were in practice since eight hundred years and dominated by arguments, id, adding: “Sometimes, conflicts in their societies reach levels of fighting… Of course, I don’t accuse all, but I view a political system that emanates from a nation’s heritage, legacy and privacy is useful. Laws must be promulgated to make people happy and not miserable.”
The secret
Asked what was the secret behind the absence of any ethnic divisions in Oman, he recalled his speech two years after assuming power in which he had said, “We are one body, one nation and the high ranking is the one who works for his country, who contributes to its renaissance.”
“That is why,” Sultan Qaboos observed during the Al Siyasa interview, “you will find that our social fabric is tme and it will remain to be so. The Omani people have responded well with the thoughts of their leader and this has led to our national unity. We don’t suffer from disharmony. Omani people are unified, loyal to its country and its leader, as instructed by the teachings of our religion.”
He added the country did not have “the seeds for any split or division. We all enjoy the shade of national unity without any split or dispute… Thanks to Allah, our country enjoys stability and security as the loyalty of security personnel is to their leader whose orders are not affected by any creed or sect or tribe. All are equal and responsible for achieving the security, welfare and stability of the homeland and people.”
The Omani leader said his government had always given the highest priority to the development of national manpower. “We believe that the human factor is the basis for turning our dreams to reality. Building of man has always been the main concern of the Omani government, especially since the time we were far away from modernity.
Reaping the fruits
“Now we are reaping the fruits of those efforts at building human resources through education and training. Our commitment to our real value and heritage has helped us keep abreast of the requirements of the modern age.”
In reply to the interviewer’s remark that the people of Oman and the region want to be assured about the Omani monarch’s health, Sultan Qaboos said: “I am here in front of you and I believe that you see me enjoying full health and welfare although when we grow old, our bodies become tired and whenever you gain or lose weight, many people may go further in their thinking and may believe that your health is not well. We have to remember that following a good diet is a treatment… I am all right, busy with the affairs of my country, which are my real health.
“I go to sleep with a clear mind… I get up from sleep relaxed and start following up the paper work in front of me with accuracy because I don’t like making a mistake at any decision.”
Sultan Qaboos said he was happy with the quantum of foreign investment that the country had been able attract. “The size of investment is satisfactory and diversified, some of them through Omani private sector. Foreign expertise is also sought especially in serving the tourism industry which is very important,” he added.
Main concern
Sultan Qaboos said Oman’s domestic affairs were his main concern and “we are serious and keen about the interests of the people. The Omani renaissance started from scratch as you know it, now it is at a stage that we and Omani people are very proud. The Omani people have cooperated with us till everybody knew and heard about our country which is the refuge and fort of the Omani citizen and all those who are living in it or visiting it.”
Answering a question, Sultan Qaboos said he did not like to be praised. “For me,” he added, “the real praise is that when we see ourselves working and that our work results are useful and people feel them. This is the kind of praise that I like. I don’t have time to listen to how we could work better, how we could benefit the people and this country.”
