Oman - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Oman, it was the origin of the name is uncertain, but it apparently dates back at least 2,000 years since an "Omana" is mentioned by Pliny the Elder (1st century A.D.) and an "Omanon" by Ptolemy (2nd century A.D.). The Government system in this country is the absolute monarchy type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 11 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafaza); Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Buraymi, Al Wusta, Az Zahirah, Janub al Batinah (Al Batinah South), Janub ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah South), Masqat (Muscat), Musandam, Shamal al Batinah (Al Batinah North), Shamal ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah North), Zufar (Dhofar)
National symbols
Khanjar dagger superimposed on two crossed swords; national colors: red, white, green.
The flag
The National flag of Oman has three horizontal bands of white (top), red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band; white represents peace and prosperity, red recalls battles against foreign invaders, and green symbolizes the Jebel al Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility.
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The National Anthem
| Title | "Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem) |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS, arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS |
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note: adopted 1932; new lyrics written after QABOOS bin Said al Said gained power in 1970; first performed by the band of a British ship as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit to Muscat; the bandmaster of the HMS Hawkins was asked to write a salutation to the Sultan on the occasion of his ship visit
More about the government of Oman
| Date of Independence | 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | National Day, 18 November; note - celebrates Oman's independence from Portugal in 1650 and the birthday of Sultan QABOOS bin Said al Said, who reigned from 1970 to 2020 |
| Legal system | mixed legal system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt |
| Constitution | |
| History | Promulgated by royal decree 6 November 1996 (the Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman serves as the constitution); amended by royal decree in 2011 |
| Amendments | Promulgated by the sultan or proposed by the Council of Oman and drafted by a technical committee as stipulated by royal decree and then promulgated through royal decree; amended by royal decree 2011, 2021 |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | the father must be a citizen of Oman |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | unknown |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | Sultan and Prime Minister HAITHAM bin Tarik Al Said (since 11 January 2020) |
| Head of government | Sultan and Prime Minister HAITHAM bin Tarik Al Said (since 11 January 2020) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by the monarch |
| Legislative branch | |
| Description | Bicameral Council of Oman or Majlis Oman consists of: Council of State or Majlis al-Dawla (87 seats including the chairman; members appointed by the sultan from among former government officials and prominent educators, businessmen, and citizens; members serve 4-year term) Consultative Assembly or Majlis al-Shura (90 seats; members directly elected in single- and 2-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve renewable 4-year terms) |
| Elections | Council of State - last appointments on 8 November 2023 (next appointments in November 2027) Consultative Assembly - last held on 29 October 2023 (next to be held in October 2027) |
| Election results | Council of State - 87 nonpartisan members were appointed by the sultan; composition - men 68, women 18, percentage women 20.9% Consultative Assembly percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; 90 nonpartisan members were elected (organized political parties in Oman are legally banned); composition - 90 men, 0 women, percentage women 0%; total Council of Oman percentage women 10.2% |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court (consists of 5 judges) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Judges nominated by the 9-member Supreme Judicial Council (chaired by the monarch) and appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for life |
| Subordinate courts | Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; magistrates' courts; military courts |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Moosa Hamdan Moosa AL TAI (since 17 February 2021) |
| Chancery | 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 387-1980 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 745-4933 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman, Washington, USA - FM.gov.om |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Ana ESCROGIMA (since 4 December 2023) |
| Embassy | P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat |
| Mailing address | 6220 Muscat Place, Washington DC 20521 |
| Telephone | [968] 2464-3400 |
| FAX | [968] 2464-3740 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://om.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 5 (all cultural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Bahla Fort; Archaeological Sites of Bat; Land of Frankincense; Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman; Ancient Qalhat |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Oman
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Oman
Want to know more about Oman? Check all different factbooks for Oman below.
