This week, the ‘Sultanate of Oman’ and the ‘Kingdom of Belgium’ have two things in common. Yesterday, on the 21st of July, the ‘Kingdom of Belgium’ celebrated ‘National Day.’ In 1830 my native country gained independence. On 21st of July 1831, Leopold of Saxe-Coburg swore allegiance to the new Belgian constitution, thus became the first king of the Belgians. Foreign nationals joined Belgians in celebrating this day. On the 20th of July Sultan Qaboos sends his greetings to HM King Philippe, the current King of Belgium.
On the 23th of July, tomorrow, the Sultanate of Oman celebrates ‘Renaissance Day.’ It marks the day in 1970 when the current leader Sultan Qaboos acceded to the throne and transformed the country into a modern state. To commemorate this occasion, in Dhofar, the Salalah Tourism Festival will start. The annual festival takes place during the south-west monsoon when dazzling rain changes the colors of the landscape. The festival will conclude on September 6.
The National Flag of Oman was adopted by a Royal Decree on 17th December 1970. The flag is rectangular in shape and is red, white and green in colour. It carries the Sultanate’s emblem of two crossed swords with a dagger (Omani Khanjar) and belt superimposed. The white colour depicts the conviction of the Omani people in peace and prosperity. The red colour has been adopted from the old Omani flag (which was all red) and this symbolises the battles fought by Omanis for the eviction of foreign invaders from the country. The green color represents the fertility and greenery of the land. (source ONA)
Khareef delights, with the annual Salalah Tourism Festival
al'arba 