Politics in Oman
Politics in Oman
Oman is an Arab and Islamically shaped state. Thus, many views and ways of life refer to the Quran, the holy scripture of Muslims, and Sharia is used as a legal basis. The head of state of Oman is Sultan Haitham ibn Tariq. The Sultan unites both the executive and the judiciary and legislature within himself and therefore possesses all the power. However, the Omanis do not see the Sultan as an absolutist ruler, but much more as a father who has shown them the way into a new era, towards freedom and into the modern age. There are no parties and a parliament in the Omani government. Sultan Haitham ibn Tariq combines traditional Islamic rule with modern views. He is supported by a cabinet of ministers, state secretaries, and special advisors appointed by him. He himself holds the positions of Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, and Finance Minister. The former Sultan Qaboos had a special relationship with his people, traveling across the country each year and inviting them for an audience. When citizens have a problem, they could directly approach the Sultan and the responsible minister during this so-called 'Meet-the-people-Tour'. Since 1991, there has also been an advisory council composed of representatives of the people. This council examines the ministries and the legislative proposals. Oman is on the way to becoming an Islamic democracy. In 1996, the Omani Constitution, consisting of 81 articles, was promulgated. This regulates the aspects of the state apparatus and the succession to the throne. It forms the basis for social and political stability in the country and the guarantee of the rights and freedoms of each individual. The government was also expanded by a state council, which aims to promote cooperation between the people and the government.
Domestic politics
Oman is divided into three governorates (Muscat, Dhofar, and Musandam) as well as 44 municipal districts. The community representatives represent the connection between tradition and modern administration. They make significant decisions, coordinate governmental affairs in their district, relay concerns of the tribes, and consult with the Ministry of Interior. The legislation and judiciary of the Sultanate are based on Islamic legislation, Sharia. The country has nearly 50 Sharia courts for civil and criminal proceedings, a supreme court in Muscat, appellate courts, and regional courts. The death penalty is imposed for murder and serious crimes such as drug trafficking.
Foreign policy
The Sultanate of Oman was in isolation for over 100 years. When Sultan Qaboos took power in 1970, reforms were introduced to help the country out of isolation. The Sultan built good relationships with his neighboring countries and Western industrialized nations. For Qaboos, this is a sign of striving for world peace and understanding among nations. Today, Oman is a member of organizations such as the UN, the Arab League, and others. The state maintains diplomatic relations with over 120 countries.
Discover Oman with experts who have called it their home
Your dream holiday, tailor-made by experts.
We don't just know Oman from books, we visit the country several times a year to experience the culture, landscape and people first-hand.
From your first enquiry to your return home, we are there for you personally - by phone, email or WhatsApp, whenever you need us. Our trips are as unique as you are: individually planned and provided with exclusive privileges and high-quality arrangements that will make your trip unforgettable.
Experts for your Oman trip
You might also like this
Women in Working Life
There is a quote by Sultan Qaboos, in which he says: 'Uneducated women cannot raise free children, and neglected women can never properly care for others. If women are not trained for their roles, they can contribute nothing to the progress of this country.' This shows that in Oman, women are viewed in a completely different light than in most other Arab or Islamic countries. A merit of the Sultan, who has gradually opened the country for Western values and views over the past almost five decades, without betraying the identity and beliefs of his country. He merely pointed out that women also...
Oman Tourism
The Sultanate of Oman on the Arabian Peninsula is continuously developing its tourism in a sustainable way. The philosophy here is fundamentally different from that of the neighboring countries such as the United Arab Emirates. In Oman, there are few hotels, which are, however, of very high standard. The image is shaped by a few luxury hotels while simple hotels or guesthouses are rarely seen. A study by the World Economic Forum (published in April 2017) ranks Oman ninth in terms of tourism growth. The character of gentle tourism remains, as the hotels adapt to the traditional image of Oman a...
Arabian Leopards
The Arabian leopard is one of the smallest subspecies of leopard and is native to the Arabian Peninsula. It is an endangered species that has been on the red list since 1996. The number of Arabian leopards is estimated to range from 80 to 300 individuals. No more precise figures are available. The coat of the Arabian leopard has a rosette pattern and colors range from pale yellow to golden to yellow-brown. Males weigh about 30 kilograms and stand 1.30 meters tall. Females weigh only 20 kilograms and are correspondingly smaller. Generally, the Arabian leopard is smaller than the African and Per...