Muscat from Isolation to Universality: A Comprehensive Guide to Sultan Qaboos' Achievements

Muscat is the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Oman, located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. Muscat is a historical, civilized, cultural and tourist city, with many landmarks, institutions and projects that reflect the diversity, development and beauty of Oman. Behind this evolution and beauty stands a leading man, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who led Oman's renaissance from his accession to the throne in 1970, until his death in 2020. In this article, we will review the most important achievements of Sultan Qaboos in Muscat, and how they contributed to the advancement of Muscat, Oman and its people.

Muscat before the Renaissance: simplicity and solitude

Before reviewing Sultan Qaboos' achievements in Muscat, let us take a look at the state of Muscat before Qaboos assumed power from the political, economic and social aspects.

• Political situation: Muscat was under the rule of Sultan Said bin Taimur, who was isolated, conservative and resistant to change. He did not have good relations with neighboring countries or world powers. Modern communications, education, journalism, travel and commerce were prohibited. He imposed high taxes on the population and suppressed any manifestations of dissent. Muscat was isolated from the rest of the world and isolated from the rest of the country.

• Economic situation: Muscat was suffering from poverty, underdevelopment and dependence. It had no diversified or stable sources of income. It was mainly based on fishing, maritime trade and simple agriculture. It did not benefit from the discovery of oil in Oman in 1964. It had no developed infrastructure, growing industry, financial services or tourism. She was facing major economic problems such as unemployment, inflation, and debt.

• Marital status: Muscat was experiencing low levels of education, health and well-being. There were no schools, universities, hospitals, libraries, museums, theaters, playgrounds, or parks. Illiteracy, disease, death, hunger and violence were widespread. Women, children, minorities and marginal groups were marginalized and oppressed. Muscat lacked cultural, artistic, sporting and recreational life.

Muscat after the Renaissance: Sultan Qaboos' Achievements

After ascending the throne in 1970, Sultan Qaboos bin Said launched a series of reforms and initiatives aimed at modernizing and developing Muscat and making it a global and prosperous capital. It has been able to achieve great achievements in a short time, including the following:

Major infrastructure achievements in Muscat

1. Construction of the new Muscat International Airport: Opening New Horizons

Among Sultan Qaboos' achievements in Muscat, the construction of the new Muscat International Airport, which is a modern, advanced, safe and environmentally friendly means of transport. The airport aims to strengthen the Sultanate's position as a regional and global air transport hub, combining Oman's heritage with international standards of quality, safety and comfort.

The airport will handle 20 million passengers annually in its first phase, and could reach 56 million passengers in its final phase. The airport includes multiple and varied facilities, such as passenger, departure, arrival, transit halls, shops, restaurants, hotels, parking, mosques, medical centers and administrative offices.

2. Construction of Port Sultan Qaboos: Oman's gateway to the world and an attractive commercial and tourist port

One of Sultan Qaboos' most important achievements in Muscat is Sultan Qaboos Port, Oman's gateway to the world and an attractive commercial and tourist port. The port is strategically located at the entrance to the Arabian Gulf, facilitating access to regional and global markets. The port has a variety of advanced facilities, such as transit sheds, deep water marinas, barges, sailboats and small boats, in addition to Salwa Cement and a grain silo.

The port witnesses an active and continuous movement of commercial, tourist and military ships from various countries, and handles millions of tons of imported and exported goods. The port contributes to the revitalization of the national and local economy, and provides employment, training and development opportunities for Omani cadres. The port works to implement high standards of quality, safety, governance, social and environmental responsibility.

The port is also an attractive tourist port, visited by thousands of foreign and domestic tourists, who enjoy Muscat's natural scenery and historical, cultural, artistic and entertainment attractions. The port showcases Oman's ancient history and Arab, Islamic and international civilization. The port offers outstanding services and facilities to visitors, such as hotels, restaurants, museums, exhibitions, festivals and events.

3. Establishment of the Muscat Sewerage Project: a comprehensive, integrated, accessible and free health service for all residents

The Muscat Sewerage Project, which was launched during the era of the Omani renaissance under the leadership of Sultan Qaboos, is a comprehensive, integrated, accessible and free health service for all residents. The project aims to improve the environment, public health and groundwater in Muscat and in the Sultanate, and uses advanced technologies and solutions to collect, transport, treat, discharge and reuse wastewater.

The project includes an extensive network of pipes, stations, processors, drains and outlets, covering an area of more than 3,500 square kilometers, serving about one and a half million people in Muscat. The project includes more than 3,000 kilometers of pipes, more than 100 plants and more than 20 treatments, which ensure the quality, safety and effectiveness of wastewater.

The project provides a distinguished health service to the residents, and contributes to saving water, energy, natural resources, and reducing pollution, diseases, and odors. This project is one of Sultan Qaboos' most important achievements in Muscat.

4. Establishing a modern and advanced road network:

During the reign of Sultan Qutubus, a modern road network was established linking Muscat with the rest of the governorates and states and enjoying high quality at the international level. The establishment of a modern and advanced road network is one of the most important development projects aimed at facilitating and improving traffic, transport, trade and tourism in Muscat and in the Sultanate.

Muscat's road network includes highways, main roads, secondary roads, local roads, mountain roads, desert roads and coastal roads.

Sultan Qaboos' achievements in the field of health in Muscat

Among Sultan Qaboos' achievements in Muscat, the progress of the health sector stands out, which is a comprehensive, integrated, balanced, accessible and free health service for the entire population. The health sector aims to improve the environment, public health and groundwater in Muscat and in the Sultanate, and uses advanced technologies and solutions to address health challenges.

The health sector includes the development of health infrastructure, such as the construction, equipping and expansion of hospitals, health centers, laboratories, pharmacies, warehouses and other facilities. It also includes diversifying sources of financing and health revenues, such as the establishment of the Health Insurance Fund, encouraging the private sector, non-governmental organizations, community contributions and international cooperation.

The health sector provides the improvement of health human cadres, such as providing education, training, development, motivation, evaluation, accreditation, promotion, mobility, specialization, diversity and integration. It also promotes scientific research, innovation, quality, safety, governance, planning and evaluation, information, communication, awareness, education, legislation and health policies.

Achievements at the level of higher education

The development of the higher education sector is emerging as one of Sultan Qaboos' most important achievements in Muscat, which is a high-quality, integrated educational service available to all residents. The higher education sector aims to improve the environment, knowledge and skills in Muscat and in the Sultanate, and uses cutting-edge technologies and solutions to offer a variety of academic, professional, research and innovative programmes, disciplines and qualifications.

The higher education sector includes improving the quality, standards, outputs and outcomes of higher education, and enhancing cooperation, partnership, exchange and integration between higher education institutions in Muscat and between them and other sectors. It also includes the development of scientific research, innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, smart learning and lifelong learning in Muscat.

The higher education sector enhances the role, responsibility, contribution, influence, leadership, excellence, competitiveness, empowerment, development, development, transformation and change of Muscat in the field of higher education.

During the reign of Sultan Qaboos, higher education was promoted by a large number of university institutions, including:

Middle East College is a private college established in 1995 offering programs in engineering, technology, management, media and languages.

• Oman Medical College: It is a private college established in 2001, offering programs in medicine, nursing and pharmacy, and collaborating with West Virginia State University in the United States.

Majan College: A private college established in 2004, it offers programs in engineering, applied sciences, management, accounting and informatics.

• Muscat College: A private college established in 1997, it offers programs in management, informatics, design, photography, education and languages.

• Al Zahra College for Girls: It is a private college established in 1999, offering programs in management, accounting, informatics, design, education and languages, which are intended for female students only.

• College of Banking and Financial Studies: A government college established in 1983, it offers programs in banking, finance, accounting, insurance and risk studies.

• Al-Bayan College: It is a private college established in 2004, offering programs in media, communication and languages.

• Oman Dental College: It is a private college established in 2006, offering programs in dentistry, orthodontics, prosthodontics, anesthesia and surgery.

Attractions built by Sultan Qaboos in Muscat

• The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is one of the most important religious, cultural and artistic landmarks in the Sultanate of Oman, and is the embodiment of Sultan Qaboos bin Said's vision to modernize the Sultanate and preserve its identity and heritage. Located in Muscat Governorate, the mosque houses the world's largest prayer hall, the largest handmade carpet, the largest crystal lamp, and the largest minaret in Oman.

The mosque is decorated with various arts and decorations, such as zellige, mosaics, engravings, Arabic calligraphy, sculpture and painting. The mosque receives visitors from different religions and cultures, and offers them a library, a museum, and a cultural and educational center. This mosque is one of Sultan Qaboos' most important achievements in Muscat, and contributes to the spread of peace, tolerance and dialogue among peoples.

• Al Alam Palace: It is a royal palace located on Saidiya Street, and is characterized by its luxurious and ornate design, and is used to receive official guests and hold national events.

• Oman National Museum: It is a government museum located near the Al Alam Palace, and displays a rich and diverse collection of artifacts, heritage and art that narrate the history and civilization of Oman.

• Muscat Gate Museum: It is a private museum located in the city of Qurum, and provides an interactive and educational experience about Muscat, and its natural, human and cultural elements.

• Muttrah Corniche: It is a tourist walkway that extends along the coast in the city of Muttrah, and includes many parks, cafes, restaurants, markets and historical landmarks such as Muttrah Fort and Seeb Market.

• Fahal Island: It is a rocky island located in the Gulf of Muscat, and is considered a nature reserve that includes many rare species of animals and plants, and attracts tourists looking for recreation and adventure.

Sultan Qaboos' achievements in Muscat are a testament to his wisdom, vision, generosity and humanity. It has changed the face of this ancient city and made it a cosmopolitan, prosperous, beautiful and happy capital. He has contributed to improving lives in various fields, such as health, education, trade, tourism, culture, environment and peace.