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الاثنين، 17 أكتوبر 2016

Oman Flag History

By Steff Stoun


Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab world. By the 18th century, the Omani Empire stretched from present-day Oman down the east coast of Africa. A new era began in 1970 when Sultan Qaboos bin Said changed the name of the country from the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman to simply Oman.

The sultans and imams of Oman clashed continuously throughout the 20th century until 1959, when the last Ibadi imam was evicted from the country. In a palace coup on July 23, 1970, the sultan, Sa'id bin Taimur, who had ruled since 1932, was overthrown by his son, Qabus ibn Sa'id, who promised to establish a modern government and use newfound oil wealth to aid the people of this very isolated state.

A plain red flag was used in Oman as early as AD 750, and from 1868 to 1871 a plain white flag, the symbol of the imam (religious leader), served as the national flag.

The Nabhanite dynasty maintains itself in power for three centuries, until in 1429 its authority is again challenged by an elected imam. The struggle between the imam and hereditary king or sultan becomes from this time a feature of Omani history.

The red base is taken from Oman's previous flag and represents the reigning Al Bu Said dynasty, which has been ruling Oman since the mid-18th century and also symbolizes the difficulties Oman overcame in its search for independence.

Also featured is the national coat of arms, dating from about 1940 and consisting of two crossed swords, a dagger, and a belt. On November 18, 1995, the horizontal stripes at the fly end, originally of different widths, were made equal.




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