Muscat: Ahead of Oman’s 47th National Day, Omanis and expatriates have rushed to buy festive decorations in the national flag colours to adorn their cars, homes and streets.
Speaking to Gulf News, Zain, an Omani who sells the car decorations, said: “We have throngs of customers decorating their cars as National Day nears.”
Preparations are on in full swing, with roads adorned in festive lights in the national colours as part of the celebrations.
The Muscat Municipality has installed 84 energy-saving LED street lights on the stretch facing Qurum beach.
This is in line with the country’s sustainable development goals to reduce electricity consumption by 60 per cent.
Lights that have lit up Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque continue to enthral residents from November 15 until the end of this month.
There will also be a 30-minute fireworks display in Muscat and Dhofar on November 18.
Meanwhile, companies and hotels are offering promotions for the occassion.
Oman Air, the national carrier, has slashed fares by 47 per cent until November 20, with the last date for travel being May 31 next year.
The offer is valid from Muscat International Airport and Salalah International Airport to all international destinations within Oman Air’s widespread network, except Kozhikode (Calicut), Jeddah, Medina, Doha, Manila, and domestic destinations.
Omani artists are showcasing their talents for National Day.
An exhibition by Omani artist Shaker Jalal, showcasing portraits of Sultan Qaboos this past week at the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM).
Indian artist Sedunath Prabhakar is also showcasing his painted portraits of the Sultan as well as prominent Omani and Indian leaders.
Several cultural and business events have been held the past week organised by community leaders and companies to mark the occasion.
Sultan Qaboos Bin Said is set to lead the National Day military parade on Saturday at the Police Task Force headquarters in Wilayat of Seeb.
The parade will feature columns of the military comprising groups of Royal Oman Police (ROP) personnel from various divisions.
A joint military music band with a line-up of ROP, Royal Guard of Oman (RGO), Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF), Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) and Royal Court Affairs band-members will also be part of the parade.
Chairmen of the State Council and Majlis Al Shura, ministers, advisers, commanders of SAF, ROP and the military and security apparatus will be present. Members of the State Council and Majlis Al Shura, among a host of other sheikhs and dignitaries, will also attend the parade.
