Muscat: Oman’s Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed on Saturday presided over a military parade to mark the country’s 47th National Day.
The military ceremony was staged at the parade ground at the headquarters of the Police Special Force (PSF) in Seeb province of Muscat governorate. The parade was organised by the by Royal Oman Police (ROP).
The Sultan was received by Gen. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Nu’amani, Minister of the Royal Office, and Sayyid Badr Bin Saud Bin Harib Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs.
Qaboos issued a Royal pardon to 257 prisoners convicted in different cases, including 131 expatriates of different nationalities.
The pardon coincided with the 47th National Day, the Royal Oman Police said in a tweet on Friday.
Omanis had launched a hashtag titled “The 47th National Day”, which attracted more than 6,000 tweets, expressing love, loyalty and gratitude for Sultan Qaboos.
Fireworks displays to celebrate the 47th National Day were held in Al Amerat, Seeb and Salalah provinces on Saturday.
Roads in Muscat were lit up in the colours of the Omani flag that will stay until the end of the month.
Traditional folk performances and other festivities will be held until the end of the month.
Many Omanis and expatriates have had their cars jazzed up at shops that offer customised decorations.
In a country where police strictly enforces regulations that forbid decorating cars, rules were relaxed to allow citizens to celebrate. The Royal Oman Police issued a list of conditions under which such decorations were allowed, saying they would only be accepted until the end of November.
Shops displayed National Day-related items such as Sultan Qaboos pictures, key-rings, mementos, stickers, badges and other festive items.
