By Admin 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Oman on 17-18 December. Oman will be the last stop of PM Modi’s three-nation tour, which started from Jordan on December 15. PM Modi’s visit to Oman is taking place on the completion of 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman visited India in December 2023. Meanwhile, the luxury life of the Sultan of Oman is also being discussed.
Sultan Haitham became the heir to the throne after Sultan Qaboos.
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman is a wonderful ruler who lives a life combining traditional Omani culture with modern luxury. He is the Sultan and Prime Minister of Oman since 11 January 2020. He came to power as per the will of his cousin Sultan Qaboos bin Said after his death.
Sultan Haitham was born on 11 October 1955 in Muscat. He studied at Pembroke College, Oxford University, and graduated from the Foreign Service Program in 1979. The Al Said dynasty has been ruling Oman for more than 300 years. Sultan Haitham is considered influenced by Western ideology and is less visible in public, but is active in strengthening the country.
Sultan Haitham has only one wife
Sultan is married to Ahad bint Abdullah. Ahad is considered a symbol of women empowerment in Oman. According to royal tradition, the Sultan has only one wife. He has four children, two sons and two daughters. The eldest son is Syed Theyazin bin Haitham, who was made the Crown Prince in 2021. Theyazin has studied at Oxford and has been the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth. He is married to Meyyan bint Shihab Al Saeed.
Sultan living in 200 year old palace
Sultan Haitham has 6 large and traditionally designed palaces in Oman. The most prominent among these is Al Alam Palace, which is 200 years old. It is plain compared to other royal palaces, but is decorated with gold and blue walls. Its cultural importance is very high.
Royal guests staying in the 16th century palace
The Flag Palace was rebuilt as a royal residence in 1972. It is a grand white building with shining marble surfaces. The complex has guest villas with swimming pool, spa and beautiful gardens. The entire palace is surrounded and protected by the 16th century Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali. Big guests like Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, King Charles, the Queen of the Netherlands have stayed here.
At least 9 properties of Sultan abroad
The total value of Sultan’s properties abroad is about 100 million dollars. These include houses in London and Southern England. One is the 14-acre Haselour House in Staffordshire, which has 7 bedrooms. The master bedroom has a 1785 fireplace and the dining room fireplace is made of Columbian marble.
The second property is Wonham Manor, which is worth $35 million. It was purchased in 1980, has an 800 meter long lake and pastures for deer. Former Sultan Qaboos used to spend three days a year here and spent around £750,000 on refurbishing the lake-paths.
155 meter long yacht and 7 government planes
The Sultan has a fleet of royal yachts. The largest is the Al Said yacht, which is 508 feet (155 meters) long and looks like a cruise ship. Its price is around 600 million dollars. It has 26 cabins, a fully equipped medical room (including dental room), several meeting halls, a private theater and a Jacuzzi. The interior decoration of the yacht is of Omani style, which has artefacts of Omani artisans. Another yacht is Al Salamah (or Fulk Al Salamah), which is a support yacht.
Among the planes, there are 7 government planes of Oman Royal Flight. These include 3 Boeing 747 jumbo jets worth about Rs 900 crore, 2 Airbus A320 and one Eurocopter EC225 helicopter. Sultan travels the world in these three private Boeing 747.
Passion for Arabian horses and Rolex watches
There are more than 1000 Arabian horses in the royal stables of Oman. It was started in 1974 by former Sultan Qaboos. Its headquarters is in Seeb, but it also has branches in France and Britain. The Royal Cavalry performed at Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Britain.
The Sultan is famous for giving gifts of Rolex watches, which bear the royal dagger symbol of Oman. Former Sultan Qaboos gifted a 25 kg gold artificial model of the coronation chariot to Queen Elizabeth in 2012.
Initiative to reduce oil dependence
Despite immense wealth, Oman’s royal family is known for its simplicity and restraint compared to other Gulf countries (such as Saudi Arabia). Sultan Haitham launched Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on reducing oil dependence and strengthening the economy. He has implemented new laws for freedom of expression and religious freedom. He balances tradition and modernity and is taking the country forward.