While this year marks the fifth National day since the passing of the late Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, it will be our first year celebrating National Day on the 20th of November, a date commemorating the founding of the Al Busaidi dynasty in 1744. 2025 marks a major change in how we celebrate the date in Oman. The changing of the date after the passing of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, from his Birthday (November 18) to the founding of his family’s dynasty was a change announced January 2025. However, while last year’s National Day was celebrated as the 54th, this year it will be celebrated as the 281st. 

The new date, celebrates the 281st  anniversary since The Busaidi family was brought into power after Sayyid Ahmad bin Said Al Busaidi, the governor of Sohar at the time, was elected as Imam after resisting the Persian occupation of Oman and reaching terms with the invaders. His victory in rejecting foreign rule allowed him to unite the tribes and centralize power in the nation, laying the foundation for Oman’s monarchy.

Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq stated in his address to the nation, “Sayyid Ahmed bin Said Al Busaidi unified the banner of the Omani nation and led its struggle and great sacrifices for the sake of complete sovereignty over the land of Oman and freedom and dignity for its honourable sons,” 

While National Day is sure to remain a beloved holiday to the nation as a whole, hopefully this new change will inspire the youth to delve deeper into our nation’s rich history. 

By Reem, grade 11