Because of National Day/Month everywhere pictures of the Sultans appeared. Some pictures I took myself, although many have been taken from the car by Yelena.
The one with the white mustache and thinner face is Sultan Qaboos. He passed away last January and was loved a lot. The other with the slightly darker mustache is the new Sultan; Sultan Haitham.
@thewatersphotos@wakelys I think Susan is right.
The Sultan is very important in Oman and because it was National Day/Month Sultan Haitham is put in the spotlight. Sultan Qaboos was very loved and ruled for 49 years. So he is not to be forgotten and therefore his picture appears next to Sultan Haitham in many places.
@ingrid01@wakelys@thewatersphotos - Sultan Qaboos lifted his people from poverty. he was educated in the uk, and he deposed his father from ruling oman. he believed that the profit from their precious oil should benefit all omani people and not just those in power. he believed in educating the population and the best teachers and educators were hired. he believed in progress and welcomed the west to his country as he believed in the importance of alliances, without losing their values and tradition. this information did not come from books. i learned this first-hand from the people itself -- my driving instructor in oman who had not seen an actual car much less drive one until he was in his late 20's; the men who worked at the gas station, the displaced Palestinians who found a permanent home in oman, the jewish man whose son and his family lived in the condominium next to mine, as well as from chatting with private individuals. there are strict rules, but not as strict as in other arab nations, and they have more respect for women, and in fact women's education was a priority. it was both the desire of the people and the authorities that the sultan's face be known to everyone and not be forgotten.
The Sultan is very important in Oman and because it was National Day/Month Sultan Haitham is put in the spotlight. Sultan Qaboos was very loved and ruled for 49 years. So he is not to be forgotten and therefore his picture appears next to Sultan Haitham in many places.
love the collage, ingrid. aces!