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79-511: Muttrah had an estimated population of about 8,000 people when diplomat Edmund Roberts visited in the early 1830s. The district population was 234,225 as of the 2016 Census, up from 200,578 in 2014, making it the most densely populated district in the nation. The Sūr al-Luwātiyah neighborhood is home to the al-Luwātiyah tribe, which speaks the Indo-Aryan Luwati language . The language and people were first mentioned historically by

158-539: A captain . Robert Hopkins Miller says Roberts lost his accumulated wealth in a series of misfortunes, but succeeded in 1823 in being appointed US Consul at Demerara . However, Miller erroneously places Demerara on the east coast of Africa, and does not mention the Demerara rebellion of 1823 . "The 1823 revolt had a special significance...[in that i]t attracted attention in Britain inside and outside Parliament to

237-486: A maritime pilot after settling on a fee of thirteen dollars and a bottle of rum. Americans arriving at the port of Canton City were treated much the same as other foreigners willing to conduct trade through the co-hong , Chinese mercantile houses granted imperial monopolies in foreign commerce. The trade was lucrative, but foreign traders were social and political inferiors, with no guarantees for their lives, property, or rights of trade or residence. While this rankled

316-466: A Persian Gulf dispute that saw Saudi Arabia and its allies impose an embargo on Qatar in 2017. In October 2018, Qaboos invited Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Oman, despite his country not having official diplomatic ties with Israel. Netanyahu was the first Israeli prime minister to visit Oman since Shimon Peres in 1996. Qaboos financed the construction or maintenance of

395-623: A degree of secrecy regarding his personal life. His choice to remain single, along with the rumors regarding his private relationships, added an element of ambiguity to his persona. From 2014, Qaboos suffered from colon cancer , for which he received treatment. On 14 December 2019, he was reported to be terminally ill with a short time to live after his stay for medical treatment in UZ Leuven in Belgium and returned home because he wanted to die in his own country. He died on 10 January 2020 at

474-482: A few expatriate friends such as Tim Landon . Sultan Said said that he would not allow his son to be involved with the developing planning process, and Qaboos began to make known his desire for change—which was quietly supported by his expatriate visitors. Qaboos acceded to the throne on 23 July 1970 following a successful coup against his father , with the aim of ending the country's isolation and using its oil revenue for modernization and development. He declared that

553-610: A half-orphan in his mother's care. Young Edmund at age 13 received through his congressman a Midshipman's warrant in the United States Navy , but waived the appointment at his mother's wish for him to remain at home while she lived. Roberts set out to sea in 1800, eventually residing in London until age 24. Returning in 1808, he married Miss Catherine Whipple Langdon — daughter of Judge Woodbury Langdon and niece of Governor John Langdon , both of whom were engaged in

632-549: A number of mosques, notably the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque , as well as the holy places of other religions. Through a donation to UNESCO in the early 1990s, Qaboos funded the Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation , to afford recognition to outstanding contributions in the management or preservation of the environment. The prize has been awarded biannually since 1991. Qaboos

711-623: A personal friend, of the aggravations endured by American shipping, that might be alleviated by negotiating commercial treaties. The stage was set for Roberts diplomatic career by Salem's trade with China and the East Indies . Pursuits of members of the East India Marine Society , established in 1799 and composed of those who had sailed beyond the Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn as masters or supercargoes contributed to

790-536: A polished diplomat, but were written "for a general American audience to acquaint them with the realities of a far-off land and culture" – subsequently collected and republished as Two Yankee Diplomats In 1830s Siam. Qaboos bin Said Qaboos bin Said Al Said ( Arabic : قابوس بن سعيد آل سعيد , IPA: [qaː.buːs bin sa.ʕiːd ʔaːl sa.ʕiːd] ; 18 November 1940 – 10 January 2020)

869-406: A population dependent on subsistence farming and fishing. Qaboos modernized the country using oil revenues. Schools and hospitals were built, and a modern infrastructure was laid down, with hundreds of kilometres of new roads paved, a telecommunications network established, projects for a port and airport that had begun prior to his reign were completed and a second port was built, and electrification

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948-751: A retired commander of the Royal Navy of Oman ; and Haitham bin Tariq, Minister of Heritage and National Culture. On 11 January 2020, Oman state TV said the Royal Family Council, in a letter to the Defense Council, had decided to defer to the choice that Qaboos named in his will, and thus had opened the letter by Qaboos naming his successor, announcing shortly that Haitham bin Tariq is the country's ruling sultan. Haitham has two sons and two daughters. In June 2022, his Service Medal of

1027-477: A rise in living standards and development in the country, the abolition of slavery, the end of the Dhofar Rebellion , and the promulgation of Oman's constitution . Suffering from poor health in later life, Qaboos died in 2020. He had no children, so he entailed the royal court to reach consensus on a successor upon his death. As a precaution, he hid a letter which named his successor in case an agreement

1106-582: A series of protests in the Persian Gulf country of Oman that occurred as part of the revolutionary wave popularly known as the " Arab Spring ". The protesters demanded salary increases, lower living costs, the creation of more jobs and a reduction in corruption. Protests in Sohar , Oman's fifth-largest city, centered on the Globe Roundabout . The Sultan's responses included the dismissal of

1185-399: A sheet of paper, sat down to write. I immediately observed to him, that it was necessary to commence with a whole sheet.... Having determined to give them, in the first place, the names of all the counties, and the two hundred and odd towns in my native state, as well as the mountains, rivers, and lakes, which would supply the places of titles, and then, if they were not satisfied, to proceed in

1264-545: A sign of respect. Boris Johnson said that "He was an exceptionally wise and respected leader who will be missed enormously. He will be remembered for his devotion to the development of Oman into a stable and prosperous nation, and as the father of the nation who sought to improve the lives of the Omani people." Unlike the heads of other Arab states of the Persian Gulf , Qaboos did not publicly name an heir . Article 6 of

1343-487: A third of the governing cabinet. According to CBS News , 19 June 2011, Several protest leaders have been detained and released in rolling waves of arrests during the Arab Spring, and dissatisfaction with the state of affairs in the country is high. While disgruntlement amongst the populace is obvious, the extreme dearth of foreign press coverage and lack of general press freedom there leaves it unclear as to whether

1422-420: A well-earned reputation as shrewd dealers : they have little confidence in each other; every contract of importance must be 'fixed,' and made sure by the payment of a stipulated sum : but they place the most unlimited confidence in the integrity of their foreign customers"(pg. 128) Roberts devoted most of Chapters VI to XVII to history, customs and governance of the "Celestial Kingdom", and leaves it to

1501-568: A world tour chaperoned by Leslie Chauncy. Upon his return in 1966, he was placed under virtual house arrest in Al Hosn Palace in Salalah by his father. Here he was kept isolated from government affairs, except for occasional briefings by his father's personal advisers. Qaboos studied Islam and the history of his country. His personal relationships were limited to a handpicked group of palace officials who were sons of his father's advisors and

1580-616: The Battle of Dhank in October 1879, before being killed in battle at Muttrah in January 1871. Muttrah is also a map in a popular Battlefield 2 mod, Project Reality . It was also featured on The Amazing Race in the eighth episode of its 17th season . 23°37′N 58°34′E  /  23.617°N 58.567°E  / 23.617; 58.567 Edmund Roberts (diplomat) Edmund Roberts (June 29, 1784 – June 12, 1836)

1659-778: The New England triangular trade between Portsmouth, the Caribbean and London; and among Portsmouth's wealthiest and most politically connected citizens. Of the couple's 11 children, 8 survived their parents. New Hampshire (with only 16 miles (26 km) of coastline) and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine are credited with shaping Roberts' character. Roberts entered the New England triangular trade as shipowner and his own supercargo , but never as

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1738-672: The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , he served briefly in the British Army . He returned to Oman in 1966 and was the subject of considerable restrictions from his father. In 1970, Qaboos ascended to the Omani throne after overthrowing his father in a coup d'état , with British support. The country was subsequently renamed the Sultanate of Oman . As sultan, Qaboos implemented a policy of modernization and ended Oman's international isolation. His reign saw

1817-487: The constitution says the Royal Family Council has three days to choose a new sultan from the date the position falls vacant. If the Royal Family Council fails to agree, a letter containing a name penned by Sultan Qaboos should be opened in the presence of the Defence Council of military and security officials, supreme court chiefs, and heads of the upper and lower houses of the consultative assemblies. Analysts saw

1896-665: The "Royal Solo" in his honour. He was also a patron of local folk musician Salim Rashid Suri , whom he made a cultural consultant. On 22 March 1976, Qaboos married his first cousin Sayyida Nawwal bint Tariq Al Said (born 1951), the daughter of his uncle Sayyid Tariq bin Taimur and Sayyida Shawana bint Nasir Al Busaidiyah. Nawwal was renamed Kamila at the time of her marriage and is the half-sister of Qaboos' successor, Haitham bin Tariq . The marriage ended in divorce in 1979 and produced no children. In September 1995, Qaboos

1975-539: The Cape Horn and made Bencoolen on 23 August 1833; the Dutch Resident reported Potomac had completed her mission, thus freeing Peacock to continue Roberts' quest for intelligence . Pursuant to orders to gather information before going to Cochinchina, Peacock sailed for Manila by way of Long Island and Crokatoa , where hot springs found on the eastern side of the islands 150 feet (46 m) from

2054-786: The English, Americans and others were unwilling to meddle, lest that bring about what they feared most — a trade embargo. Congress under Captain John D. Henley , the first US naval vessel to call on China, arrived on 3 November 1819 at Lintin Island . Chinese officials, alarmed at the arrival of a warship, commanded her captain not to enter the Pearl River . Advised by the U.S. consul that no adverse action would be taken, Captain Henley boldly entered to re-provision his ship. In January 1830,

2133-633: The Navy and saw an opportunity. As Potomac was departing the schooner Boxer was nearing commissioning ; Peacock , outfitted for exploration but due to lack of funds diverted to duty in the West Indies, had returned for re-fit. Woodbury convinced Jackson to send both 10-gun ships to support Potomac – with Roberts as Jackson's "special agent". Secretary of State Edward Livingston 's "Instructions to Special Agent Edmund Roberts" signed 27 January 1832, ordering him to embark upon Peacock in

2212-405: The Navy department. There is no indication that Finch's report was forwarded to State, or that Roberts had seen it, even though conditions were practically the same in all nearby "Sinicized" tributary kingdoms, i.e., conduct oneself circumspectly, with no guarantees one way or the other. In the latter months of 1832, Roberts visited Macao and Canton City, where he notes, "The Chinese merchants have

2291-512: The Omani historian Ibn Ruzayq. The Luwātiyah appeared to have settled in Oman in waves of immigration from Sindh between 1780 and 1880, bringing the language with them. They insularized themselves in Sūr al-Luwātiyah, preserving their language. They have worked in the incense ( بخور ), jewelry and clothes businesses as well as in general trade. In the predominantly Ibadi Sunni arena of Oman, they make up

2370-674: The United States and Iran. Qaboos helped mediate secret US-Iran talks in 2013 that led two years later to the international nuclear pact , from which the United States withdrew in 2018. In 2011, Qaboos facilitated the release of American hikers who were held by Iran , paying $ 1 million for their freedom. Oman did not join the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen against the Houthis in 2015, and did not take sides in

2449-729: The accession of HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said who inaugurated a new era of maritime commerce and prosperity in Oman when he established Mina Qaboos (now Port Sultan Qaboos) in 1974. Port Sultan Qaboos has been operated and managed by Port Services Corporation S.A.O.G. since November 1976. Until 1981, the traffic was essentially conventional cargo. With the advent of containerisation, PSQ developed two of its berths to handle container vessels and these facilities were fully operational by 1983–1984. PSC embarked on computerization of its operations and back office in 1984. The first system to handle container movements became operational from 1985 to 1999. Thereafter

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2528-589: The age of 79 at his personal residence, Al Baraka Palace , just outside Muscat. The following day, the government declared three days of national mourning and said the country's flag would be flown at half-staff for a period of 40 days and declared the halt of official work in the public and private sectors for three days. Kuwait , Saudi Arabia , Qatar , United Arab Emirates , Bahrain , Jordan , Lebanon , and Egypt all declared three days of mourning; India and Bangladesh declared one day of mourning. The United Kingdom lowered flags to half-mast as

2607-571: The agency have been defrayed out of the contingent fund for foreign intercourse ". In mid-February 1832, Boxer was dispatched to Liberia . with orders to join Peacock off the coast of Brazil , but the ships failed to rendezvous until 5 June 1834 – in the unhealthy roadstead of Batavia . In March 1832, Peacock sailed for Brazil under Commander David Geisinger , with Francis Baylies appointed chargé d'affaires to Buenos Aires and secret agent Roberts. His published account follows

2686-530: The bar of Hue due to the East Asian Monsoon . Arriving off the bay on 1 January 1833, contrary winds from the northwest rather than the expected northeast quarter, coupled with a strong southward current caused the ship to lose ground on every tack, until on January 6, she sailed into an unknown bay which proved to host Phú Yên Province 's Vung-lam harbour. A raggedly-dressed and dirty old man came on board there who appeared to be somewhat superior to

2765-467: The beginnings of US international relations during the period of 1788 to 1845. From 1826 to 1832, John Shillaber, American consul in Batavia , sent a series of letters suggesting that he be empowered to negotiate trade treaties. Martin van Buren replied in a letter dated 13 December 1830, sent over the signature of clerk Daniel Brent , requesting a more precise knowledge of the nature and character of

2844-519: The best available materials to build the market at that time. Today, the Muscat Municipality has renovated and decorated the market to maintain the popular style but has also introduced modern amenities and redecorated the market heavily to attract tourists and make the shopping experience comfortable for tourists as well as other ordinary shoppers. The market becomes more crowded and active during Eid seasons when Omanis come from all over

2923-625: The board of the Central Bank of Oman . All legislation since 1970 has been promulgated through royal decrees, including the 1996 Basic Law. The sultan appoints judges, and can grant pardons and commute sentences. The sultan's authority is inviolable. Qaboos' closest advisors were reportedly security and intelligence professionals within the Palace Office , headed by General Sultan bin Mohammed al Numani. The 2011 Omani protests were

3002-526: The command of Commodore Edmund P. Kennedy . A bill for the settlement of the accounts of Edmund Roberts, late diplomatic agent of the United States to Cochin China, Muscat, and Siam, proposed that his legal representatives be authorized to draw the salary of a chargé d'affaires , without the outfit, less the per diem already paid, from the time of his appointment January 27, 1832, until six months after his death June 13, 1836. Roberts' account of his mission

3081-417: The computer applications were enhanced to cover all back office operations including invoicing and accounts. In the early 1990s, the port infrastructure was further enhanced. Two more berths were converted to handle multipurpose vessels including container vessels and were equipped with additional three quay-side gantry cranes. The marshaling yard and empty yard was provided with rubber tyred gantries. On date,

3160-659: The counties of Rockingham, Strafford, Merrimack.... The opening line subsequently appears above his signature to the treaty he successfully negotiates with Thailand. Roberts' interest in becoming a diplomat was sparked by an earlier visit around 1827 to Said bin Sultan, Sultan of Muscat and Oman . A treaty with the Sultan was signed at Muscat on September 21, 1833. Naval surgeon William Ruschenberger (1807–1895) commissioned on Peacock , commanded by lieutenant Cornelius Stribling , accompanied by Schooner Enterprise , lieutenants commanding A. S. Campbell; both under

3239-539: The country to buy garments and jewelry. The main thoroughfare of the souq carries mainly household goods, shoes and ready-made garments. Further inside, there are mixed smells of frankincense , perfume oils, fresh jasmine , and spices. There are also tiny shops (on the side streets and alleyways leading up to the souq) with Omani silver, stalls of white dishdashas and embroidered kumahs , brightly colored cloth, and multicolored head scarves . Shoppers can even obtain old Arabian muskets at these souqs. Other items sold at

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3318-813: The country would no longer be known as Muscat and Oman , but would change its name to "the Sultanate of Oman" in order to better reflect its political unity. The coup was supported by the British, with Ian Cobain writing that it was "planned in London by MI6 and by civil servants at the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office " and sanctioned by the Prime Minister, Harold Wilson . The first pressing problem that Qaboos bin Said faced as sultan

3397-666: The court of Minh Mạng in Vietnam for a second attempt at negotiation. He fell seriously ill with dysentery and died in Portuguese Macau , which precluded his becoming America's first envoy to Edo Japan . Roberts was born 29 June 1784 to Sarah Griffiths of Portsmouth, New Hampshire , and Royal Navy Captain Edmund Roberts, who died 15 November 1787 and was interred in North Cemetery leaving his son

3476-400: The fishermen who brought him. Rather disconcerted at not being offered a seat, he expressed a desire to leave. Once it was learned that he was the principal person in the village, he was invited down to a seat on the gun-deck, where he was closely questioned as to just where the ship was and the extent of government and defenses. Being informed the ship bore an envoy anxious to reach the capital,

3555-536: The founder and editor-in-chief of the e-magazine Mowatin "Citizen", disappeared after going to the police station in the Al-Qurum district of Muscat, only to be pardoned some time later. Under Qaboos, Oman fostered closer ties with Iran than other Arab states of the Persian Gulf , and was careful to appear neutral and maintain a balance between the West and Iran. As a result, Oman often acted as an intermediary between

3634-522: The general outline of that published two years previously of East India Company agent John Crawfurd 's 1822 mission to Siam and Cochinchina. Roberts, in both his report to State and in his journal, cites page 269 of his copy of Mr. Crawford [ sic ] – page 414 in Crawfurd's second edition. Boxer having failed to show by the time appointed, orders were left at Montevideo for her to join up at Bencoolen . Peacock sailed by way of

3713-481: The governments in question, and more details on difficulties encountered. Matters came to a head after Charles Moses Endicott, master of the merchantman Friendship of Salem, engaged in the spice trade on the Sumatran coast, returned to report the brig Governor Endicott , also of Salem, and James Monroe of New York, had recaptured his ship from pirates who had plundered her, murdering several crewmen. In

3792-496: The guise of the captain's clerk , his mission's purpose concealed except from the captain and those with a need to know ; while in passage he was to gather as much as possible of the knowledge previously requested of Shillaber; his duties as envoy would then begin at Cochin-China. Livingston added a postscript that Roberts is to receive $ 6 per diem . Jackson later explained to the Senate in his message of 30 May 1834, "The expenses of

3871-922: The main commercial ports in Oman . It is Oman's premier maritime gateway, enjoying a prime location in the politically stable sultanate. Situated in a natural harbour 250 km south of the Strait of Hormuz on the Indian Ocean coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Port Sultan Qaboos' location makes it an ideal hub, not only for the Persian Gulf but also the Indian sub-continent and markets in East and South Africa. The location of Port Sultan Qaboos offers considerable savings in steaming time when compared to other ports. The port's tariff compares very favorably with others across

3950-531: The majority of the local Shia population. In the mid 19th century, Muttrah had a vessel repair industry. Al Dhalam ("Darkness" in English) Souq is the local name for the Muttrah Souq. The Muttrah Souq is one of the oldest marketplaces in Oman dating back two hundred years. It is located adjacent to the harbor of Muscat and has seen immense trade in the age of sail, being strategically located on

4029-460: The old man cheerfully said the ship might return northward to it in three or four days. This remark was forgotten at the time, and ruefully recalled after the mission failed to receive an official invitation to Hue. Roberts attributes subsequent misunderstandings to their national vanity and prejudices, and gives a detailed record of his own. Miller says a modern Vietnamese suggests Roberts seemed to lack "diplomatic flexibility," and his descriptions of

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4108-404: The people are "denuded of all goodwill and understanding." Roberts died before publication of his account, without having had a chance to revise it. As published, he reports playing a joke on court deputies when pressed for his titles, which in the usage of the day, were usually quite long.) I at once concluded to humour them.... The principal deputy having prepared his Chinese pencil and half

4187-609: The port is an ideal transshipment hub for the upper Persian Gulf and Red Sea ports trade flows. In early 1971, Muttrah witnessed the end of Imam Azzan bin Qais , who had been the Imam of Oman between 1868 and 1871. Bin Qaid had deposed his cousin, Salim bin Thuwaini , and declared a short-lived Ibadi imamate in Oman. He fought and lost against Salim's uncle, Sayyid Turki bin Said , at

4266-405: The port of Zanzibar in October 1827, and the next year, had an audience with the newly arrived Said bin Sultan, Sultan of Muscat and Oman , who was so anxious to counterbalance British influence that he asked Roberts to escort some vessels to the United States to petition for trade. Roberts promised to bring the matter up with his Government. Upon returning, he wrote U.S. Senator Levi Woodbury ,

4345-423: The protesters want the sultan to leave, or simply want their government to function better. Beyond the recent protests, there is concern about succession in the country, as there is no heir apparent or any clear legislation on who may be the next Sultan. The Sultan did give token concession to protesters yet detained social media activists. In August 2014, The Omani writer and human rights defender Mohammed Alfazari,

4424-455: The reader to conclude why "Celestials" have little confidence in one another. He engages John Robert Morrison as Chinese translator and personal secretary, who was to return by way of Singapore. Six weeks after arriving at Linting, and after enduring several days of rainy and squally weather, Peacock sailed for the bay of Turan ( Da Nang ) as the best point to communicate with Huế , about fifty miles distant, it being impossible to anchor off

4503-529: The region. The already impressive infrastructure, skilled manpower, fast and efficient handling operations and documentation clearance system in PSC will be further enhanced this year. During the reign of Sayyid Sultan bin Ahmed in the 18th century, Oman's trading activity again increased and the capital area's two harbours — Muscat and Mutrah — diversified, Mutrah was quickly established as a commercial port while Muscat

4582-505: The rules as an elaborate means of Qaboos securing his choice for successor without causing controversy by making it public during his lifetime, since it was considered unlikely that the royal family would be able to agree on a successor on its own. Qaboos had no children, and only one sister, Sayyida Umaima (who predeceased him in 2002), but no male siblings; there are other male members of the Omani royal family including paternal uncles and their families. Using same-generation primogeniture ,

4661-493: The same manner with all the other states in the Union... &c., would probably occupy them for some days, if they had had sufficient perseverance to proceed to the end of what I intended should be endless. I then commenced as follows, Mr. Morrison acting as interpreter and frequently translator: Edmund Roberts, a special envoy from the United States, and a citizen of Portsmouth, in the state of New Hampshire. I then proceeded with

4740-644: The shore boiled furiously up, through many fathoms of water. Peacock ' s marine chronometers proving useless, she threaded the Sunda Strait by dead reckoning . Diarrhea and dysentery were prevalent among the crew from Angier to Manila. After a fortnight there, cholera struck, despite the overall cleanliness of the ship. Peacock lost seven men; many who recovered died of other diseases. No new case of cholera occurred after she got under way 2 November 1833 for Macau. Within two leagues (9.7 km) of Lamma Island or Wanshan Archipelago , she took aboard

4819-410: The sloop-of-war Vincennes under Commander William B. Finch , then on America's first global circumnavigation , remained over a fortnight at Canton, where American merchants advised him that an annual naval visit would be valuable – if their commanders would show "the same deference toward the customs of China, and conciliatory disposition as exhibited by yourself", which Finch duly reports to

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4898-465: The souq include Omani pots, paintings, hookah pipes, framed khanjar s (daggers), leatherwork, and incense . The souq goes by various names: Market of Darkness, due to its myriad of alleys and roads lined by shops that block the sun during the day. The east and west parts are also known as "the small market" and "the large market". Commonly called the Muscat Port, Port Sultan Qaboos is one of

4977-404: The successor to Qaboos would appear to be the children of his late uncle Sayyid Tariq bin Taimur , Oman's first prime minister and the Sultan's former father-in-law. Oman watchers believed the top contenders to succeed Qaboos were three of Tariq's sons: Asa'ad bin Tariq , Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation and the Sultan's special representative; Shihab bin Tariq ,

5056-410: The sunlight to enter. The market was a source of supply for Omanis where they could buy their needs in the 1960s when life requirements were simpler than today. Most of the goods were imported, in addition to local products like textiles, fruit, vegetables and dates. In the past, the market was built from mud and palm leaves, which suit the high temperatures and the hard climate conditions and hence were

5135-401: The symphonic ensemble . They play locally and traveled abroad with the Sultan. Argentine composer Lalo Schifrin was commissioned to compose a work entitled Symphonic Impressions of Oman . Qaboos was particularly enthusiastic about the pipe organ . The Royal Opera House Muscat features the second largest mobile pipe organ in the world, which has three specially made organ stops , named

5214-543: The terrible evil slavery and the need to abolish it." Roberts' own account mentions neither Demerara nor the slave revolt but his palpable aversion to slavery colors his negotiating stance, where subjects act as slaves to the king). By 1827, nearly impoverished by depredations of French and Spanish privateers on his ships in the West Indies , he chartered Mary Ann to trade in the Indian Ocean . Roberts arrived in

5293-466: The wake of public outcry, President Jackson ordered Commodore John Downes of the frigate Potomac , which had been preparing to sail for the west coast, to proceed instead on the first Sumatran expedition , departing New York harbor on 19 August 1831. Roberts’ friend Woodbury, who as senator had been pressing for increased naval appropriations when he received Robert's letter on the need for trade negotiations, had just become Jackson's Secretary of

5372-419: The way to India and China . It was named after darkness because of the crowded stalls and lanes where the sunrays do not infiltrate during the day and the shoppers need lamps to know their destinations. The name of the market has been drawn specifically from the part that extends from Al Lawatiya Mosque to Khour Bimba where the place is really full of stores and stalls and the narrow area of lanes does not allow

5451-412: Was Sultan of Oman from 23 July 1970 until his death in 2020. A fifteenth-generation descendant of the founder of the House of Al Said , he was the longest-serving leader in the Middle East and Arab world at the time of his death, having ruled for almost half a century. The only son of Said bin Taimur , Sultan of Muscat and Oman , Qaboos was educated in Suffolk , England . After graduating from

5530-478: Was a Muslim of the Ibadi denomination, which has traditionally ruled Oman. Although Oman is predominantly Muslim, the Sultan granted freedom of religion in the country and financed the construction of four Catholic and Protestant churches in the country as well as several Hindu temples. The Sultan was an avid fan and promoter of classical music . His 120-member orchestra consists entirely of young Omanis who, since 1986, audition as children and grow up as members of

5609-616: Was achieved. The government also began to search for new water resources and built a desalination plant, and the government encouraged the growth of private enterprise, especially in development projects. Banks, hotels, insurance companies, and print media began to appear as the country developed economically. The Omani riyal was established as the national currency, replacing the Indian rupee and Maria Theresa thaler . Later, additional ports were built, and universities were opened. In his first year in power, Qaboos also abolished slavery in Oman . The political system which Qaboos established

5688-436: Was an absolute monarchy . The Sultan's birthday, 18 November, is celebrated as Oman's national holiday. The first day of his reign, 23 July, is celebrated as Renaissance Day. Oman has no system of checks and balances, and thus no separation of powers . All power was concentrated in the Sultan during his reign, and he served as chief of staff of the armed forces, minister of defence, minister of foreign affairs and chairman of

5767-696: Was an American diplomat. Appointed by President Andrew Jackson , he served as the United States ' first envoy to the Far East , and went on USS Peacock on non-resident diplomatic missions to the courts of Cochinchina , Thailand ("Siam") and Muscat and Oman during the years 1832–6. Roberts concluded treaties with Thailand and Said bin Sultan, Sultan of Muscat and Oman , ratified in Washington, D.C. 30 June 1834. He returned in 1836 to exchange ratifications with Oman and Thailand and to

5846-621: Was an armed communist insurgency from South Yemen , the Dhofar Rebellion (1962–1976). The sultanate eventually defeated the incursion with help from the Shah of Iran , Jordanian troops sent by his friend King Hussein of Jordan , British Special Forces and the Royal Air Force . There were few rudiments of a modern state when Qaboos took power. Oman was a poorly developed country, severely lacking in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, with only 10 km (6 mi) of paved roads and

5925-625: Was involved in a car accident in Salalah just outside his palace, which killed one of his most prominent and influential ministers, the deputy prime minister for finance and economy , Qais Bin Abdul Munim Al Zawawi . Qaboos owned several yachts administered by the Oman Royal Yacht Squadron , including Al Said and Fulk Al Salamah , two of the world's largest yachts . Qaboos was known for maintaining

6004-577: Was not achieved. After his death the royal court decided to view Qaboos's letter and named his intended successor, his cousin Haitham bin Tariq , as sultan. Qaboos bin Said was born in the southern city of Salalah in Dhofar on 18 November 1940 as the only son of Sultan Said bin Taimur Al Said and Mazoon bint Ahmad Al Mashani . He received his primary and secondary education at Salalah, and

6083-843: Was published posthumously; his papers were placed on deposit by the Portsmouth Historical Society in July 1991. His mission was commemorated in a historical perspective on gifts to the United States of America at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History . Roberts is also known for having requested issues of 1804-dated American Turban Head eagles and the Draped Bust dollars (the famous 1804 dollar ) as parts of presentation proof coinage to be carried on his second mission. Neither Roberts' nor Ruschenberger's accounts are those of

6162-809: Was sent to a private educational establishment at Bury St Edmunds in England at age 16. At 20, he entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst . After graduating from Sandhurst in September 1962, he joined the British Army and was posted to the 1st Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) , serving with them in Germany for one year. He also held a staff appointment with the British Army. After his military service, Qaboos studied local government subjects in England and then completed his education with

6241-411: Was used for naval operations. The ruler's son Sayyid Said continued to expand maritime commerce although it again went into decline after his death in 1856. Maritime activity was limited to the import of essential items, mainly from India by old-style wooden dhows. Ships had to anchor offshore and sometimes wait for days before cargo could be unloaded manually into small boats. This was all to change with

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