HIS MAJESTY INAUGURATES COUNCIL OF OMAN

HM Sultan Qaboos: MARCH OF DEVELOPMENT WILL CONTINUE

15th, November 2015

We pray to the Almighty Allah to guide us all to success in serving our homeland and to support us with His divine assistance, for He hears and answers prayers. May our dear homeland and its loyal people dwell in delight and bounty, every year –

The achievements made across Oman in various fields are a source of pride. We aspire to continue the blessed march of Renaissance with greater will and determination, and this can only be achieved through collaboration and integration of efforts for the benefit of all –

Manah: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos opened on Sunday the 6th Council of Oman at Hisn al Shumoukh in Manah in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah. His Majesty the Sultan delivered a Royal speech on the occasion in which he expressed pride over the achievements made in Oman and, in particular, valued the efforts of Oman Council in promoting the country’s comprehensive development march. The speech reads as follows:

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Prayer and Peace be upon the Messenger of Mercy to all mankind.

Honourable Members of Oman Council,

We are delighted to meet you on this blessed day to open the Sixth Term of Majlis Oman (Council of Oman), hoping that its tasks will consummate in success while serving this dear homeland.

Honourable Members of Oman Council,

The achievements made across Oman in various fields are a source of pride. We aspire to continue the blessed march of Renaissance with greater will and determination, and this can only be achieved through collaboration and integration of efforts for the benefit of all. We have been closely following up the tasks carried out by Oman Council — through its two bodies of Majlis Ash’shura and the State Council — over the past period. We value the effort exerted by the Council, which has had a tangible effect in contributing to pushing forward the march of comprehensive development towards further progress and prosperity. We pray to the Almighty Allah to guide us all to success in serving our homeland and to support us with His divine assistance, for He hears and answers supplication. Our Lord! In Thee do we trust, and to Thee do we turn in repentance. May our dear homeland and its loyal people dwell in delight and bounty, every year!”

At the outset of the opening session of Oman Council’s Sixth Term, verses of the Holy Quran were read out. The opening ceremony was attended by their highnesses, ministers, advisors, the Chairman of the State Council, the Chairman of Majlis Ash’shura, commanders of the Sultan’s Armed Forces and Royal Oman Police, members of the State Council and Majlis Ash’shura, heads of the diplomatic missions accredited to the Sultanate, shaikhs, dignitaries and editors-in-chief of local press publications and media.

State Council members take oath

16th, November 2015

KABEER YOUSUF –

MUSCAT: The State Council elected two Deputy Chairpersons and four members for the Council Office under the chairmanship of Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh al Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council at the first Session of the 6th State Council at the Majlis Enclave on Tuesday. All the 84 members of the State Council including the 50 newly appointed members took oath at yesterday’s session, according to Article 58 (repeated) 20 of the State’s Basic Law. The Procedural session for the 6th term began yesterday morning under the chair of Dr Al Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council.

“The 1st procedural session of the first annual sitting of the sixth term coincides with the Sultanate’s celebration of the Glorious 45th National Day, and we congratulate the members on the royal confidence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos for appointing them as members in the current term”, Dr Al Mantheri, Chairman of the Council, said in his address.

The election process began with five candidates running for the two deputies’ position.

The first round ended with the election of Shaikh Dr Khatab bin Ghalib al- Hinai with 58 votes, while Dr Suad bint Mohammed al Lawati was elected in the second round with 44 votes. Abdulla al Hosni, who raced with Dr Suad received 38 votes against his previous votes of 34.

During the afternoon session, four members for the Council Office were elected. Musallam bin Ali al Mashani led with 61 votes while Yahya bin Rasheed al Juma secured 59 votes. Nashia bint Saud al Kharousiyah bagged 53 votes and Khalfan bin Saleh al Naabi secured his position with 52 votes and were elected to the membership of the Council office.

Dr Khalid bin Salim al Saeedi, Secretary-General of the State Council, in a statement to Omani News Agency (ONA), said the next stage has a lot of challenges, top on these is low oil prices, adding that this imposes on the Council a new challenge in working with the government to find solutions and to diversify sources of income and not relying on oil as a sole income source.

“We have a lot of challenges in front of us. It varies from education for all, enhancing tourism in the country, and tackling unemployment to making our youth prepared for the future challenges posed by the evolving times”, Dr Ibrahim al Kindi, member of the State Council said.

Sabah al Bahlaniyah, an activist for physical disabilities in the country said that her focus will continue to be on rehabilitating children with disabilities and will pay special attention on women empowerment and public health.

The Council Office will meet on November 19 to discuss the formation of committees. The State Council will meet on November 24 to approve the formation of committees.