Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Reviews Grand Military Parade on Oman’s National Day
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Supreme Commander of the Sultan’s Armed Forces, presided over the Grand Military Parade at Al Fateh Square in the Governorate of Muscat on Thursday, marking the Sultanate of Oman’s Glorious National Day. The event was attended by Her Highness the Honourable Lady Assayida Ahd Abdullah Hamed Al Busaidi, spouse of the Sultan of Oman.
Upon arrival at the parade ground, His Majesty was received by HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs; Gen. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu’amani, Minister of the Royal Office; and Vice Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al Ra’eesi, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF).
As the Sultan ascended the Royal Dais, participating parade units rendered a military salute, while the joint corps of military bands performed the Royal Anthem. The Sultan of Oman’s Artillery of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO) fired a 21-gun salute in honor of His Majesty. The parade commander, on horseback, requested the Sultan to signal the start of the military parade.
The parade featured units from the Royal Army of Oman (RAO), Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), Royal Guard of Oman (RGO), Sultan’s Special Force (SSF), and Royal Oman Police (ROP), along with joint and mounted military music bands. The corps of military bands from SAF, RGO, ROP, and Royal Court Affairs (RCA) performed a series of musical pieces as the units marched past the Royal Dais, saluting His Majesty.
The Protocols Guard joined the parade, performing ceremonial gestures accompanied by the military bands. This was followed by the camouflage uniform column representing SAF, RGO, SSF, and ROP, which passed before the Royal Dais performing the military salute.
His Majesty also viewed a display by the Firaq Forces of the RAO, featuring traditional Omani folklore chants known as Al Habout, and a mounted musical performance by the cavalry bands. Aerial formations of fighter jets and rotary-wing aircraft then demonstrated the combat efficiency and readiness of the Sultan’s Armed Forces, reflecting the progress achieved under His Majesty’s leadership.
The parade concluded with participants chanting “Faith in Allah, Loyalty to the Sultan, Sacrifice for the Nation”, followed by three exclamations of “Long Live His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the Supreme Commander”. The military bands performed the Royal Anthem as the parade formally ended, after which His Majesty departed the parade ground.
The event was attended by members of the Royal Family, dignitaries of the Al Busaidi family, government ministers, advisers, SAF commanders, military and security leaders, heads of diplomatic missions, members of the State and Shura Councils, senior officers, retired personnel, and citizens, marking a grand celebration of Oman’s National Day and the nation’s military excellence.
