Citizens and residents share their experiences about His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, hail the leader’s achievements

Shaimaa Sabry Teacher His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was a messenger of peace. I never had a chance to meet him but I love him for his work and vision. He commanded love and respect. His special smile made all Omanis feel safe. People in Oman fondly called him ‘father’. May Allah bless his soul and send him to the highest paradise.

Ahmed al Kharousi Retired government employee The death of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos is a big loss not only to Oman but also for the Arab countries and to the whole world. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was like the father of Oman. I have met him only once in my life. He was an amazing leader. I will always remember him.

Hesham Talaat Teacher I have lived in Oman for nearly 13 years and never seen any injustice. He built a great country. He was and is still the beloved of all his people. He was a man of peace. I have seen people’s love for him the day he returned after his treatment. Even the children loved him. That is why he really deserves the title of Sultan of hearts.

Yousef al Shayadi Footballer His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was like the father to the country. He is the person behind the modern Oman. He was a unique leader who led the ship of Oman in times of wars. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos stands for love, goodness and peace. His body maybe gone but his pure spirit remains in Oman, on its land, sky, valleys and plains.

Yahya Khalfan Mubarak al Hassani Government employee His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was the father of all Omani people and the architect of modern Oman. He is still alive in everyone’s hearts and will never die. We will continue to build Oman’s bright future by following in his footsteps. May Allah bless his soul and send him to the highest paradise.

Ali al Shayadi Teacher His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was a man of peace. He was and still is the beloved of all people. He was a great man who sacrificed his life to build Oman. He was a brilliant leader who made Oman a peace station from where all region’s problems were resolved.

Dr John Philips Mathew Educational officer The Late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said was the architect of modern Oman. He was a visionary and proponent of peace. He was instrumental in developing the education sector in the country. He was a benevolent ruler loved by citizens and expatriate community in Oman. He will be remembered forever.

Muna Basheer al Zadjali Private sector employee His Majesty Sultan Qaboos will never be forgotten. He did a lot for this country and his people. Modern Oman that we are living in, is the product of his vision. Above all, the world will remember him as a peace-loving leader who not only cared for his country but also world peace.

Abdulaziz Darwish al Zadjali Government employee His Majesty Sultan Qaboos will always be remembered for the way he has worked to develop the country. The modern buildings and monuments that we now see are a result of his efforts. The Late Sultan put the country on the world map with his visionary approach and diplomatic skills.

Saada al Nuumani Homemaker His Majesty Sultan Qaboos will be remembered for his peace motto not only at home but through out the region and the world over. His great wisdom and diplomacy with non-interference policy is what won hearts. He will forever be remembered for his efforts in stabilising the region.

Abdulwahab al Busaidi Head of observatory I have met him personally twice in my life. Once in 1992 and then in 1994. He was an amazing leader. He had an aura that could impress anyone. Oman has come a long way since 1970 and the development is all because of him. He was never in a hurry to decide. Every move he made was measured.

Rashid Sulaiman al Hinai Businessman The demise of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos is a big loss not only to the country but to the whole world. He cared for his countrymen, his neighbours, be it near or far, like a loving father. His words were a great learning for me. We have come a long way from what we were in 1970. He will live in the heart of every Omani forever.

Saif al Rashaidi Information advisor His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was the father of the nation. It is very difficult to explain what he meant to us. I met him once in the wilayat of Suwaiq on the eve of National Day. I shook hands with him once, a moment I can’t describe. His priority was always education and he laid a strong foundation for it.

Sulaiman al Akhazmi Director General I owe it to him for whatever I have gained and learnt. His ways of dealing with any situation was very different. Our future generations should follow in his path if they want the  country to grow. Oman has come a long way since he came to power. We are at par with other countries of the world today because of him.

Sulaiman al Khalili Head of media He will always be remembered as the father of the nation. I had the chance to see him closely during my college days at the Sultan Qaboos University and as a child when he used to tour wilayats. We would stand on the side of the roads and wave at him. He too would wave at us as he drove. He was a leader par excellence.

Rashmi Sahay Private sector employee I shall always remember His Majesty Sultan Qaboos as Baba Qaboos. He maintained peace and harmony not just in Oman but also in the region. We as expatriates never felt away from home due to his friendly policies and the warmth of the citizens. He will always inspire generations to come.

Dr Emily Shotter Communications head A great leader’s loss is a matter of grief. The father of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was an inspirational leader, who made unprecedented contributions to international relations, peace and the development of the country. Having been in Oman for 12 years, I feel very much part of the country. I will miss him deeply.

Bader al Harthy Private sector employee The news was shocking, but God’s will is above everything. He was a man of peace – a man under whom we always felt safe. He promised to keep his people safe and always did so. He united all sects in order to advance this great country. We only say what pleases God. We belong to God, and to Him we will return.

Katrin Herz General manager His Majesty Sultan Qaboos built the beautiful palace [Al Bustan] we operate as a luxury hotel nowadays. Our staff has always been very proud to work in this landmark hotel, as they looked up to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. We are all humbled and grateful to have worked under his era.

Arvind Iyer Medical travel consultant His Majesty Sultan Qaboos had a unique personality unmatched in the entire world. His energy is unmatched. He kept the harmony of this country intact. Fondly called Baba Qaboos, he was an epitome of peace for the entire region. He shall be eternally missed.