Muscat – The visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi to Oman will not only boost ties in political and economic spheres but is also significantly important for people-to-people contact. The historical relations between the sultanate and Egypt go back 3,500 years.

According to Yousuf bin Alawi, former Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs who steered Oman’s diplomacy for over two decades, ‘Egypt is the pillar of the Arab nation’.

“Egypt is also the platform that brings the Arab nation together. Its role is recognised,” Alawi said during President Sisi’s first visit to Oman in 2018.
The unique relationship between Oman and Egypt has been nurtured since the 1970s when education was a top priority. In the early 70s, as the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said set the vision for the renaissance march, Egyptians played a big role.

According to businessman Yousuf al Shidhany, many Omanis learnt from Egyptian teachers. “They played a big role in different fields, but more so in education. Egyptian teachers played a big role big at all levels of education. This is in addition to their expertise in different areas as they worked alongside Omanis in both the government and private sector,” he said, adding that now is the time to explore more areas that will benefit both countries and their peoples.

In January 2020 when Sultan Qaboos passed away, President Sisi declared three days of mourning. Egypt’s House of Representatives also declared an official mourning period with flags at half-mast for three days in honour of the deceased sultan.

H E Khalid Abdul Halim Radi, Ambassador of Egypt to Oman, said, “Every Egyptian has love and respect for the Omani people. I believe Egyptian-Omani relations will witness more cooperation and progress in the coming years.”
Under the late Sultan Qaboos, relations between the two countries continued to evolve, both seeking further cooperation and development. His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik is currently pursuing the same policy to consolidate relations.

“Egyptians have had a positive impact on Omanis, particularly in the education sector, from way back in the 1970s to 1990s because during this period, there were no Omani teachers. Many of the teachers were from Egypt,” said Salalah-based entrepreneur Ahmed Barham.

Independent business consultant Khalfan al Tauqi is grateful for all that he learnt from his Egyptian teachers. “The Egyptians came in groups – the first one comprising teachers, followed by medical professionals. They went to all parts of the sultanate; not only cities but villages and remote places, too, to help people and to be by their side.”

Tauqi described the Egyptians as highly qualified in many professions including medicine, engineering and law. “We love their expertise. We Omanis also prefer to go to Egypt for our higher studies,” he added.

Tauqi informed that business contacts are expanding between the two countries. “Egypt is like a reference point for many Omanis in many fields and professions. Many Omanis who finished elementary and primary education in Egypt continue to have very good relations with the country,” he said.

Businessman Nasser al Hosni suggests Omanis invest in the tourism sector in Egypt because it has many of the world’s most famous heritage sites.

“Egypt also has the River Nile and a lot of coastal cities with many international hotels. There are a lot of opportunities there that can increase income for Oman and create more cooperation between the two countries,” Hosni said.

With both Oman and Egypt supporting stability and peace in the Middle East and the wider world, Egypt has played a fundamental role, especially in the Palestinian issue and other Arab causes.

This historic meeting between the brotherly nations is expected to strengthen relations manifold.