Oman's Sultan Haitham pardons prisoners before 52nd National Day

Sultanate announces holidays for public and private sector employees to mark annual celebration

Oman's Sultan Haitham is expected to attend a military parade in Dhofar as part of the National Day celebrations. Reuters

Oman's Sultan Haitham on Thursday issued pardons to 175 prisoners.

A source at the Royal Oman Police said 65 of the inmates were foreign citizens.

The pardons coincide with Oman's 52nd National Day, which the sultanate will celebrate on Friday.

The directive is in line with humanitarian efforts to ease the burden on their families.

Arab leaders free thousands of prisoners each year in a show of compassion to mark public holidays and festivals including Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr.

Oman has announced that November 30 and December 1 will be holidays for employees in the public and private sectors to mark National Day.

Celebrations began on Wednesday in the southern Dhofar governorate, with officials attending a march.

Sultan Haitham is expected to attend a military parade in the governorate on Friday, Oman's state news agency reported.

An Omani uses his phone to take a picture as he stands on the lawn before the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman's capital, lit up with the national colours on the occasion of the Omani national day. AFP

Vehicles drive along a main road past a building of the Oman Arab Bank, lit up with the national colours on the occasion of the Omani national day AFP

An Omani child wearing a scarf showing the faces of Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq (R) and his predecessor the late Qaboos bin Said (L) as he waves a national flag while standing on the lawn before the Royal Opera House Muscat in the capital, lit up with the national colours on the occasion of the national day. AFP

Bikers drive down a street in the Omani capital Muscat, on November 14, 2020, as part of the 50th National Day celebrations. AFP

Bikers drive down a street in the Omani capital Muscat, on November 14, 2020, as part of the 50th National Day celebrations. AFP

Bikers drive down a street in the Omani capital Muscat, on November 14, 2020, as part of the 50th National Day celebrations. AFP

A view of the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman's capital, lit up with the national colours on the occasion of the Omani national day. AFP

Indian residents of Oman pose for a picture on the lawn before the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman's capital, lit up with the national colours on the occasion of the Omani national day. AFP