Omanis remember Sultan Qaboos on anniversary of his death

'Qaboos in our hearts' hashtag used in Twitter tributes to long-time ruler

Omani leader Sultan Qaboos bin Said attends the opening of the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in 2007. AFP

Oman's Sultan Qaboos walks with UAE President Sheikh Zayed in Sohar, Oman, in 1999. Wam / AFP

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, left, meets with Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sultan of Oman, during an official visit to Oman in 2013. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates's President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, right, walks with Oman's leader Sultan Qaboos bin Said upon his arrival to Al Ain Airport in 2011. Wam

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid and Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman held talks on bilateral ties at the Zabeel Palace in Dubai in 2012. Wam

Sultan Qaboos bin Said in 1975. AP Photo

Oman's Sultan Qaboos Bin Said is pictured during a cabinet meeting at the royal palace in Muscat. Sultan Qaboos, who ruled Oman for almost half a century, has died at the age of 79. AFP

Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said welcomes Britain's Queen Elizabeth II upon her arrival at Muscat in 2010. Sultan Qaboos, who ruled Oman for almost half a century, has died at the age of 79. AFP

Jordan's King Abdullah welcomes Sultan Qaboos of Oman on his arrival at Aqaba airport in 1999. Reuters

Sultan Qaboos of Oman escorts US President Bill Clinton upon his arrival to Oman airport. Sultan Qaboos, who ruled Oman for almost half a century, has died at the age of 79. AFP

Sultan Qaboos bin Said greets French President Nicolas Sarkozy upon his arrival in Muscat. Sultan Qaboos, who ruled Oman for almost half a century, has died at the age of 79. AFP

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with Oman's Sultan Qaboos during a recent visit to Muscat. Sultan Qaboos, who ruled Oman for almost half a century, has died at the age of 79. AP

Sultan Qaboos Bin Said of Oman attending the country's National Day in Muscat. Sultan Qaboos, who ruled Oman for almost half a century, has died at the age of 79. AFP

Portrait of Qaboos Bin Said Al Said, the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, in military uniform, circa 1970. Sultan Qaboos, who ruled Oman for almost half a century, has died at the age of 79. Getty Images

Omani Sultan Qaboos greets South African President Nelson Mandela in 1999 upon his arrival in Muscat at the start of a short tour of the Gulf to promote investments in South Africa. Sultan Qaboos, who ruled Oman for almost half a century, has died at the age of 79. AFP

Queen Elizabeth II walks with the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Qaboos bin Said Al Said, after arriving in Muscat, Oman in 2010. Sultan Qaboos, who ruled Oman for almost half a century, has died at the age of 79. Getty Images

Sultan Qaboos of Oman has returning home after traveling to Belgium for a medical check-up. Sultan Qaboos, who ruled Oman for almost half a century, has died at the age of 79. AP

Omanis celebrated the life of Sultan Qaboos on Tuesday, three years after his death at the age of 79 in 2020.

Social media posts with the hashtag “Qaboos in our Hearts” accompanied words and archival footage of the long-time ruler.

“The 10th of January, an important day in Oman with a deep sorrow in the hearts of its people. Our loyal father has departed, leaving behind a great, immortal legacy,” Twitter user Al Sheibah Khalfan wrote, along with a video of Sultan Qaboos in military uniform.

Hameed Al Blooshi posted a poem, with black and white photos of Sultan Qaboos in his youth and pictures of his funeral.

“We miss you father on a night like this,” part of the poem said.

Former Shura Council member Ishaq Alsiabi recalled a conversation he had with Sultan Qaboos when Mr Alsiabi was seven years old.

“Golden moments that cannot be forgotten. With his humility Sultan Qaboos planted in our hearts loyalty and love. So he will always remain #Qaboos in our hearts,” he wrote.

The Port of Salalah's official account quoted Sultan Qaboos's calls for environmental preservation.

“'We must cherish and preserve this land from all those who wish to tamper with its beautiful, God-given nature.' Immortal words uttered by Sultan Qaboos on Omani Environment Day,” a post read.

Lecturer and PhD student Yusuf Al Hasani said: “You were and still are the father whose love is endless” along with a video of the Sultan and Surat Al Fatiha, often read by Muslims over the dead.

People from neighbouring countries also joined in remembrance.

Saudi writer Khaled Al Sabe wrote: “The Sultan of peace, the Sultan of hearts. This man who created a great nation and delivered the trust and departed. He left behind a strong, solid and cohesive country with the whole world. May your soul rest in peace, the greatest and purest of men.”