Recognized as one of the world's greatest advocates for peace, the ruler of the State of Oman for nearly 50 years, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said has died late Friday, Oman News Agency has confirmed. 

The Omani ruler had returned home last month after medical check-ups in Belgium.

#ديوان_البلاط_السلطاني يصدر صباح اليوم نعياً فيما يلي نصه :
(يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ*ارْجِعِي إِلَى رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَرْضِيَّةً * فَادْخُلِي فِي عِبَادِي*وَادْخُلِي جَنَّتِي) إلى أبناء الوطن العزيز في كل أرجائه إلى الأمتين العربية والإسلامية وإلى العالم أجمع. pic.twitter.com/FXk8Q7pHI8

— وكالة الأنباء العمانية (@OmanNewsAgency) January 11, 2020

Born on November 18, 1940, Qaboos was a direct descendant of the founder of the Al Bu Said dynasty that created the sultanate in the 1600s, Al Jazeera reported. 

He underwent military training with the British army in Germany before returning to Oman in 1964 to study Islamic law and Oman's history. 

Sultan Qaboos deposed his father in a bloodless coup in 1970 and spearheaded the country's development, pulling it from its most-fragile state and transforming it into a rich, thriving nation in the Gulf region. 

The world has lost its Peacemaker, Sultan Qaboos Al Said. The symbol of calm and reason in a chaotic world.

He made his country move to a unique beat, turning Oman into an impartial host for mediation between global foes.

Sultan Qaboos’s Oman: friends to all, enemy to none.?? pic.twitter.com/jZmm6E9nUd

— Abdulrahman AlEryani (@eryaniar) January 11, 2020

The leader has no children and brothers, meaning there are no direct successors to the throne.

However, Oman's Basic Law obligates that "a successor must come from the royal family and be chosen by a family council within three days of the sultan’s death."

In the case that the family fails to make the decision within the specified time, a sealed envelope left behind by the sultan will be opened. 

The envelope contains the name of the Sultan's preferred successor. 

The country has declared a three day mourning period with flags to be flown at half-mast for 40 days. 

إلى جنات النعيم يا #قابوس
نعزي أنفسنا جميعا في وفاة المغفور له
بإذن الله جلالة السلطان #قابوس_بن_سعيد يرحمه الله ..
فقَدَت الأمة أحد قادتها الحكماء الذين بنوا دولهم وأحبتهم شعوبهم وكانوا رمزاً للاتّزان والعقل ..
وتعازينا الحارة للأشقاء في سلطنة عُمان وفي كل بلدان العالم .. pic.twitter.com/Zr0xKybwxe

— جوعان بن حمد (@JoaanBinHamad) January 11, 2020

--

Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.

Instagram - @qatarliving

Twitter - @qatarliving

Facebook - Qatar Living

Cover Image Credit: Reuters

Source: Al Jazeera