The Sultan Speaks: Patterns and Practices in Official Statements by Sultan Qaboos and Sultan Haitham

Using the published speeches of the Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said, this paper seeks to examine the evolution of an official public image of the ruler of Oman from 1970-2020, an image that has also served to support the current Sultan Haitham. The first part of the paper focuses on the text and outlines broad divisions in chronology as the Sultan progressed through his reign, refers to the early period of intense building and consolidation of the Sultanate. The second half of the paper considers the way the Sultan’s presentation, in terms of dress, manner and setting, also informed listeners of the wider intent of the Sultan’s message and appealed to varying members of Oman’s society while also emphasizing a larger unifying message. In this way, and over five decades, the Sultan himself becomes a symbol not just of power but also of being Omani. Even as changes were instituted in Oman after his coming to power, Sultan Haitham has been careful to maintain a consistent connection with the “founder” Qaboos by using juxtaposition, image, speech and presentation and associating himself with the legacy of his predecessor.