40th anniversary celebration of Anglo Omani Society held

2/14/2016 4:25:59 AM

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat-

More than 300 guests recently joined H H Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq al Said and Prince Charles for the 40th anniversary reception of the Anglo Omani Society at Lancaster House in London UK.

Other guests included Tobias Ellwood UK's Minister for Middle East North Africa and Central Asia; H E Jonathan Wilks British Ambassador to Oman; Robert Alston chairman Anglo Omani Society; Maqbool Sultan chairman Omani British Friendship Association and Sir Alan Duncan and Kate Hoey members of parliament a press release stated.

Prince Charles said the Anglo Omani Society was 'a symbol of friendship of one of Britain's warmest and closest relationships'.

He referred to the original words of an agreement between the UK and Oman in 1800 which said the bond between the two nations should be 'unshook till the end of time' adding 'the bond is very much unshook.'

'Nobody embodies this wonderful relationship more than His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said through 45 years of reign and before he has been a staunch friend of the UK as we could ever hope. He has led the near miraculous transformation of Oman from undeveloped state to the peaceful modern and forward looking society it is today.'

He spoke of 'the deep personal friendships between Britons and Omanis' and recalled being struck by the number of people he came into contact with who had a connection with sultanate who 'without exception had huge affection for the country'.

Prince Charles said he particularly welcomed the formation of the Anglo Omani Society's New Generation Group which is working with the Prince's Trust in Oman.

He said the trust following his visit in 2013 is now supporting Riyada mentor entrepreneurs.

Sayyid Shihab said the relationship is empowered by exchanges pointing to Omani students studying in the UK and absorbing its culture.

Tobias said that Oman has flourished from a country with a population of 1mn 40 years ago to four times that number today with half aged under 25. He pointed to the UN Development Programme which credits His Majesty the Sultan for having achieved the highest rate of development of any country in the world in the last 45 years.

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