Qaboos bin Said (1940-2020) was sultan of Oman from 1970 until his death in 2020. During his reign, he acted as prime minister, minister of defense, and minister of foreign affairs. Qaboos tried to exercise a moderating influence on Arab affairs, and was always favorable toward the United States. He is credited with making Oman a modern state.
Qaboos was born in Oman on Nov. 18, 1940, and educated in the United Kingdom, where he trained as a soldier. After his return to Oman, he was imprisoned in the royal palace by his father, Sultan Said bin Taimur, a strong opponent of modernization.
In July 1970, with British support, Qaboos overthrew his father. He began a cautious program of social reform and economic development. He relied heavily on experts from the United Kingdom. British support also helped the sultan prevent revolutionaries from setting up their own regime. Qaboos developed the oil industry, constructed new irrigation systems, and made many other agricultural improvements. He built roads, schools, and hospitals. Before Qaboos became sultan, few Omani children—and hardly any girls—ever went to school. Qaboos encouraged Omanis to educate their daughters as well as their sons. Qaboos died on Jan. 10, 2020.
