His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Sultan of Oman, today issued a royal decree to replace words in the Omani national anthem that were referring to his late predecessor Qaboos bin Saeed, the day after the end of the official mourning period.
The official news agency reported that the new sultan issued a decree "to amend Annex 3 attached to the Law of the State Flag, Emblem and National Anthem".
According to the decree, the words of the hymn that were referring to the late Sultan, "the glad tidings of Qaboos came, will be blessed by the sky as wide and met with supplication" with new words: "So raise the importance of heaven and fill the bright universe as wide and blessed with prosperity."
The decree stated:
Article 1: It is replaced by item "First" of Appendix No. (3) attached to a law
The country's flag, emblem and national anthem referred to above, the attached item
Decree.
Article Two: Anything that violates this decree, or that contradicts its provisions, will be canceled.
Article Three: This decree is published in the Official Gazette, and it is enforced by
The date of its release.