Muscat: In a decisive move to uphold national dignity, the Sultanate of Oman has introduced stringent legal penalties for anyone who disrespects the country’s primary national symbols. His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has issued Royal Decree No. 99/2026, amending key provisions of the Law Concerning the State Flag, Emblem and National Anthem.
Key Highlights of the New Legislation:
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Penalties for Flag and Emblem Desecration: Anyone who deliberately insults Oman’s national flag or state emblem—whether by lowering it, damaging it, destroying it, or engaging in any other action that conveys hatred or contempt—faces a prison sentence ranging from three months to three years.
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Protection of the National Anthem: Under the revised Article 16, these penalties have been extended to protect the national anthem. Anyone who intentionally insults the anthem through verbal remarks, written text, physical gestures, deliberate distortion, or other expressions of contempt will face the same jail terms (three months to three years).
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Updated Specifications: The royal decree also updates and replaces Annexes 1 and 2 of the previous law, detailing the official specifications, dimensions, and standards for both the national flag and the state emblem.
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Expanded Anthem Usage: A new paragraph added to Article 14 permits the national anthem to be performed on additional occasions, in specific places, and under circumstances authorized by the competent authorities, subject to prior approval from the Council of Ministers.
The decree officially repeals any previous laws or provisions that conflict with these new amendments and takes effect the day following its publication in the Official Gazette.
