UAE landmarks dazzle in celebration of Oman's 50th National Day

The UAE served up a towering tribute to Oman as its Middle East neighbour celebrated its 50th National Day on Wednesday.

Dubai's Burj Khalifa turned into the world's biggest flag as it lit up in the colours of Oman in honour of the landmark occasion.

The grand Burj Al Arab was bathed in colour to mark UAE-Omani ties in spectacular style while the illuminated Dubai Frame looked picture perfect.

Dubai's newest attraction, the Palm Fountain, was also part of the spectacular celebrations.

In Abu Dhabi, the Adnoc building was a striking sight lit up with Oman's national colours.

Oman's National Day marks the ascension of the late Sultan Qaboos, who reigned from 1970 until his death in January this year.

Will Sultan Haitham bin Tarik start a new renaissance?

UAE to celebrate Oman's landmark 50th National Day on Wednesday

The anniversary this year reflects the remarkable progress ushered in by Sultan Qaboos, who was the longest-ruling Arab monarch.

The festivities are being held under the theme "Oman is from us, and we are among them".

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, paid homage to Oman and Sultan Haitham, for whom the nation's 50th National Day was his first at the helm.

"'Congratulations to Sultan Haitham and the people of Oman on the joyous occasion of Oman's 50th National Day," Sheikh Mohamed said on Twitter.

"The ties uniting our countries continue to be inspired by the astute leadership of our forefathers. We wish for the continued stability and prosperity of your nation."

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch

Power: 710bhp

Torque: 770Nm

Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds

Top Speed: 340km/h

Price: Dh1,000,885

On sale: now

Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.