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

The Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab will be lit up in the colours of the Omani flag while visitors from the Sultanate will be greeted with flowers

An Omani uses his phone to take a picture as he stands on the lawn before the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman's capital, lit up with the national colours on the occasion of the Omani national day. AFP

Vehicles drive along a main road past a building of the Oman Arab Bank, lit up with the national colours on the occasion of the Omani national day AFP

An Omani child wearing a scarf showing the faces of Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq (R) and his predecessor the late Qaboos bin Said (L) as he waves a national flag while standing on the lawn before the Royal Opera House Muscat in the capital, lit up with the national colours on the occasion of the national day. AFP

Bikers drive down a street in the Omani capital Muscat, on November 14, 2020, as part of the 50th National Day celebrations. AFP

Bikers drive down a street in the Omani capital Muscat, on November 14, 2020, as part of the 50th National Day celebrations. AFP

Bikers drive down a street in the Omani capital Muscat, on November 14, 2020, as part of the 50th National Day celebrations. AFP

A view of the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman's capital, lit up with the national colours on the occasion of the Omani national day. AFP

Indian residents of Oman pose for a picture on the lawn before the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman's capital, lit up with the national colours on the occasion of the Omani national day. AFP

The UAE will celebrate its long-standing friendship with Oman in spectacular style as the neighbouring country gears up for its 50th National Day on Wednesday.

Key landmarks across the Emirates – from the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab to Dubai's newest attraction, the Palm Fountain – will be bathed in the colours of the Omani flag in honour of the occasion.

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

This year's event will reflect on the remarkable progress ushered in by Sultan Qaboos, who was the longest-ruling Arab monarch.

The festivities will take place 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, offered his congratulations on Twitter.

This year's National Day comes after border restrictions that were in place for eight months due to Covid-19 were lifted this week.

As of November 16, Omani citizens can travel to the UAE via land borders without having to request permission to do so.

Omani visitors arriving in the Emirates will be welcomed not only with open arms on Wednesday – but with flowers and souvenirs.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said bolstering Emirati-Omani ties remained a key priority for the UAE.

Both countries have undergone rapid political, economic, cultural and social development under their respective leadership in recent decades.

"Oman is from us, and we are among them. They are our siblings, and we have long-term mutual ties that we are proud of, which are being reinforced by our people daily," said Sheikh Mohammed.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed had previously spoken of the special bond between the countries

"The relations between the UAE and Oman are and will always be strong, as our peoples have historic ties based on solid foundations of shared geographical location, mutual traditions, kinship relations and other factors, which have given our bilateral ties a special nature," he said.

The links between the UAE and Oman only grew stronger when the seven emirates were united to form the UAE in 1971.

The UAE and Oman have since worked side by side, bound not only by proximity but shared ambitions.