LEADERSHIP3 Years Jail for Insulting Oman National Anthem

Up to 3 Years Jail Introduced for Insulting Oman's National Anthem

Deliberately insulting Oman‘s national anthem now carries a prison sentence ranging from three months to three years. Sultan Haitham bin Tarik issued the penalty under Royal Decree No. 99 of 2026, which amends the existing Law on the State Flag, Emblem and National Anthem (Royal Decree No. 53/2004).

The newly enacted amendments extend the state’s legal protections for national symbols, bringing penalties for disrespecting the anthem inline with existing punishments for desecrating the national flag or state emblem.

Covered Offenses and Regulatory Changes