MUSCAT — Deliberately insulting Oman’s national flag, state emblem or national anthem carries a prison sentence of three months to three years under amendments published in the Official Gazette on Sunday.
Royal Decree No. 99/2026 amends provisions of the Law of the State Flag, Emblem and National Anthem, setting penalties for acts expressing hatred or contempt towards the national symbols.
The amendments prescribe imprisonment for anyone who deliberately insults the flag or state emblem by taking them down, damaging them or committing any other act expressing hatred or contempt.
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The same penalty applies to deliberate insults against the national anthem through speech, writing, gestures, distortion or other acts expressing hatred or contempt.
The decree also amends Article 14 to allow the anthem to be performed at additional venues and occasions designated by the competent authority, subject to approval by the Council of Ministers.
Other changes update the official specifications of the national flag and state emblem, including provisions governing the flag’s dimensions, design and manufacturing materials.
The competent authority will determine the dimensions of flags not specifically covered by the law, along with flagpole sizes and the locations where they may be installed.
