Sultan Said bin Taimur السلطان سعيد بن تيمور |
|
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Sultan of Oman | |
Reign | 10 February 1932 – 23 July 1970 |
Predecessor | Taimur bin Feisal |
Successor | Qaboos bin Said |
Born | 13 August 1910 Oman |
Died | 19 October 1972 London, England |
(aged 62)
Burial | Brookwood Cemetery, Woking, England Royal cemetery, Muscat |
Spouse | Sheikha Fatima al-Mashani Sheikha Mazoon al-Mashani |
Issue | Qaboos Bin Said |
Dynasty | Al Said |
Father | Taimur bin Feisal |
Mother | Sheikha Fatima bint 'Ali Al-Sa'id |
Religion | Ibadi Islam |
Sultan Said bin Taimur (13 August 1910 – 19 October 1972) (Arabic: سعيد بن تيمور), (Balochi: سعید بن تیمور) was the sultan of Muscat and Oman (the country later renamed to Oman) from 10 February 1932 until his overthrow on 23 July 1970.
In 1932 at the age of 21 became the 13th Sultan of the Said bin dynasty, replacing his father Taimur bin Feisal. In 1936 he married his second wife, Mashani al-Mashanih (cousin of his first wife, Fatima) who gave birth to Said's only son Qaboos bin Said al Said in 1940. Said consolidated power with the help of the British SAS in regaining control of the tribal interior, bringing together Muscat and Oman. Oman and Muscat then became a fully sovereign and independent state in 1951 under Sultan Taimur. The name would change in 1970 to the Sultanate of Oman.
Once the country was united Said left the capital of Muscat and resided in a coastal town in Dhofar. Said became more reclusive from his people and country. In 1965 after making concessions to export oil with Iraq, Iran and Britain he did little to improve the life of his people.The benefits of this deal would not come to fruition until his removal from power. His conservative policies became the reason Oman had an infant mortality rate of 75%. Trachoma, venereal disease and malnutrition were widespread. There were only 3 schools, with the literacy rate at 5%, and 6 miles of paved roads before the 1970 coup.
Once he became Sultan, Said maintained a friendly relationship with the United States of America. In 1938, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt invited Said and his father to visit the United States. Said landed in San Francisco and began a tour from California to the Washington D.C.. During his visit to the White House President Roosevelt presented him with two books he had written. Said toured the FBI Headquarters, and laid a wreath upon George Washington’s tomb, at Mount Vernon.