Oman's Majlis Ash'shura
By Dr Patricia Groves
The lecture given to the Historical Association of Oman last week on the Majlis Ash’shura by Ahmed al Mukaini was timely, as elections are to be held this autumn for the fifth time since the inception of the Majlis Ash’shura in 1991. The increase in suffrage to include all men and women aged 20 years and above means that over 822,000 Omanis are expected to cast their votes this year.
Ahmed al Mukaini, an official of the Majlis Ash’shura in the Secretariat, Department of Session, had no difficulty in holding the interest of the audience on this complex and potentially dry subject as he approached it through its roots in the age old tribal structure of Oman and the modern concept of democracy. Headed by a wise man (rasheed) or Shaikh, Oman’s tribal councils were composed of scholars, elders and other people of experience and/or wisdom representing the traditional repository of cultural knowledge. Councils evolved around community needs, such as water distribution, the preservation of natural sanctuaries and commercial endeavours, for instance, the souq.
With parallel concerns, though on a different scale, the Majlis Ash’shura has five permanent committees — for Legal affairs; Economic matters; Social affairs; Education and Culture and Services and Local Communities Development. The Ash’shura is headed by a President with two elected Vice-Presidents who, along with six representatives elected from the general membership, form an executive bureau.
Like familiar democratic systems, but at the same time anchored in the cultural traditions of Oman, the Majlis Ash’shura is based on the principle of representation by population according to the districts into which the country is divided. The final selection of members is made from democratically elected candidates in each district. All the while, the deepest roots of the Majlis Ash’shura are in Islam and under the jurisdiction of Sharia law.
It is important to paint the Majlis Ash’shura into the larger picture of the Council of Oman, the super structure containing the Majlis Addawla or State Council as well as the Majlis Ash’shura. The Council of Oman can thus be compared to a bicameral system with the Maljis Ash’shura similar to a lower chamber and the Majlis Addawla as the upper chamber, in some ways like a Senate or House of Lords.
However, as both Majlis are advisory only, there is no mechanism whereby a recommendation from the Majlis Ash’shura could be vetoed by the Majlis Addawla, as is the case in the classic western parliamentary tradition. The Majlis Addawla has 48 members who are distinguished citizens, qualified by long experience in various branches of Government, or other prominent fields and who are appointed by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos.
What does the Majlis Ash’shura do? The functions of the Majlis Ash’shura centre around discussion, evaluation and recommendation regarding the laws, developmental plans and activities of the Government. The Majlis Ash’shura may also make proposals on its own initiative regarding matters in the public interest. Ash’shura members have a right to address questions to Ministers, and to request debate on issues within the competence of the Majlis.
The scope of work for the Majlis Ash’shura and its scale of accomplishment is indicated in a speech given by the President of the Majlis Ash’shura, Shaikh Abdullah bin Ali al Qatabi, in reply to the Royal speech on the occasion of the inauguration of the second term (4th Ash’shura) of the Council of Oman on 4 November 2000. …”over the last three years (the Majlis Ash’shura) has managed to conduct fifteen studies and recommendations that covered various legal, economic and social fields.”
The President of the Majlis Ash’shura goes on to say that the permanent committees have held 120 meetings; and that, in addition, there have been many ad hoc meetings of special, joint and subcommittees and work teams. The Majlis Ash’shura also organised a national symposium on the Simplification of Administrative Procedures in the State. During the same period, eight debates between ministers and Majlis members were broadcast live in public sessions. The deliberations were “very much characterised with concern over and keenness on public national interest”.
More than 74 proposals concerning the development and improvement of public services and utilities were prepared. The Majlis was involved in the preparation of the Five Year Development Plan. And it was during this period that the Majlis spread its wings to venture into international co-operation. All of this represents a fine set of accomplishments in the very short period of three years.
Presently there are 83 members of the Majlis Ash’shura, of whom two are women, both elected from the Governorate of Muscat. Based on a proud heritage, Oman has led the way for other developing nations in the expansion of suffrage, in the introduction of democratic practices, and in the forms of participation allowed for women.
The Majlis Ash’shura advances foreign relations through ties with similar Arab governmental bodies with membership in the Arab Parliamentary Union and the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Conference Member States. Elections are held every three years — and in Oman these days, major changes can occur over a short period of time. As election time approaches this fall, with a greatly expanded registry of voters and fresh new candidates, there will be lots of interest in the evolving complexion of the Majlis Ash’shura.
Heritage at the roots
From the text of the Royal speech by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, at the State Council, 4 November 2000. “Over the past three decades, we have endeavoured to ensure that every step taken by Oman’s Renaissance springs from our deepest reality, that it is inspired by our heritage, religion and values, and that it incorporates those aspects of modern human civilization that are useful.
“That has been our aim, whether this means involving citizens in public affairs in which they take part in the national decision-making process at the state level by putting forward opinions and proposals to the Government, or whether it means improving our economy and raising the living standards of our people so that, with God’s grace and mercy, they are able to enjoy their lives.
“The experiment is moving forward as planned, and in a manner which promises success, as it takes further steps to streamline its regulations, procedures and practices, and to ensure that, with God’s permission, there is further positive, constructive interaction between government and citizens.”
Oman Observer, 8th June 2003
