Upon learning of the news of the Omani leader’s death I immediately thought back to nine years ago, when reporter Paul Beban and I traveled to Oman to explore women’s rights in the modern Arab country. 

Scheduled on the back end of a 13 day voyage aboard an EU naval vessel tracking Somali pirates around the Horn of Africa, this next production was far from easy.  We encountered a number of difficulties, including illness and fatigue leaving us hotel bound at times.

Favorably timed however, our visit coincided with the 70th birthday of the nation’s leader, Sultan Qaboos bin Said. All we spoke to praised the Sultan for his progressive attitudes towards women and his encouragement of their professional endeavors to contribute to the Omani economy and society.