Sultan Haitham bin Tarek of Oman signed a decree facilitating marriages between Omanis and foreigners. Until now, Omanis wishing to marry people with another nationality had to obtain permission.
Mixed marriages were prohibited by default, except for unions with citizens of the Gulf countries. Couples who broke the rule were subject to a fine and this made it difficult to recognize their children, says RFI's Mohammed Al-Husain. The only limits imposed: marriages must comply with Islamic law and public order, he says.