The Council of Oman (Majlis Oman)

The Council of Oman   || The Consultation/Shura Council

The Council of Oman (Majlis Oman) is made up of member of the State Council (Majlis A'Dawla) and Consultation /Shura Council (Majlis A'Shura) as stipulated in Article 58 of the Basic Law of the State. It assists the government in drawing up the general policies of the state. The Council meets at the request of Sultan Qaboos, to study and discuss matters raised by him, taking all its decisions on the basis of a majority vote. Sultan Qaboos addresses all the members of this Council on an annual basis.

The State Council (Majlis A 'Dawla)

The State Council (Majlis A'Dawla) is a financially and administratively independent legal entity based in the Governorate of Muscat. It plays an important role in national development by acting as a link between the government and the people. Its Chairman and members are appointed by Royal Decree from Omani nationals of not less than 40 years of age with good social standing and reputation. Members have often included former ministers. ambassadors and under secretaries. The number of State Council members must not exceed the number of Consulation /Shura Council members and it is not permitted to combine membership of the State Council with membership of the Consultation Council or public office, except under special conditions where a member might be requested for his or her expertise in a particular field.

The State Council has an annual session with duration of not less than eight months. It reviews matters referred to it by the Sultan, drafts laws before promulgation and prepares studies on development-related issues including human resources. In 2006 the Majlis A'Dawla had 59 members of whom nine were women. Membership is for a four-year period and renewable.