In a letter to Omani Sultan Haitham Ben Tariq Al Said, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, shared his condolences upon the death of Sultan Qaboos, who ruled Oman for half a century.

“His Majesty’s passing is a tremendous loss for the world,” wrote Tveit. “Sultan Qaboos contributed extensively to peace in the world and did so much to support and protect the freedom of worship for Christians and for people of all faiths.”

Qaboos was an inspiration to Christians, added Tveit. “Our member churches throughout the world join you in mourning and we will continue to pray for Your Majesty and for the people of Oman,” he wrote. "We are at Your Majesty’s service if there is any way that we can be a support.”