Photo by Linda Pappas Funsch At night, the Royal Palace of the current Sultan, Qaboos bin Sa’id Al Sa’id, located on the seacoast of the Omani capital city, Muscat, is a sight to behold. SLIDE SHOW: More photos

A VIDEO INTRODUCTION AUDIO SLIDE SHOW: Drawing from her collection of photos, Linda Pappas Funsch compares her experiences in Oman more than 30 years ago to those of her most recent trip.

For almost 200 years, Oman has stood as one of the most steadfast allies of the United States. Even in recent years, as the region has become increasingly volatile, the Sultanate has maintained a consistently friendly posture toward the United States, diplomatically, economically and militarily.

Cordial relations between the two countries can be traced to 1790. During the presidency of George Washington, the first American ship, the “Rambler,” arrived at the Omani port and capital, Muscat.

The reign of Sultan Sayyid Sa’id in the 1830s marks a period of unprecedented Omani power. Oman enjoyed an expansive empire and one of the most powerful naval fleets in history. The Sultan’s government routinely received American shipmasters with great courtesy. In 1833, Oman and the United States signed their first Treaty of Amity and Commerce.

In 1839, Sultan Sayyid Sa’id commissioned his personal envoy and representative, Ahmad bin Na’aman, to the United States to celebrate this friendship.

Carrying gifts for President Martin Van Buren, Ahmad set off from Muscat aboard the tall-masted ship, “Sultana.” Navigating around the Cape of Good Hope, across the Atlantic and into New York Harbor where, on April 30, 1840, this Omani emissary became the first Arab ambassador to the United States.

The Sultan’s gifts included two Arabian stud horses, an enormous Persian rug, and a gold-mounted sword. Such a grand gesture of Omani largesse caused quite a stir, sparking intense debate concerning the giving of gifts directly to the president. Congress agreed to accept them on the condition that they belong to the U.S. government.

While the horses were sold at auction, the other gifts provided the nucleus of the original exhibits for the newly established Smithsonian Institution in Washington.

During his stay in New York, Ahmad attracted considerable publicity. His dignified demeanor and affable style endeared him to both local press and society. Several articles about him survive in the archives of the New York Daily News and the now-defunct New York Herald, as does a painting of him in the murals of New York’s City Hall. This early guest from a far-off sultanate received many honors rarely bestowed on foreign representatives at that time.