application without providing any reason whatsoever17 The Nationality Law further provides that the courts are not the competent authority to deliberate on citizenship issues and conflicts relating thereto.18 Legislation relating to acquisition of nationality – child’s right to a nationality 29. Pursuant to Article 11 of the Nationality Law, a person shall be deemed an Omani national in the following cases: ‘ 1. If he is born in Oman or abroad and his father, at the time of birth, was an Omani national. 2. If he is born in Oman or abroad and his mother, at the time of birth, was an Omani national and his father was Omani and became stateless. 3. If he is born in Oman or abroad and his mother, at the time of birth, was an alien and his father was Omani and became stateless, provided that the marriage of the parents was previously approved by the Ministry. 4. If he is born in Oman or abroad and his mother, at the time of birth, was an Omani national and the paternity was not confirmed. 5. If he was born in Oman to unknown parents.’ 30. Pursuant to Article 18 of the Nationality Law, a minor child born to an Omani mother and a foreign father may be granted Omani citizenship, if the child meets the following conditions: ‘ 1. The mother shall be widowed, divorced or abandoned by her husband […]. 2. The marriage of the parents should have taken place after obtaining the prior approval from the Ministry […] 4. He should have been residing in Oman for at least ten (10) legitimate continuous years; It shall be noted that the continuous residency period shall not be interrupted if he is travelling outside of Oman for a period that does not exceed sixty (60) days in one year. […]’ Legislation relating to naturalisation of foreign spouses and the dissolution of marriage 31. According to Article (15), an alien has the right to apply for Omani citizenship if he meets the following conditions: ‘ 1. A person should have resided in Oman for at least twenty (20) continuous years or fifteen (15) years if married to an Omani woman provided that their marriage shall have taken place after obtaining approval of the Ministry and he shall have a son from his Omani wife. [...]’ 32. According to Article (16), the foreign wife of an Omani citizen may apply for Omani nationality if she meets the following conditions: ‘1. Her marriage should have taken place after obtaining the prior approval from the Ministry; […] 2. She shall have a son from her Omani husband. 3. She should have been married to her Omani husband and resided with him in Oman for at least ten (10) legitimate continuous years; 17 Nationality Law, 18 Nationality Law, Article 3. Article 4. 6