HISTORY
During the Golden Age of the Persian Empire in the 6th century BC, Oman was the site of many important ports and coastal forts in charge of monitoring trade from India and South-East Asia. Although Oman has been host to empires such as the Portuguese and the Persians, its entirety has never been occupied or subject to foreign rule.
Many coastal regions of Oman were occupied by the Portuguese in 1508, but they were driven out by Yemeni tribes a century later. These Yemeni tribes established the line of sultans which continues to rule the country today.
The majority of inland Oman continued to be ruled by local tribes throughout the brief invasions of coastal ports, giving Oman the title of oldest independent Arab state.
Oman was one of the first countries to accept Islam, and due to its extensive trading and role in various Islamic conquests in the Middle East, it is credited with spreading the religion to the East coast of Africa, India and South-East Asia.
GOVERNMENT
The country is ruled by an hereditary Sultan who appoints Diwans, or a cabinet, to assist and advise him. An elected advisory council was created in 1991, although universal suffrage was only given in 2003. There are no legal political parties in Oman to this day.
Oman has always had good relations with the USA and Britain, and is one of the few Arab states that maintain friendly ties with Iran. It has often acted as a mediator in negotiations for the release of kidnapped or detained Western military and political prisoners in Iran.
Public uprisings, following the protests and violence across the Middle East and North Africa in 2011, have resulted in a number of proposed social reforms, as well as greater political freedoms for the people, by the current sultan, Sultan Qaboos.
ECONOMY
Oman has natural reserves of petroleum, copper and natural gas, on which it has depended greatly over the past two centuries. In recent years, Oman has attempted to diversify its exports and industry, as a result of dwindling reserves and falling oil prices. Both tourism and foreign investment in Oman have seen great increases in the past ten years.
SOCIAL ISSUES
Oman is generally considered to be one of the most developed and modernized countries in the region. Recently, it has faced an increase in unemployment, now at 15%,[1] as well as scrutiny from human rights organisations such as Amnesty International for its treatment of civilian protestors. There have been numerous protests around Oman, particularly in the capital city of Muscat, where 15 protestors were arrested in connection with pro-reform protests, of which six continue to be detained (as of June 2011).[2]
MEDIA
The literacy rate in Oman is an average of 81.4%[3], and internet users make up almost half of the population at 1.45 million. Interference in citizens’ freedom of expression and speech is illegal, although criticism of the monarchy is not permitted, leaving Oman 156th in the world in terms of freedom of the general media.[4]
RELIGION
75% of the 3 million population are Ibadhi Muslim, with the remaining quarter of the population Sunni and Shiite Muslims, as well as Hindus and a very small Christian minority.[5]
Oman is 26th on Open Doors’ Persecution of Christians Watch List.[6]
There is no constitution in Oman, so freedom of religion is not officially granted. However, discrimination on the basis of religion is illegal, instituted following a large influx of foreign migrants in the 1950s. It is, however, against the law to proselytize, as well as print non-Muslim materials within Oman.
Religious organisations must be registered with the state, and are only permitted to practise in designated areas. In the capital city of Muscat, there exist two Christian compounds on which a number of churches and schools are located. Over 98% of Oman’s Christian population are expatriates situated in urban areas, and there are over 100 registered denominations.
PRAYER POINTS
- Pray for continued harmony between the various religions in Oman today, as well as for the leniency and freedom given to the Christians there.
- Pray that Christian worship will not continue to be confined to designated compounds, but may be available to all people.
- Pray for peaceful co-operation between government and people in this time of change and transition.
- Pray that the Omani government follow through on its promises of greater political freedoms and social reforms.
[1] CIA World Factbook
[2] Amnesty International
[3] CIA World Factbook
[4] Freedom House Global Press Freedom Statistics 2010
[5] CIA World Factbook
[6] Open Doors
