Oman

Here are a few pictures from the country of Oman.

1) Downtown Muscat, roundabouts are beautified by artistic designs.

2) This donkey had a limp leg and barely made it across the street.

3) Can't drive through the desert without seeing camels!

4) The downtown seashore view

5) Downtown Old Muscat



Surprisingly, this nation once had a vast empire that covered Dar al-salaam or present day Tanzania, Kenya, coastal territory around Iran/Pakistan and some other African Nations along the coast. Hence, you will find a very pluralistic and multi-cultural society, ranging from 1st-5th generation Africans, 2nd-4th generation Baluchis from Iran and Pakistan to the locals. Swahili, Urdu and the Native Arabic are the main languages spoken. Also came to know of Ibadi Muslims, here is a link for more information.
Ibadi Islam Here is a bit more historical information of Oman from Wikipedia.

Islam had reached Oman within Muhammad's lifetime. By the middle of the eighth century AD, Omanis were practicing a unique brand of the faith, Ibadhism, which remains a majority sect only in Oman. Ibadhism has been characterized as "moderate conservatism," with tenets that are a mixture of both austerity and tolerance.

The Portuguese occupied Muscat for a 140-year period (1508–1648), arriving a decade after Vasco da Gama discovered the seaway to India. In need of an outpost to protect their sea lanes, the Europeans built up and fortified the city, where remnants of their colonial architectural style still remain.

The Ottomans drove out the Portuguese, but were pushed out themselves about a century later (1741) by the leader of a Yemeni tribe, who began the current line of ruling sultans. After one last, brief invasion a few years later by Persia, Oman was free for good of foreign-occupying powers.


Map of Oman Isolated from their Arab neighbors by the desert, the Omanis became an economic power in the early 1800s, largely by using their position on the Indian Ocean and seafaring knowledge gained from the Portuguese to gain access to foreign lands. They took control of the coasts of present-day Iran and Pakistan, colonized Zanzibar and Kenyan seaports, brought back enslaved Africans, and sent boats trading as far as the Malay Peninsula.

At this time, the country became known as Muscat and Oman*, denoting two centers of power, not just the capital and the interior but also the sultan and the imam, the Ibadhist spiritual leader.

The British slowly brought about a collapse of Muscat and Oman's "empire" by the end of the nineteenth century without use of force. Through gradual encroachment on its overseas holdings economically and politically, they caused Oman to retreat to its homeland. In time Britain held such sway in Muscat and Oman itself that it became in effect, and later in fact, a British protectorate.

Having control of the country's military, the British helped subdue rebel tribesmen in the 1950s, driving most into Yemen. But the sultan ran a repressive regime, with laws forbidding numerous activities, including the building and even repair of his subjects' own homes without permission. In 1970, almost certainly with British backing, he was overthrown by his son, the present ruler, Qaboos bin Said Al Said, and the country declared independence the following year as the Sultanate of Oman.

Qaboos is generally regarded as a benevolent absolute ruler, who has improved the country economically and socially. Oman has maintained peaceful ties on the Arabian Peninsula ever since ending another tribal rebellion in the southwest in 1982 by forging a treaty with Yemen. Oman's oil revenue has been consistently invested in the national infrastructure, particularly roads, schools, hospitals, and utilities. More then ever, the country is poised to take advantage of its strategic trade location on the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf to further its economic growth and role in the world.

It seems as though few Ibadis actually know their beliefs and the Hanafi (Predominant Islamic School of Thought) and other Islamic School of thoughts cooperate find as everyone observes salat (prayer) together and the remainder of pillars (Ramadan, Hajj, Zakat, etc.) are all observed. Allahu-Alim (God Knows Best).

Muscat, the capital of Oman is definitely a place to visit and a secret tourist destination in the Middle East. With it's clear beaches, clean streets, beautiful landscape and low-rise buildings it is a peaceful destination and not to mention the hospitality and kindness of the locals.