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Total Area:
212,460 sq. km

Population:
3,001,583 (est. July 2005)
Note: includes 577,293 non-nationals
Ethnicity:

Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Language:
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Religion:
Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu
Government Type:
Monarchy
Capital:
Muscat
Population Below Poverty Line:
Not Available

Persecution News
None Currently Available

Oman is considered the oldest independent state in the Arab world, existing as a sovereign entity since 1650. Through the reign of Sultan Said bin Taimur, the nation remained backward and diplomatically isolated. In 1970, Said was overthrown by his son, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, who repealed his father's oppressive social, economic, and diplomatic policies and quelled a communist uprising in the interior.

In 1996, Qaboos established a charter with political and social reforms, including a ban on discrimination on the basis of sex, ethnicity, religion and social class as well as guarantees of freedom of expression and assembly. However, not all of these reforms have been fully enacted. One of the uncertainties is the future of these reforms, since Qaboos is advancing in age and has no sons to succeed him.

Freedom of expression is very limited in Oman, with state control of all media and government approval is required for all public assemblies. Islam is the state religion; the Christian population (2.5 percent) is almost entirely foreign workers, with perhaps no more than twenty indigenous believers. Churches and Christian activities are permitted for the foreign workers, but converting Muslims to Christianity is forbidden.

Prayer Requests

  • Pray that reforms begun by the Sultan will continue in the years to come and that true freedom will come to Oman.
  • Pray that Christians working in Oman will have opportunities to make meaningful contact with those around them, sharing and demonstrating the love of Christ.