Oman: overview

Generally speaking the small Gulf nation-state of Oman (عمان) has received very little scholarly or related attention. In fact, a quick search on this nation-state using Google, Bing or other search engine will guide the researcher to small amounts of information, some of which is useful. However, in relation to its neighbours such the UAE or Qatar, Oman receives little to not attention especially by the press. This seems an unfortunate circumstance for, what I have read to date (which is not significant) Oman strikes me as a fascinating nation-state. It would not suffice to review the diverse culture living within its borders, however a brief mention would permit an interesting comparison to the perception most of have of Oman: the Gulf nation consists of Baluchis (predominantly from Pakistan, although some are of Iranian heritage), Persians, Zadjalis (predominantly from Pakistan, around the Sind area), Hindus (predominantly from India, the Sind and Gujarat), Lawatiyya or Khojas (from India and of Shiite practice) and Zanzibaris (from Zanzibar in modern day Tanzania), to name but a few. The diversity, it seems, although having some ramifications in terms of communal integration and acceptance, co-exists in a manner perhaps comparable to Syria or even Morrocco. While a civil war did take place in the 1970s that from many account was gruesome at times, the current climate of Oman is one of a blossoming civil society.
Oman is predominantly (roughly 75-80%)Ibadhi (الاباضية) Muslim which is a sect of Sunni Islam. Some scholars believe it to have developed from Kharajites (خوارج), a strict sect of Islam adherent to the belief that an able leader should guide the Muslim community (ummah) as opposed, generally speaking to the Shi'ite doctrine that the Ummah should be guided by a member of the Prophet Muhammad's family. However, I still need to do further research into this practice of Islam before I can elaborate further. Suffice to say the rest of Omani culture practice other forms of Islam such Shi'ism (Twelver Shi'ism, which is the dominant religion of Iran; and Jafari Shi'ism) while a very small minority of Hindu worshipers, Christians, Zoroastrians and even Bahai's also dwell in Oman.