When it comes to the countries of the Arabian Peninsula, the general reaction is one of suspicion toward these states and their culture, often seen as closed and sectarian.
The Sultanate of Oman, an example of tolerance
Not many people know that, among the Gulf countries, the Sultanate of Oman is the only one to have preserved religious traditions dating back to the Islamization of the Arabian Peninsula (7th century AD), which have shaped the country and its relations with the outside world.
Described by *The Economist* as “a country apart” in the Arabian Peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman has, especially in recent years, strengthened its reputation as a tolerant nation open to other religions.
For this reason, one of the most interesting aspects of the Sultanate is the religious makeup of its society: Oman is the only country where Ibadis form the majority and represent the main religious denomination.
The Ibadis constitute the only surviving branch of the Kharijites, the Islamic religious movement positioned midway between Sunnis and Shiites.
Like the other Kharijites (from whom they differ in their moderation and rejection of violence), the Ibadis believe that leadership of the community does not necessarily belong to a descendant of the Prophet, but rather to the one who is most worthy from a religious standpoint, regardless of lineage or ethnic background.
Religious tolerance is evident throughout the Sultanate, where followers of other religions—be they Christians, Hindus, or Buddhists—are respected in their rights and have places of worship available to them. In Muscat, in fact, alongside mosques, there are also churches, Hindu temples, and Buddhist temples.
Another example of the Sultanate’s tolerance and openness to the world is its foreign policy.
Since his rise to power in 1970, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said adopted a policy of openness and cooperation with all the Gulf countries, whether Sunni or Shia majority.
For this reason, Oman serves as an ideal intermediary in Middle Eastern disputes and in dialogue between the West and the East.
The Ibadi rejection of violence has also influenced Sultan Qaboos’s decision to keep Oman out of the Arab coalition in the recent conflicts in Yemen and Syria.
Visitors to the Sultanate are asked to observe just one thing: respect for the local culture and beliefs. So, remember the saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”—it’s important for tourists to keep in mind that they are in Muscat, not Miami!
