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115-755: It is located in Al-Mutawa'a District in central Al-Ain, and east of Al-Jahili District. The border between Al-Ain City and the Omani town of Al Buraimi is to the northwest. Al Ain Oasis is the city’s largest and, dating back more 4,000 years.The oasis covers more than 1,200 hectares and contains more than 147,000 date palm trees producing 100 varieties of date. Adjacent to the oasis are Al Ain National Museum and Sultan Bin Zayed Fort to

230-694: A UNESCO World Heritage site , dramatically illustrates that the incense constituted testimony to South Arabian civilizations. During the 8th century BCE, it is believed that the Yaarub, the descendant of Qahtan , ruled the entire region of Yemen, including Oman. Wathil bin Himyar bin Abd-Shams (Saba) bin Yashjub ( Yaman ) bin Yarub bin Qahtan later ruled Oman. It is thus believed that

345-554: A boycott of Israeli products in an effort to pressure Israel into ending the occupation of the Palestinian territories . At a 2013 meeting in Conakry , Guinea, Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said that foreign ministers would discuss the possibility of cutting ties with any state that recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel or that moves its embassy to its environs. At

460-766: A high-income economy and as of 2023 Oman ranks as the 48th most peaceful country in the world according to the Global Peace Index . The oldest known written mention of "Oman" is on a tomb in the Mleiha Archeological Center in the United Arab Emirates. The name "Oman" is thought to be several centuries older than Pliny the Elder ’s reference to "Omana" or Ptolemy 's reference to "Omanon". ( Ὄμανον ἐμπόριον in Greek ), Both of those references are probably to

575-498: A suicide-bombing attack by a Muslim militant in Jammu and Kashmir killed over 40 Indian soldiers, for which responsibility was claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed , a Pakistan-based terrorist group . In March 2019, India conducted airstrikes in Pakistani territory , which subsequently led to the 2019 India–Pakistan military standoff . After these events, Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj

690-598: A sultan , with power passed down through the male line. Qaboos bin Said was the Sultan from 1970 until his death on 10 January 2020. Qaboos, who died childless, had named his cousin, Haitham bin Tariq , as his successor in a letter, and the ruling family confirmed him as the new Sultan of Oman. Formerly a maritime empire, Oman is the oldest continuously independent state in the Arab world . It

805-626: A December 2017 extraordinary meeting held in response US President Donald Trump 's decision to recognize Jerusalem, the "Istanbul Declaration on Freedom for Al Quds". was adopted. In September 2019, the OIC condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's plans to annex the eastern portion of the occupied West Bank known as the Jordan Valley . In January 2024, the OIC expressed support for South Africa's ICJ genocide case against Israel. Islam

920-586: A coalition of American Muslim groups criticized OIC for failing to speak up to prevent the abuse of the Uyghurs and accused member states of being influenced by Chinese power. The groups included the Council on American-Islamic Relations . In March 2012, the United Nations Human Rights Council held its first discussion of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, following

1035-565: A fire was started in the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Amin al-Husseini , the former Mufti of Jerusalem, called the arson a "Jewish crime" and called for all Muslim heads of state to convene a summit. The fire, which "destroyed part of the old wooden roof and an 800-year-old pulpit" was blamed on the mental illness of perpetrator Australian Christian fundamentalist Denis Michael Rohan  – by Israel, and on Zionists and Zionism by

1150-598: A founding member. India pushed for the OIC to accept it as a member state, arguing that Indian Muslims comprise 11% of the world's Muslim population; Pakistan has staunchly opposed this. Pakistan cites its conflict with India over the Kashmir region as its rationale. It frequently accuses India of perpetrating human rights abuses against Kashmiris in the Indian-administered territory of Jammu and Kashmir . The region has experienced an ongoing militant uprising since

1265-665: A request that has not led to any results. During a meeting in Malaysia in April 2002, delegates discussed terrorism but failed to reach a definition of it. They rejected, however, any description of the Palestinian fight with Israel as terrorism. Their declaration was explicit: "We reject any attempt to link terrorism to the struggle of the Palestinian people in the exercise of their inalienable right to establish their independent state with Al-Quds Al-Shrif ( Jerusalem ) as its capital." In fact, at

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1380-576: A result of monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean, leaving the summer air saturated with cool moisture and heavy fog. Summer temperatures in Salalah range from 20 to 30 °C (68.0 to 86.0 °F)—relatively cool compared to northern Oman. The mountain areas receive more rainfall, and annual rainfall on the higher parts of the Jabal Akhdar probably exceeds 400 millimetres (16 in). Low temperatures in

1495-467: A son of the late Sayyid Said bin Sultan, and brother of Sultan Barghash of Zanzibar , who Britain deemed to be more acceptable. Oman's Imam Sultan, defeated ruler of Muscat, was granted sovereignty over Gwadar , an area of modern-day Pakistan. The British empire was keen to dominate southeast Arabia to stifle the growing power of other European states and to curb the Omani maritime power that grew during

1610-465: A system of indirect governance. By the end of the 19th century, and with the loss of its African dominions and its revenues, British influence increased to the point that the sultans became heavily dependent on British loans and signed declarations to consult the British government on all important matters. The Sultanate thus came de facto under the British sphere. Zanzibar was a valuable property as

1725-876: Is a member of the United Nations , the Arab League , the Gulf Cooperation Council , the Non-Aligned Movement , and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation . It has oil reserves ranked 22nd globally. In 2010, the United Nations Development Programme ranked Oman as the most-improved country in the world in terms of development during the preceding 40 years. A portion of its economy involves tourism and trading fish, dates and other agricultural produce. The World Bank categorizes Oman as

1840-554: Is a part, separate the country into two distinct regions: the interior, and the coastal area dominated by the capital, Muscat. The British imperial development over Muscat and Oman during the 19th century led to the renewed revival of the cause of the Imamate in the interior of Oman, which has appeared in cycles for more than 1,200 years in Oman. The British Political Agent, who resided in Muscat, owed

1955-585: Is acting special envoy. He was appointed on 13 February 2015. In an investigation of the accuracy of a series of chain emails, Snopes.com reported that during the October 2003 – April 2004 session of the General Assembly, 17 individual members of the OIC voted against the United States 88% of the time. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has 57 members, 56 of which are also member states of

2070-615: Is an ancient system dating back thousands of years and is used widely in Oman , UAE , India , Iran , and other countries. This United Arab Emirates location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Oman Oman , officially the Sultanate of Oman , is a country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia . It overlooks the mouth of

2185-410: Is concerned by OIC's apparent unwillingness to recognise as terrorism acts that serve causes endorsed by their member states. Article 2 reads: "Peoples' struggle including armed struggle against foreign occupation, aggression, colonialism, and hegemony, aimed at liberation and self-determination." HRW suggested that OIC embrace "longstanding and universally recognised international human rights standards",

2300-414: Is outside the generally accepted concept of terrorism. In HRW's view, it labels, or could easily be used to label, as terrorist actions, acts of peaceful expression, association, and assembly. Legal scholar Ben Saul argued that the definition is subjective and ambiguous and concluded that it left a "serious danger of the abusive use of terrorist prosecutions against political opponents" and others. HRW

2415-529: Is the second-largest religion in India after Hinduism . Over 200 million Muslims constitute approximately 15% of the country's population. India has the largest Muslim population other than Muslim-majority or Islamic states . However, India's relationship with Pakistan (an Islamic state ), has featured hostilities and armed conflict since the 1947 Partition of India . The poor relationship between them impacted India–OIC relations due to Pakistan 's status as

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2530-433: The 2006 Lebanon War , "state after state from the OIC took the floor to denounce the experts for daring to look beyond Israeli violations to discuss Hezbollah 's as well. OIC demands that the council "should work cooperatively with abusive governments rather than condemn them." HRW responded that this works with those who are willing to cooperate; others exploit the passivity. OIC has been criticised for failing to discuss

2645-540: The Arab Spring uprisings that were taking place throughout the region, protests occurred in Oman during the early months of 2011. While they did not call for the ousting of the regime, demonstrators demanded political reforms, improved living conditions and the creation of more jobs. They were dispersed by riot police in February 2011. Sultan Qaboos reacted by promising jobs and benefits. In October 2011, elections were held to

2760-508: The Fujairah coast. 52 crew members died, with the sole survivor, Matrosengefreiter Günther Schmidt, taken aboard HMIS Hiravati near Khor Fakkan and made a prisoner of war . The wreck is now a popular recreational diving site. The December 1951 Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation (covering commerce, oil reserves and navigation) between Oman and the United Kingdom recognized

2875-566: The Fujairah road. Within the Madha exclave is a UAE enclave called Nahwa , belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah , situated about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) west of the town of New Madha, and consisting of about forty houses with a clinic and telephone exchange. The central desert of Oman is a source of meteorites for scientific analysis. Like the rest of the Persian Gulf, Oman generally has one of

2990-858: The Kaaba , the Globe, and the Crescent. On 5 August 1990, 45 foreign ministers of the OIC adopted the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam to provide guidance in matters of human rights in as much as they are compatible with Sharia (Quranic Law). The Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUOICM) was established in Iran in 1999, and its head office is situated in Tehran . Only OIC members are entitled to membership in

3105-520: The Muslim majority provinces of Pattani , Yala , and Narathiwat in the south of the country. In a statement issued on 18 October 2005, secretary-general Ihsanoglu vocalised concern over the continuing conflict in the south that "claimed the lives of innocent people and forced the migration of local people out of their places". He stressed that the Thai government's security approach to the crisis would aggravate

3220-526: The Organisation of the Islamic Conference , is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1969. It consists of 57 member states , 48 of which are Muslim-majority . The organisation claims to be "the collective voice of the Muslim world " and works to "safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony". OIC has permanent delegations to

3335-706: The Persian Gulf . It shares land borders with Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates , and Yemen . The capital and largest city is Muscat . Oman has a population of about 5.28 million as of 2024, which is a 4.60% population increase from 2023. and is the 123rd most-populous country . The coast faces the Arabian Sea on the southeast, and the Gulf of Oman on the northeast. The Madha and Musandam exclaves are surrounded by United Arab Emirates on their land borders, with

3450-554: The Seljuk Empire . During the 11th and 12th centuries, the Omani coast was in the sphere of influence of the Seljuk Empire . They were expelled in 1154, when the Nabhani dynasty came to power. The Nabhanis ruled as muluk , or kings, while the Imams were reduced to largely symbolic significance. The capital of the dynasty was Bahla . The Banu Nabhan controlled the trade in frankincense on

3565-690: The Strait of Hormuz (which it shares with Iran) and the Gulf of Oman forming Musandam's coastal boundaries. From the 17th century, the Omani Sultanate was an empire , vying with the Portuguese and British empires for influence in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. At its peak in the 19th century, Omani influence and control extended across the Strait of Hormuz to Iran and Pakistan, and as far south as Zanzibar . In

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3680-776: The United Arab Emirates from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation requested the removal of LGBT associations from 2016 High Level Meeting on Ending AIDS , sparking protests by the United States , Canada , the European Union and LGBT communities . The Astana Declaration is a policy guidance adopted by OIC members at the Astana Summit. The Astana Declaration commits members to increase investment in science and technology, education, eradicate extreme poverty, and implement UN Sustainable Development Goals . In 1999, OIC adopted

3795-407: The United Nations and the European Union . Its official languages are Arabic , English , and French . It operates affiliated, specialized, and subsidiary organs within the framework of OIC Charter . Member states had a collective population of over 1.8 billion as of 2015, accounting for just under a quarter of the world's population. The collective area is 31.66 m km . On 21 August 1969,

3910-544: The 'Question of Oman' and report back to the General Assembly. The UN General Assembly adopted the 'Question of Oman' resolution in 1965, 1966 and again in 1967 that called upon the British government to cease all repressive action against the locals, end British control over Oman and reaffirmed the inalienable right of the Omani people to self-determination and independence. In the Dhofar War , which began in 1963, pro- Soviet forces were pitted against government troops. As

4025-627: The 1650s in expelling the Portuguese from their coastal domains in Oman. The Omanis over time established a maritime empire that pursued the Portuguese and expelled them from all their possessions in East Africa, which were then incorporated into the Omani domains. To capture Zanzibar Saif bin Sultan , the Imam of Oman, pressed down the Swahili Coast . A major obstacle to his progress was Fort Jesus , housing

4140-460: The 17th century. The British empire over time, starting from the late 18th century, began to establish a series of treaties with the sultans with the objective of advancing British political and economic interest in Muscat, while granting the sultans military protection. In 1798, the first treaty between the British East India Company and the Albusaidi dynasty was signed by Sayyid Sultan bin Ahmed. The treaty aimed to block commercial competition of

4255-421: The 1980s. The OIC has been urged to press India on the Kashmir dispute, and has faced pushback from Indian officials for occasional references to Jammu and Kashmir. Historically, the Muslim world has largely lent its support to Pakistan on the issue. The first OIC summit held in 1969 in Rabat did not address the dispute, while granting India membership was discussed. The head of the Indian delegation addressed

4370-560: The 19th century. In particular, the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the Caliphate after World War I left a vacuum. According to its charter, the OIC aims to preserve Islamic social and economic values; promote solidarity amongst member states; increase cooperation in social, economic, cultural, scientific, and political areas; uphold international peace and security; and advance education, particularly in science and technology. The OIC emblem contains three main elements that reflect its vision and mission as incorporated in its Charter:

4485-423: The 2011 passage of a resolution supporting LGBT rights proposed by the Republic of South Africa . Pakistan's representative addressed the session on behalf of the OIC, denouncing the discussion and questioning the concept of sexual orientation, which he said promoted "licentious behaviour ... against the fundamental teachings of various religions, including Islam". He stated that the council should not discuss

4600-415: The 20th century, the sultanate came under the influence of the United Kingdom . For over 300 years, the relations built between the two empires were based on mutual benefit. The UK recognized Oman's geographical importance as a trading hub that secured British trading-lanes in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean and protected London's interests in the Indian sub-continent. Oman is an absolute monarchy led by

4715-512: The 38th Council of Foreign Ministers meeting (CFM) in Astana, Kazakhstan, the organisation changed its name from Organisation of the Islamic Conference ( Arabic : منظمة المؤتمر الإسلامي ; French : Organisation de la Conférence Islamique ) to its current name. The OIC also changed its logo at this time. According to the UNHCR , OIC countries hosted 18 million refugees by the end of 2010. OIC members continued to absorb refugees from other conflicts, including 2011 uprising in Syria . In May 2012,

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4830-483: The Arab tribes but also the region's original inhabitants. In the 7th century CE, Omanis came in contact with and accepted Islam . The conversion of Omanis to Islam is ascribed to Amr ibn al-As , who was sent by the prophet Muhammad during the Expedition of Zaid ibn Haritha (Hisma) . Amr was dispatched to meet with Jaifer and Abd, the sons of Julanda who ruled Oman. They appear to have readily embraced Islam. Omani Azd used to travel to Basra for trade, which

4945-612: The Arab world's longest-serving ruler, died on 10 January 2020. Leaving no heir on succession, on 11 January 2020 Qaboos was succeeded by his first cousin Haitham bin Tariq . Haitham bin Tariq is the current Sultan of Oman. On 12 January 2021, Theyazin bin Haitham , Sultan Haithan's oldest son became the crown prince as first in line to succeed his father under new fundamental law. Oman lies between latitudes 16th parallel north and 28th parallel north , and longitudes 52nd meridian east and 60th meridian east . A gravel desert plain covers most of central Oman, with mountain ranges along

5060-432: The Barr al-Hikman. Archaeological remains are particularly numerous for the Bronze Age Umm an-Nar and Wadi Suq periods. At the archaeological sites of Bat, Al-Janah, and Al-Ayn wheel-turned pottery, hand-made stone vessels, metals industry artifacts, and monumental architecture have been preserved. There is considerable agreement in sources that frankincense was used by traders in 1500 BCE. The Land of Frankincense ,

5175-507: The CDHR state bluntly that it is "manipulation and hypocrisy," "designed to dilute, if not altogether eliminate, civil and political rights protected by international law" and attempts to "circumvent these principles [of freedom and equality]." Human Rights Watch says that OIC "fought doggedly" and successfully within the United Nations Human Rights Council to shield states from criticism, except criticism of Israel . For example, when independent experts reported violations of human rights in

5290-441: The Consultative Assembly, to which Sultan Qaboos promised greater powers. The following year, the government began a crackdown on internet criticism. In September 2012, trials began of 'activists' accused of posting "abusive and provocative" criticism of the government online. Six were given jail terms. In 2013, Oman achieved its status as the elimination of malaria diagnoses, according to the World Health Organization . Qaboos,

5405-411: The French and the Dutch as well as obtain a concession to build a British factory at Bandar Abbas . A second treaty was signed in 1800, which stipulated that a British representative shall reside at the port of Muscat and manage all external affairs with other states. As the Omani Empire weakened, the British influence over Muscat grew throughout the nineteenth century. In 1854, a deed of cession of

5520-522: The Great over Oman in 536 BCE. Sumerian tablets referred to Oman as " Magan " and in the Akkadian language "Makan", a name that links Oman's ancient copper resources. Over centuries tribes from western Arabia settled in Oman, making a living by fishing, farming, herding or stock breeding, and many present day Omani families trace their ancestral roots to other parts of Arabia. Arab migration to Oman started from northern-western and south-western Arabia and those who chose to settle had to compete with

5635-482: The Gulf of Oman and the northern Arabian Sea , while No. 209 Squadron RAF , No. 265 Squadron RAF , and No. 321 Squadron RAF flew Consolidated PBY Catalinas out of Umm Ruşayş on Masirah Island. On October 16, 1943, the German U-Boat U-533 was sunk in the Gulf of Oman after being struck by depth charges dropped by a Bristol Blenheim from No. 244 Squadron RAF. The wreck settled at a depth of 108 meters (354 feet) approximately 25 nautical miles (46 kilometres) off

5750-475: The Imamate right after the death of Imam Alkhalili, thus taking advantage of any potential instability that might occur within the Imamate when elections were due, to the British government. The British political agent in Muscat believed that the only method of gaining access to the oil reserves in the interior was by assisting the sultan in taking over the Imamate. In 1946, the British government offered arms and ammunition, auxiliary supplies and officers to prepare

5865-677: The Imamate. IPC offered financial support to the sultan to raise an armed force against any potential resistance by the Imamate. Upon the outbreak of World War II , the sultan of Oman declared war on Germany on September 10, 1939. During the war, Oman had a strategic role in the defence of the United Kingdom's trade routes. Oman was never attacked during the war. In 1943, the Royal Air Force established stations on Masirah Island ( RAF Masirah ) and at Ras al Hadd . Air-sea rescue units were also stationed in Oman. No. 244 Squadron RAF flew Bristol Blenheim V light bombers and Vickers Wellington XIIIs out of RAF Masirah on anti-submarine duties in

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5980-442: The Islamic Summit Conference in December 2005 condemned publication of the cartoons, resulting in broader coverage of the issue by news media in Muslim countries. Subsequently, violent demonstrations throughout the Islamic world resulted in multiple deaths. OIC created the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam . Proponents claim it is not an alternative to the UDHR , but rather complementary to it. Article 24 states that "all

6095-429: The Islamic conference. On 25 September 1969, an Islamic Conference, a summit of representatives of 24 Muslim majority countries (most representatives were heads of state), was held in Rabat , Morocco. A resolution was passed stating: Muslim governments would consult with a view to promoting among themselves close cooperation and mutual assistance in the economic, scientific, cultural and spiritual fields, inspired by

6210-486: The Majlis al-Shura, the Consultative Assembly of Oman . Two women were duly elected to the body. In 2002, voting rights were extended to all citizens over the age of 21, and the first elections to the Consultative Assembly under the new rules were held in 2003. In 2004, the Sultan appointed Oman's first female minister with portfolio, Sheikha Aisha bint Khalfan bin Jameel al-Sayabiyah , to the post of National Authority for Industrial Craftsmanship. Despite these changes, there

6325-462: The OIC Convention on Combatting International Terrorism. Human Rights Watch reported that the definition of terrorism in article 1 describes "any act or threat of violence carried out with the aim of, among other things, imperiling people’s honour, occupying or seizing public or private property, or threatening the stability, territorial integrity, political unity or sovereignty of a state." HRW described this as vague, ill-defined, and including much that

6440-443: The OIC addressed these concerns at the "Refugees in the Muslim World" conference in Ashgabat , Turkmenistan. On 27 June 2007, then-United States President George W. Bush announced that the United States would delegate an envoy to the OIC. Bush said of the envoy, "Our special envoy will listen to and learn from representatives from Muslim states, and will share with them America's views and values." As of June 2015 , Arsalan Suleman

6555-401: The OIC tentatively raised the issue of China 's Xinjiang internment camps and human rights abuses against the Uyghurs . The OIC reversed its position after a visit to Xinjiang, and in March 2019, the OIC issued a report on human rights for Muslim minorities that praised China for "providing care to its Muslim citizens" and looked forward to greater cooperation with the PRC. In December 2020

6670-413: The Omani Kuria Muria islands to Britain was signed by the sultan of Muscat and the British government. The British government achieved predominating control over Muscat, which, for the most part, impeded competition from other nations. Between 1862 and 1892, the Political Residents, Lewis Pelly and Edward Ross, played an instrumental role in securing British supremacy over the Persian Gulf and Muscat by

6785-422: The Persian forces eventually rebelled against the Yaruba in 1743. The Persian empire then tried to take possession of the coast of Oman until 1747. After the Omanis expelled the Persians , Ahmed bin Sa'id Albusaidi became the elected Imam of Oman in 1749, with Rustaq serving as the capital. Since the revival of the Imamate with the Yaruba dynasty, the Omanis continued with the elective system but, provided that

6900-402: The Portuguese built up and fortified the city. Remnants of Portuguese architectural style still exist. Later, several more Omani cities were colonized in the early 16th century by the Portuguese, to control the entrances of the Persian Gulf and trade in the region as part of a web of fortresses in the region, from Basra to Hormuz Island . However, in 1552 an Ottoman fleet briefly captured

7015-435: The Safavid empire. The result of the battle was a draw but it resulted in the loss of Portuguese influence in the Gulf. The Ottoman Empire temporarily captured Muscat from the Portuguese again in 1581 and held it until 1588. During the 17th century, the Omanis were reunited by the Yaruba Imams . Nasir bin Murshid became the first Yaarubah Imam in 1624, when he was elected in Rustaq. Imam Nasir and his successor succeeded in

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7130-478: The Sultanate as the defence secretary and chief of intelligence, chief adviser to the sultan and all ministers except for two were British. In 1937, an agreement between the sultan and Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC), a consortium of oil companies that was 23.75% British owned, was signed to grant oil concessions to IPC. After failing to discover oil in the Sultanate, IPC was intensely interested in some promising geological formations near Fahud , an area located within

7245-431: The Sultanate of Muscat and Oman as a fully independent state. In 1955, the exclave coastal Makran strip acceded to Pakistan and was made a district of its Balochistan province , while Gwadar remained in Oman. On 8 September 1958, Pakistan purchased the Gwadar enclave from Oman for US$ 3 million. Gwadar then became a tehsil in the Makran district. Sultan Said bin Taimur expressed his interest in occupying

7360-443: The Sultanate's forces occupied the mountain in a surprise operation. Imam Ghalib, his brother Talib and Sulaiman managed to escape to Saudi Arabia , where the Imamate's cause was promoted until the 1970s. The exiled partisans of the now abolished Imamate of Oman presented the case of Oman to the Arab League and the United Nations. On 11 December 1963, the UN General Assembly decided to establish an Ad-Hoc Committee on Oman to study

7475-452: The United Nations . The exception is Palestine . Some member countries- Ivory Coast , Guyana , Gabon , Mozambique , Nigeria , Suriname , Togo and Uganda are not Muslim-majority. Bosnia and Herzegovina , the Central African Republic , Thailand , Russia , and Northern Cyprus (under the name "Turkish Cypriot State") are observer states, and other organisations and groups participate as observers. The OIC, on 28 March 2008, joined

7590-412: The United Nations, as did Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. In 1981, Oman became a founding member of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council . Political reforms were eventually introduced. The country adopted its present national flag in 1995, resembling the previous flag but with a thicker stripe. In 1997, a royal decree was issued granting women the right to vote, and stand for election to

7705-470: The Yaarubah from Qahtan, which belong to an older branch, were the first settlers of Oman from Yemen, and then came the Azd. The Azd settlers in Oman are descendants of Nasr bin Azd and were later known as "the Al-Azd of Oman". Seventy years after the first Azd migration, another branch of Alazdi under Malik bin Fahm, the founder of Kingdom of Tanukhites on the west of Euphrates , is believed to have settled in Oman. According to Al-Kalbi, Malik bin Fahm

7820-420: The Yaarubah were the first settlers in Oman from Yemen. In the 1970s and 1980s, scholars like John C. Wilkinson believed by virtue of oral history that in the 6th century BCE, the Achaemenids exerted control over the Omani peninsula, most likely ruling from a coastal centre such as Suhar . Central Oman has its own indigenous Samad Late Iron Age cultural assemblage named eponymously from Samad al-Shan . In

7935-419: The alienation of the interior of Oman to the vast influence of the British government over Muscat, which he described as being completely self-interested and without any regard to the social and political conditions of the locals. In 1913, Imam Salim Alkharusi instigated an anti-Muscat rebellion that lasted until 1920 when the Sultanate established peace with the Imamate by signing the Treaty of Seeb . The treaty

8050-430: The ancient Sohar . The city or region is typically etymologized in Arabic as deriving from ʿāmin or ʿamūn ('settled' people, as opposed to the nomadic Bedouin ). Although some have proposed one or another eponymous founder (Oman bin Ibrahim al-Khalil, Oman bin Siba' bin Yaghthan bin Ibrahim, Oman bin Qahtan), others have suggested that "Oman" derives from the name of a valley in Yemen at Ma'rib , presumed to be

8165-408: The attack and advised both sides to exercise restraint. For the first time in five decades, the United Arab Emirates invited India as a "guest of honour" to attend the inaugural plenary 46th meeting of OIC foreign ministers in Abu Dhabi on 1 and 2 March 2019, overriding protests by Pakistan. In response Pakistan boycotted the meeting. Indian Foreign Minister Swaraj headed the Indian delegation at

8280-424: The country, removed "Muscat and" from the country's name, embarked on economic reforms, and followed a policy of modernisation marked by increased spending on health, education and welfare. Saudi Arabia invested in the development of the Omani education system, sending Saudi teachers on its own expense. Slavery , once a cornerstone of the country's trade and development, was outlawed in 1970. In 1971, Oman joined

8395-668: The criticism of the film Fitna by Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders , which features disturbing images of violent acts juxtaposed with alleged verses from the Quran . In March 2015, the OIC announced its support for the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen against the Shia Houthis . The OIC supports a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The OIC calls for

8510-730: The east, and Al Ain Palace Museum to the west. To south is Al Ain Sports Club and Jabal Al-Naqfah, a ridge of Jebel Hafeet . To the southwest are Al Ain Etisalat Building and the Oasis Hospital . Al Ain Oasis is also known as Al-Jahily Falaj. It was built by Zayed the Grand . The oasis is known for its underground irrigation system ( falaj or qanāt ), which brings water from boreholes to water farms and palm trees. The falaj irrigation

8625-507: The entire 19th century, in addition to Imam Said bin Ahmed who retained the title until he died in 1803, Azzan bin Qais was the only elected Imam of Oman. His rule started in 1868. However, the British refused to accept Imam Azzan as a ruler, as he was viewed as inimical to their interests. This view played an instrumental role in supporting the deposition of Imam Azzan in 1871 by his cousin, Sayyid Turki,

8740-512: The first elected Imam of Oman, in 751 CE. The first Imamate reached its peak power in the ninth century CE. The Imamate established a maritime empire whose fleet controlled the Gulf, during the time when trade with the Abbasid Dynasty , the Far East, and Africa flourished. The authority of the Imams started to decline due to power struggles, the constant interventions of Abbasid, and the rise of

8855-505: The fort in Muscat , during their fight for control of the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, but soon departed after destroying the surroundings of the fortress. Later in the 17th century, using its bases in Oman, Portugal engaged in the largest naval battle ever fought in the Persian Gulf . The Portuguese force fought against a combined armada of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and English East India Company supported by

8970-659: The garrison of a Portuguese settlement at Mombasa . After a two-year siege, the fort fell to Imam Saif bin Sultan in 1698. Saif bin Sultan occupied Bahrain in 1700. The rivalry within the house of Yaruba over power after the death of Imam Sultan in 1718 weakened the dynasty. With the power of the Yaruba Dynasty dwindling, Imam Saif bin Sultan II eventually asked for help against his rivals from Nader Shah of Persia. A Persian force arrived in March 1737 to aid Saif. From their base at Julfar,

9085-527: The hottest climates in the world—with summer temperatures in Muscat and northern Oman averaging 30 to 40 °C (86.0 to 104.0 °F). Oman receives little rainfall , with annual rainfall in Muscat averaging 100 mm (3.9 in), occurring mostly in January. In the south, the Dhofar Mountains area near Salalah has a tropical-like climate and receives seasonal rainfall from late June to late September as

9200-607: The immortal teachings of Islam. In March 1970, the First Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers was held in Jeddah , Saudi Arabia. In 1972, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference was founded. While the al-Aqsa fire is regarded as one of the catalysts, many Muslims aspired to a pan-Islamic institution that would serve the common political, economic, and social interests of the ummah (Muslim community) beginning in

9315-450: The indigenous population for the best arable land. When Arab tribes started to migrate to Oman, there were two distinct groups. One group, a segment of the Azd tribe migrated from Yemen in 120 /200 CE following the collapse of Marib Dam , while the other group migrated a few centuries before the birth of Islam from Nejd (present-day Saudi Arabia ), named Nizari . Other historians believe that

9430-677: The interior led by Imam Ghalib Alhinai, Talib Alhinai, the brother of the Imam and the Wali (governor) of Rustaq, and Suleiman bin Hamyar, who was the Wali (governor) of Jebel Akhdar, defended the Imamate in the Jebel Akhdar War against British-backed attacks by the Sultanate. In July 1957, the Sultan's forces were withdrawing, but they were repeatedly ambushed, sustaining heavy casualties. Sultan Said, however, with

9545-510: The intervention of British infantry (two companies of the Cameronians ), armoured car detachments from the British Army and RAF aircraft, was able to suppress the rebellion. The Imamate's forces retreated to the inaccessible Jebel Akhdar . Colonel David Smiley , who had been seconded to organise the Sultan's Armed Forces, managed to isolate the mountain in autumn 1958 and found a route to

9660-569: The main slave market of the Swahili Coast as well as being a major producer of cloves, and became an increasingly important part of the Omani empire, a fact reflected by the decision of the Sayyid Sa'id bin Sultan , to make it the capital of the empire in 1837. In 1856, under British arbitration, Zanzibar and Muscat became two different sultanates. The Hajar Mountains , of which the Jebel Akhdar

9775-547: The members of the agreement established Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC). On 13 November 1931, Sultan Taimur bin Faisal abdicated. Said bin Taimur became the sultan of Muscat officially on 10 February 1932. The rule of sultan Said, a very complex character, was backed by the British government, and has been characterised as being feudal , reactionary and isolationist. The British government maintained vast administrative control over

9890-607: The mountainous areas leads to snow cover once every few years. Some parts of the coast, particularly near the island of Masirah , sometimes receive no rain at all within the course of a year. The climate is generally very hot, with temperatures reaching around 54 °C (129.2 °F) (peak) in the hot season, from May to September. Organisation of Islamic Cooperation The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC ; Arabic : منظمة التعاون الإسلامي , romanized :  Munaẓẓamat at-Taʿāwun al-ʾIslāmī ; French : Organisation de la coopération islamique ), formerly

10005-415: The north ( Hajar Mountains ) and southeast coast ( Dhofar Mountains ), where the country's main cities are located: the capital city Muscat , Sohar and Sur in the north, and Salalah in the south and Musandam . Oman's climate is hot and dry in the interior and humid along the coast. The peninsula of Musandam (Musandem), strategically located on the Strait of Hormuz , is an exclave separated from

10120-587: The northeast and Horn of Africa . Two optically stimulated luminescence age estimates place the Arabian Nubian Complex at 106,000 years old. This supports the proposition that early human populations moved from Africa into Arabia during the Late Pleistocene . In recent years surveys have uncovered Palaeolithic and Neolithic sites on the eastern coast. Main Palaeolithic sites include Saiwan-Ghunaim in

10235-589: The northern part of the Oman Peninsula the Recent Pre-Islamic Period begins in the 3rd century BCE and extends into the 3rd century CE. Whether or not Persians brought south-eastern Arabia under their control is a moot point, since the lack of Persian archeological finds speak against this belief. Armand-Pierre Caussin de Perceval suggests that Shammir bin Wathil bin Himyar recognized the authority of Cyrus

10350-525: The original home of the city's founders, the Azd , an ancient Bedouin tribe mentioned in the pre-Islamic inscriptions — specifically, Sabaic inscriptions from Sha'r Awtar 's reign ( 210 – 230 CE). At Aybut Al Auwal, in the Dhofar Governorate of Oman, a site was discovered in 2011 containing more than 100 surface scatters of stone tools, belonging to a regionally specific African lithic industry —the late Nubian Complex—known previously only from

10465-596: The outset of the meeting, the OIC countries signed a statement praising the Palestinians and their "blessed intifada ." The word terrorism was restricted to describe Israel, whom they condemned for " state terrorism " in their war with the Palestinian people. At the 34th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM), an OIC section, in May 2007, the foreign ministers termed Islamophobia "the worst form of terrorism". Thailand responded to OIC criticism of human rights abuses in

10580-518: The overland route via Sohar to the Yabrin oasis, and then north to Bahrain, Baghdad and Damascus. The mango-tree was introduced to Oman during the time of Nabhani dynasty, by ElFellah bin Muhsin. The Nabhani dynasty started to deteriorate in 1507 when Portuguese colonisers captured the coastal city of Muscat , and gradually extended their control along the coast up to Sohar in the north and down to Sur in

10695-479: The person is deemed qualified, gave preference to a member of the ruling family. Following Imam Ahmed's death in 1783, his son, Said bin Ahmed became the elected Imam. His son, Seyyid Hamed bin Said, overthrew the representative of his father the Imam in Muscat and obtained the possession of Muscat fortress. Hamed ruled as "Seyyid". Afterwards, Seyyid Sultan bin Ahmed, the uncle of Seyyid Hamed, took over power. Seyyid Said bin Sultan succeeded Sultan bin Ahmed. During

10810-545: The plateau from Wadi Bani Kharus. On 4 August 1957, the British Foreign Secretary gave the approval to carry out air strikes without prior warning to the locals residing in the interior of Oman. Between July and December 1958, the British RAF made 1,635 raids, dropping 1,094 tons and firing 900 rockets at the interior of Oman targeting insurgents, mountain top villages, water channels and crops. On 27 January 1959,

10925-450: The post- Ottoman Empire region, which included the Arabian peninsula, with each of the four major companies holding 23.75 percent of the shares while Calouste Gulbenkian held the remaining 5 percent shares. The agreement stipulated that none of the signatories was allowed to pursue the establishment of oil concessions within the agreed on area without including all other stakeholders. In 1929,

11040-606: The power to monitor human rights within the member states and facilitates the integration of human rights into all OIC mandates. IPHRC also aids in the promotion of political, civil, and economic rights in all member states. In September 2017, the Independent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the OIC strongly condemned the human rights violations against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar . In December 2018,

11155-530: The rebellion threatened the Sultan's control of Dhofar , Sultan Said bin Taimur was deposed in a bloodless coup in 1970 by his son Qaboos bin Said with British support. Qaboos expanded the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces , modernized the state's administration and introduced social reforms. The uprising was finally put down in 1976 with the help of forces from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and Britain. After deposing his father in 1970, Sultan Qaboos opened up

11270-558: The rest of Oman by the United Arab Emirates . Madha , another exclave, is an enclave within UAE territory located halfway between the Musandam Peninsula and the main body of Oman. Madha, part of the Musandam governorate, covers approximately 75 square kilometres (29 sq mi). Madha's boundary was settled in 1969, with the north-east corner of Madha barely 10 metres (33 ft) from

11385-538: The rights and freedoms stipulated in this Declaration are subject to the Islamic Shari'ah" and Article 25 follows with "the Islamic Shari'ah is the only source of reference for the explanation or clarification of any of the articles of this Declaration." Attempts to have it adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council met criticism, because of its contradiction of the UDHR, including from liberal Muslim groups. Critics of

11500-505: The southeast. Other historians argue that the Nabhani dynasty ended earlier in 1435 CE when conflicts between the dynasty and Alhinawis arose, which led to the restoration of the elective Imamate. A decade after Vasco da Gama succeeded in his voyage around the Cape of Good Hope and to India in 1497–1498, the Portuguese arrived in Oman and occupied Muscat for a 143-year period, from 1507 to 1650. In need of an outpost to protect their sea lanes,

11615-498: The sultan to attack the interior of Oman. In May 1954, Imam Alkhalili died and Ghalib Alhinai was elected Imam. Relations between the Sultan Said bin Taimur, and Imam Ghalib Alhinai frayed over their dispute about oil concessions. In December 1955, Sultan Said bin Taimur sent troops of the Muscat and Oman Field Force to occupy the main centres in Oman, including Nizwa , the capital of the Imamate of Oman, and Ibri . The Omanis in

11730-543: The summit. On 18 April 2020, OIC issued a statement, urging the Modi administration of India to take urgent steps to "stop the growing tide of Islamophobia ", citing attacks by Hindu nationalists against Indian Muslims and the allegation against Muslims of spreading COVID-19 in the country. Cartoons of Muhammad, published in a Danish newspaper in September 2005, offended a number of Muslims. The Third Extraordinary Session of

11845-512: The summit. The erstwhile President of Pakistan , Yahya Khan , reportedly expressed mixed views. The Indian delegation, led by then Indian President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad , was scheduled to attend the summit but ultimately was not allowed in due to Pakistan's controversial boycott threat. Differences between the two states led Pakistan to keep India out for the final session of the 1969 conference and all OIC subsequent summits. On 14 February 2019,

11960-421: The topic again. Most Arab countries and some African countries walked out of the session. Nonetheless, OIC members Albania , Gabon , Guinea-Bissau , Suriname and Sierra Leone signed a 2011 UN declaration supporting LGBT rights in the General Assembly . Bahrain , Iraq , Jordan and Turkey legalized homosexuality. In May 2016, 57 countries including Egypt , Iran , Pakistan , Saudi Arabia and

12075-993: The treatment of ethnic minorities within member countries, such as the oppression of the Kurds in Syria and Turkey , the Ahwaz in Iran , the Hazaras in Afghanistan , the ' Al-Akhdam ' in Yemen , or the Berbers in Algeria . Along with OIC's 2008 charter revisions, the member states created the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC). The IPHRC is an advisory body, independent from OIC, composed of eighteen individuals from diverse educational and professional backgrounds. IPHRC has

12190-628: The union. In March 2008, the OIC revised its charter to promote human rights, fundamental freedoms, and good governance in member states. The revisions removed any mention of the Cairo Declaration. Within the revised charter, the OIC supported the Charter of the United Nations and international law , without mentioning the Universal Declaration of Human Rights . On 28 June 2011, during

12305-653: The war, taking over the governance of Oman. The first elective Imamate of Oman is believed to have been established shortly after the fall of the Umayyad Dynasty in 750/755 CE, when Janaħ bin ʕibadah Alħinnawi was elected. Other scholars claim that Janaħ bin Ibadah served as a Wāli (governor) under the Umayyad dynasty (and later ratified the Imamate), and that Julanda bin Masud was

12420-861: The year 650; the Omani Azd in Iraq would subsequently adopt this as their predominant faith. Later, al-Hajjaj , the governor of Iraq, came into conflict with the Ibadis, which forced them back to Oman. Among those who returned was the scholar Jaber bin Zaid . His return (and the return of many other scholars) greatly enhanced the Ibadhi movement in Oman. Alhajjaj also made an attempt to subjugate Oman, then ruled by Suleiman and Said (the sons of Abbad bin Julanda). Alhajjaj dispatched Mujjaah bin Shiwah, who

12535-468: Was a centre of Islam, during the Umayyad empire. Omani Azd were granted a section of Basra, where they could settle and attend to their needs. Many of the Omani Azd who settled in Basra became wealthy merchants and, under their leader al-Muhallab ibn Abi Sufra , started to expand their influence of power eastwards towards Khorasan . Ibadism originated in Basra through its founder, Abd Allah ibn Ibad , around

12650-420: Was brokered by Britain, which had no economic interest in the interior of Oman during that point of time. The treaty granted autonomous rule to the Imamate in the interior of Oman and recognized the sovereignty of the coast of Oman, the Sultanate of Muscat . In 1920, Imam Salim Alkharusi died and Muhammad Alkhalili was elected. On 10 January 1923, an agreement between the Sultanate and the British government

12765-615: Was confronted by Said bin Abbad. This confrontation devastated Said's army, after which he and his forces retreated to the Jebel Akhdar (mountains). Mujjaah and his forces went after Said, successfully flushing them out from hiding in Wadi Mastall. Mujjaah later moved towards the coast, where he confronted Suleiman bin Abbad. The battle was won by Suleiman's forces. Alhajjaj, however, sent another force (under Abdulrahman bin Suleiman); he eventually won

12880-493: Was invited to participate in an OIC summit. However, Pakistan protested this development and demanded that India be blocked from the event, accusing the latter of an unprovoked violation of Pakistani airspace while Indian officials claimed that the strike was carried out on terrorist-training camps. Following requests by Pakistan shortly after the 14 February attack, the OIC held an emergency meeting on 26 February. The organization subsequently condemned India's military response to

12995-589: Was little change to the actual political makeup of the government. The Sultan continued to rule by decree. Nearly 100 suspected Islamists were arrested in 2005 and 31 people were convicted of trying to overthrow the government. They were ultimately pardoned in June of the same year. Before the Beijing Olympics , Oman became the stop of the Middle East's torch relay on 14 April 2008, covering 20 kilometres. Inspired by

13110-646: Was signed in which the Sultanate had to consult with the British political agent residing in Muscat and obtain the approval of the High Government of India to extract oil in the Sultanate. On 31 July 1928, the Red Line Agreement was signed between Anglo-Persian Company (later renamed British Petroleum), Royal Dutch/Shell, Compagnie Française des Pétroles (later renamed Total), Near East Development Corporation (later renamed ExxonMobil) and Calouste Gulbenkian (an Armenian businessman) to collectively produce oil in

13225-628: Was the first settler of Alazd. He is said to have first settled in Qalhat . By this account, Malik, with an armed force of more than 6000 men and horses, fought against the Marzban , who served an ambiguously named Persian king in the battle of Salut in Oman and eventually defeated the Persian forces. This account is, however, semi-legendary and seems to condense multiple centuries of migration and conflict as well as an amalgamation of various traditions from not only

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