The Arabian Peninsula Partnership
The Gospel for every person and a church for every people in the Arabian Peninsula amongst indigenous peoples
Information about Oman
Area: 300,000 sq.km. A mountainous land on the southeast coast of Arabia and the strategic tip of the Musandam Peninsula that dominates the entrance to the Arabian/Persian Gulf.
Population |
Annual Growth |
Density |
2000: 2,541,739 |
+3.35% |
8 per sq. km. |
2010: 3,517,471 |
+3.28% |
12 per sq. km. |
2025: 5,351,885 |
+2.55% |
18 per sq. km. |
Capital: Muscat pop.: 600,000 |
Urbanites: 72% |
About 27% of the population and 65% of the workforce are foreign. Percentages below are estimates:
Arabs: 21%. Including Indian, Pakistani (Baluch), Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan.
South Asian: 13%. Indian (Malayali, Tamil, Telugu, etc.) Pakistani 30,000.
Mahra: 5.1%. Two non-Arab indigenous minorities.
Iranian: 2.8%.
Other: 4%. Filipino, African, European, North American.
Literacy: 67.1%. Official language: Arabic All languages: 13
A latecomer as a Middle Eastern oil producer. Oil revenues finance agricultural and industrial diversification. Oil wealth has been distributed wisely for the improvement of living standards. Unemployment: 12% among nationals. Income/person $6,050 (19.2% of USA).
An isolated feudal monarchy until 1970; a benevolent absolute monarchy since then when the Sultan was ousted by his son. No political parties permitted, but there is considerable personal freedom and political stability. One of the most socially progressive nations in the region.
Ibadi Islam is the state religion. Churches and church activities for the expatriate communities are permitted, but proselytising Muslims is forbidden. The Sultan has consistently opposed fanatical Islam since his reign began in 1970.
Religions |
Population % |
Adherents |
Muslim |
92.66 |
2,355,175 |
Hindu |
3 |
76,252 |
Christian |
2.54 |
64,560 |
Buddhist |
1.20 |
30,501 |
non-Religious |
0.40 |
10,167 |
Baha'i |
0.20 |
5,083 |
Christians |
Denom. |
Affiliation |
,000 |
Protestant |
21 |
0.24 |
6 |
Anglican |
1 |
0.14 |
4 |
Catholic |
1 |
1.22 |
31 |
Orthodox |
3 |
0.14 |
4>
|
Churches |
Congregations |
Members |
Affiliates
|
Catholic |
21 |
19,872 |
31,000 |
Orthodox (3) |
13 |
2,632 |
3,500 |
Anglican |
3 |
1,296 |
3,500 |
Mar Thoma |
7 |
804 |
1,850 |
South Asian protestant groups (5) |
8 |
500 |
1000 |
Pentecostal (6) |
12 |
600 |
900 |
Prostetant church in Oman |
4 |
350 |
875 |
Other denominations |
22 |
804 |
1,370 |
Total Christians |
90 |
26,858 |
44,000 |
Operation World