Islam in Oman

Amr and Sa'id ibn Aws al-Ansari delivered Muhammad's letter to the Al-Julanda brothers; the rulers of Oman, inviting them to embrace Islam.

[11] After the death of Abdallah ibn Ibad of Banu Tamim in 700 CE,[9] the Ibadis scattered, with some settling in Oman and others in parts of the Maghreb al-Arabi (Northwest Africa).

[13][14] Despite this setback, the Ibadis continued to grow in influence by forming alliances with local tribes and promoting the idea that they were the true representatives of the Omani people, in contrast to the Abbasids who they deemed as foreign oppressors.

Over subsequent centuries, Ibadism became deeply entrenched in Omani society, leading to the re-establishment of Ibadi imamates in the late modern period.

[15][16] The Ibadis managed to become the ruling sect in Oman despite not being the majority initially due to their strong organizational structure and ability to mobilize the local tribes.

This victory marked the end of the Ibadi imamate as a political entity and paved the way for the current Omani monarchy, which emerged from these historical roots.

The establishment of the Sultanate of Oman in the mid-18th century marked a pivotal shift from the traditional Ibadi imamate system to a hereditary monarchy.

This reform has helped bridge the divide between different Muslim sects and other religious communities, promoting a sense of unity and coexistence within the country.

[25] These differences highlight the unique characteristics of Ibadism compared to Sunni Islam, shaping the religious and social landscape of Oman.

The Omani government's policy of religious tolerance has fostered coexistence and inclusion, allowing Shiites to contribute significantly to Oman's cultural and economic development.