Religion in Oman

Even though the government of Oman does not keep statistics on religious affiliation, statistics from the CIA World Factbook state that adherents of Islam are in the majority at 85.9%, with Christianity at 6.5%, Hinduism at 5.5%, Buddhism at 0.8%, and Judaism less than 0.1%. Other religious affiliations have a proportion of 1% and the unaffiliated only 0.2%.

Religion of Omani citizens (2021)[1]

  Ibadi Islam (45%)
  Sunni Islam (45%)
  Shia Islam (5%)
  others (5%)

Islam
See also: List of mosques in Oman and Islam in Oman

In 2014, most Omani Muslims were followers of the Ibadi branch, followed by Sunnis.[2] In 2021, an estimated 45% of Omani citizens were Ibadi and 45% were Sunni Muslims. Only 5% were Shias and 5% were of other faiths such as Hinduism or Christianity.[3]

Other religions
See also: Christianity in Oman, Hinduism in Oman, and History of the Jews in Oman
The Shiva temple in Old Muscat is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Middle East.

Virtually all non-Muslims in Oman are foreign workers.

Oman has communities of ethnic Indian Hindus. Muscat has two Hindu temples. One of them is over a hundred years old. There is a significant Sikh community in Oman. Though there are no permanent gurdwaras, many smaller ones in makeshift camps exist and are recognised by the government. The Government of India had signed an accord in 2008 with the Omani government to build a permanent gurdwara but as of now, little progress has been made.[4]

Christian communities are centered in the major urban areas of Muscat, Sohar and Salalah. These include Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and various Protestant congregations, organizing along linguistic and ethnic lines. More than 50 different Christian groups, fellowships and assemblies are active in the Muscat metropolitan area, formed by migrant workers from Southeast Asia.

There is also a small Jewish community in Oman.[5] Jainism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism are also practiced in the country.

Freedom of religion
Main article: Freedom of religion in Oman

See also

References
  1. "Oman - The World Factbook". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  2. Vallely, Paul (19 February 2014). "Schism between Sunni and Shia has been poisoning Islam for 1,400 years - and it's getting worse". The Independent. Oman is unusual because its Sunni and Shia residents are outnumbered by a third sect, the Ibadis, who constitute more than half the population.
  3. "Oman - The World Factbook". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  4. "Oman to allow temple, gurdwara". Sify. 24 November 2010. Archived from the original on 29 November 2010. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  5. "Jewish Cemetery at Sohar, Oman | Archive | Diarna.org". archive.diarna.org.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.