Oman
(2001)
Islam is the state religion, and the Basic
Charter preserves the freedom to practice religious rites,
in accordance with tradition, provided that it does not breach
public order. The Basic Charter also provides that Shari'a
(Islamic Law) is the basis for legislation. The Government
permits worship for non-Muslim residents; however, non-Muslim
religious organizations must be registered with the Government,
and the Government restricts some of their activities.
There was no change in the status of respect
for religious freedom during the period covered by this report.
Christian and Hindu worship is permitted, and Sultan Qaboos
has given land for the construction of centers of worship
for these religions. It is illegal to proselytize Muslims
to abandon Islam.
The generally amicable relationship among
religions in society contributed to religious freedom.
The U.S. Embassy discusses religious freedom
issues with the Government in the context of its overall
dialog and policy of promoting human rights.
Section I. Religious Demography
The country's total land area is 79,035
square miles, and its population is approximately 2,553,000.
Most citizens are Ibadhi or Sunni Muslims, but there also
is a minority of Shi'a Muslims. There are about 527,000 Sunni
Muslims. There is a small community of ethnically Indian
Hindu citizens and reportedly a very small number of Christian
citizens, who originally were originally India or the Levant
and who have been naturalized.
The majority of non-Muslims are noncitizen
immigrant workers from South Asia. There are many Christian
denominations in Muscat.
There is no information available regarding
the number of atheists in the country.
There is no information regarding missionary
groups. The Government prohibits non-Muslims from proselytizing
Muslims.
Section II. Status of Religious Freedom
Legal/Policy Framework
Islam is the state religion, which is affirmed
by the 1996 Basic Charter. The 1996 Basic Charter provides
that Shari'a is the basis for legislation and preserves the
freedom to practice religious rites, in accordance with tradition,
provided that it does not breach public order. The Charter
also provides that discrimination against individuals on
the basis of religion or religious group is prohibited; however,
decrees implementing the prohibition against religious discrimination
have not yet been established. The Government permits freedom
of worship for non-Muslims as well. Some non-Muslims worship
at churches and temples built on land donated by the Sultan,
including two Catholic and two Protestant churches. Hindu
temples also have been built on government-provided land.
The Government also provided land for Catholic and Protestant
missions in Sohar and Salalah. However, non-Muslim religious
organizations must be registered with the Government, and
the Government restricts some of their activities.
The Government has sponsored forums at
which differing interpretations of Islam have been examined;
there are no known instances during the period covered by
this report in which the Government has publicly promoted
interfaith dialog.
Restrictions on Religious Freedom
Citizens and noncitizen residents are free
to discuss their religious beliefs; however, the Government
prohibits non-Muslims from proselytizing Muslims. Under Islamic
law, a Muslim who recants belief in Islam would be considered
an apostate and dealt with under applicable Islamic legal
procedure. Non-Muslims are permitted to change their religious
affiliation to Islam. The authorities reportedly have asked
members of the Baha'i community not to proselytize, in accordance
with the country's law and custom.
The Government prohibits non-Muslim groups
from publishing religious material, although material printed
abroad may be brought into the country. Members of all religions
and religious groups are free to maintain links with coreligionists
abroad and undertake foreign travel for religious purposes.
Ministers and priests from abroad also are permitted to visit
the country for the purpose of carrying out duties related
to registered religious organizations.
The police monitor mosque sermons to ensure
that the preachers do not discuss political topics and stay
within the state-approved orthodoxy of Islam. The Government
expects all imams to preach sermons within the parameters
of standardized texts distributed monthly by the Ministry
of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.
Citizen children must attend a school that
provides instruction in Islam; noncitizen children may attend
schools that do not offer instruction in Islam.
Some aspects of Islamic law and tradition
as interpreted in the country discriminate against women.
Shari'a favors male heirs in adjudicating inheritance claims.
Many women are reluctant to take an inheritance dispute to
court for fear of alienating the family.
There were no reports of religious prisoners
or detainees.
Forced Religious Conversion
There were no reports of forced religious
conversion, including of minor U.S. citizens who had been
abducted or illegally removed from the United States, or
of the Government's refusal to allow such citizens to be
returned to the United States.
Section III. Societal Attitudes
The generally amicable relationship among
religions in society contributed to religious freedom. Religious
discrimination in the private sector largely is absent. In
the past, some members of the Shi'a minority claimed that
they faced discrimination in employment and educational opportunities.
Christian theologians have met with local
Islamic authorities and with members of the faculty at the
country's major university. Private groups that promote interfaith
dialog are permitted to exist as long as discussions do not
constitute an attempt to cause Muslims to recant their Islamic
beliefs.
In May 2001, the Sultan invited Islamic
leaders from many countries and all major branches and schools
of Islam to the opening of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Section IV. U.S. Government Policy
The U.S. Embassy discusses religious freedom
issues with the Government in the context of its overall
dialog and policy of promoting human rights. Members of the
staff at the U.S. Embassy routinely participate in local
religious ceremonies and have contact with non-Muslim practitioners.
Sources: U.S. State Department - Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor |