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History of Oman
Islam had reached Oman within Prophet Muhammad's
lifetime. By the middle of the eighth century AD, Omanis were practicing
a unique brand of the faith, Ibadhism, which remains a majority sect
only in Oman. Ibadhism has been characterized as "moderate
conservatism," with tenets that are a mixture of both austerity and
peace.
The Portuguese occupied Muscat for a 140-year period (1508-1648),
arriving a decade after Vasco da Gama discovered the seaway to India. In
need of an outpost to protect their sea lanes, the Europeans built up
and fortified the city, where remnants of their colonial architectural
style still remain.
The Ottomans drove out the Portuguese, but were pushed out themselves
about a century later (1741) by the leader of a Yemeni tribe leading a
massive army from varying other tribes, who began the current line of
ruling sultans. A brief Persian invasion a few years later was the final
time Oman would be ruled by a foreign power. Oman has been self
governing ever since.
The British slowly brought about a collapse of Muscat and Oman's
"empire" by the end of the nineteenth century without use of force.
Through gradual encroachment on its overseas holdings economically and
politically, they caused Oman to retreat to its homeland. In time
Britain held such sway in Muscat and Oman itself that it became in
effect, and later in fact, a British protectorate.
Having control of the country's military, the British helped subdue
rebel tribesmen in the 1950s, driving most into Yemen. But the sultan
ran a repressive regime, with laws forbidding numerous activities,
including the building and even repair of his subjects' own homes
without permission. In 1970, almost certainly with British backing, he
was overthrown by his son, the present ruler, Qaboos bin Said Al Said,
and the country declared independence the following year as the
Sultanate of Oman.
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