Omani Arab in Oman


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Arabs have inhabited the territory that is now Oman for thousands of years. Omanis at one time had influence along the East African coast including what is now Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. Large numbers of Omanis migrated to Zanzibar and the Swahili coast of East Africa during a time when that was seen by them as a land of opportunity. They prospered there until a bloody revolution forced most of them to return to Oman. Today some of them are fleeing Oman because of poverty, seeking employment elsewhere.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Omani Arabs live in extended family units. Their society is patriarchal, or male dominated. The men seldom abuse this authority because they believe that their families should obey them out of respect rather than fear.
There are clearly defined roles for both sexes. Even the children are given gender-specific duties. The men work outside in the fields while women work in the homes. Men and women often eat separately and never pray together. While men worship at mosques, women attend ceremonies conducted at home by female religious leaders. Marriages are generally pre-arranged by the parents. Children are a considered the family's greatest asset because they provide the parents with additional laborers and social security.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Omani Arabs were among the first people in the Middle East to accept Islam. Most Oman Arabs belong to the Ibadi sect of Islam, one of the religion's oldest and most traditional branches. Ibadi principles of puritanism and idealism have greatly influenced Arabs in surrounding countries. Family ties and religious traditions are strong. The Oman Arab standard is to accept others on their terms. For example, they view anything less than excessive generosity as rudeness. Sunnis are welcomed by the Ibadis with Sunni greetings.


What Are Their Needs?

There are few if any Christ followers among Omani Arabs no matter where they live. Almost all are satisfied with the works-righteousness of Islam. They need spiritual hunger.


Prayer Points

Pray for a spiritual discernment and hunger that will allow Omani Arabs to seek and find Christ.
Pray for Holy Spirit-directed believers to go to the Omani Arabs.
Pray for a Christ-ward movement to spread far and wide among Omani Arabs.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Omani in Oman.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Arab, Omani
People Name in Country Arab, Omani
Natural Name Omani Arab
Pronunciation oh-MAH-nee AE-rub
Alternate Names Arabic, Omani Spoken; Omani Arab
Population this Country 1,957,000
Population all Countries 2,826,000
Total Countries 10
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 39
PeopleID3 10378
ROP3 Code 100431
Country Oman
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Mainly in Hajar Mountains highlands; a few coastal regions.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Oman
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Mainly in Hajar Mountains highlands; a few coastal regions..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Arab, Omani in Oman
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Omani (1,957,000 speakers)
Language Code acx   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Omani (1,957,000 speakers)
Language Code acx   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Omani

Primary Language:  Arabic, Omani

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Arabic Bible Online Arabic Bible Outreach Ministry
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Photo Source CharlesFred - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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