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 95%, with Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism less than 5%. Other religious affiliations have a proportion of 1% and the unaffiliated only 0.2%.

Religion of Omani citizens (2023)[1]

  Sunni Islam (47%)
  Ibadi Islam (35%)
  Shia Islam (6%)
  Other (12%)

Islam

In 2023, most Omani Muslims are followers of Sunni Islam, and the second largest being the Ibadi branch.[2] In 2023, an estimated 47% of Omani citizens are Sunni and 35% are Ibadi Muslims. Only 6% are Shias and the rest are of other faiths such as Hinduism or Christianity.[3]

Other religions

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

In 2023, the country was scored 2 out of 4 for religious freedom.[6]

In the same year, it was ranked as the 47th worst place in the world to be a Christian.[7]

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.
  6. ↑ Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-08
  7. ↑ Open Doors website, retrieved 2023-08-08
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