SUNSHINE

Rulers of Oman

Main article: List of rulers of Oman

Said bin Sultan (November 20, 1804 - June 4, 1856) - (Sultan of Zanzibar and Oman)
Thuwaini bin Said (October 19, 1856 - February 11, 1866)
Salim bin Thuwaini (February 11, 1866 - October 1868)
Azzan bin Qais (October 1868 - January 30, 1871)
Turki bin Said (January 30, 1871 - June 4, 1888)
Faisal bin Turki (June 4, 1888 - October 15, 1913)
Taimur bin Faisal (October 15, 1913 - February 10, 1932)
Said bin Taimur (February 10, 1932 - July 23, 1970)
Qaboos Bin Said (July 23, 1970 to present)

MAP OF OMAN:

The arrival of Islam

The Omanis were among the first people to embrace Islam.^[6] The conversion of the Omanis is usually ascribed to Amr ibn al-As, who was sent by the prophet Muhammad around 630 AD to invite Jaifar and ‘Abd, the joint rulers of Oman at that time, to accept the faith, in which he eventually succeeded. In accepting Islam, Oman became an Ibadhi state, ruled by an elected leader, the Imam. During the early years of the Islamic mission Oman played a major role in the Wars of Apostasy that occurred after the death of Muhammad and also took part in the great Islamic conquests by land and sea in Iraq, Persia and beyond. However, Oman's most prominent role in this respect was through the extensive trading and seafaring activities in East Africa, particularly during the 19th century, when it propagated Islam in many of East Africa’s coastal regions, and certain areas of Central Africa. Omanis also carried the message of Islam with them to China and the Asian ports.
Oman was ruled by Umayyads between 661–750, Abbasids between 750–931, 932–933 and 934–967, Qarmatians between 931–932 and between 933–934, Buyids between 967–1053, Seljuks of Kirman between 1053–1154.

The Portuguese settlement
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.
Rebellious tribes 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 various 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.

[edit] Oman and Gwadar

Main article: Gwadar

In 1783, Oman's Saiad Sultan, defeated ruler of Muscat, was granted sovereignty over Gwadar.^{[note 1]}^[7] He was to continue this sovereignty via an appointed wali (or "governor"), after regaining control of Muscat and maintained close relations with the Emirs of Sindh. The Sultans of Muscat retained sovereignty over Gwadar until the 1950s. In 1955 Makran acceded to Pakistan and was made a district – although Gwadar, at the time, was not included in Makran. In 1958, Gwadar and its surrounding areas were returned by Muscat to Pakistan, and were given the status of Tahsil of Makran district.^{[note 2]}^[8]

Oman and East African Empire

The Sultan's Palace buildings in Zanzibar which was once Oman's capital and residence of its Sultans.

In the 1690s Saif bin Sultan, the imam of Oman, pressed down the East African coast. A major obstacle was Fort Jesus, housing the garrison of a Portuguese settlement at Mombasa. After a two-year siege, it fell to Saif in 1698. Thereafter the Omanis easily ejected the Portuguese from Zanzibar and from all other coastal regions north of Mozambique. Zanzibar was a valuable property as the main slave market of the east African coast, and became an increasingly important part of the Omani empire, a fact reflected by the decision of the greatest 19th century sultan of Oman, Sa'id ibn Sultan, to make it from 1837 his main place of residence. Sa'id built impressive palaces and gardens in Zanzibar. Rivalry between his two sons was resolved, with the help of forceful British diplomacy, when one of them, Majid, succeeded to Zanzibar and to the many regions claimed by the family on the East African coast. The other, Thuwaini, inherited Muscat and Oman.

[edit] Dhofar rebellion

Main article: Dhofar Rebellion

The Dhofar Rebellion was launched in the province of Dhofar against the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman and Britain from 1962 to 1975. As the radical-leaning rebellion threatened to overthrow the Sultan's rule in Dhofar and produced disorder in other parts of Oman, Sultan Said bin Taimur was deposed by his son Qaboos bin Said, who introduced major social reforms to deprive the rebellion of popular support and modernised the state's administration. The rebellion ended with the intervention of Iranian Imperial ground forces and major offensives by the expanded Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces.

Politics

The Sultan's Al Alam Palace in Old Muscat

Main article: Politics of Oman

Chief of state and government is the hereditary sultān, Qaboos bin Said Al Said, who appoints a cabinet called the "Diwans" to assist him. In the early 1990s, the sultan instituted an elected advisory council, the Majlis ash-Shura, though few Omanis were eligible to vote. Universal suffrage for those over 21 was instituted on 4 October 2003. Over 190,000 people (74% of those registered) voted to elect the 84 seats.^[9]
Two women were elected to seats. The country today has three women ministers Rawiyah bint Saud al Busaidiyah – Minister of Higher Education, Sharifa bint Khalfan al Yahya'eyah – Minister of Social Development and Rajiha bint Abdulamir bin Ali al Lawati – Minister of Tourism. There are no legal political parties nor, at present, any active opposition movement. As more and more young Omanis return from education abroad, it seems likely that the traditional, tribal-based political system will have to be adjusted.^[10] A State Consultative Council, established in 1981, consisted of 55 appointed representatives of government, the private sector, and regional interests.

MODERN OMAN IN PICTURES:

Hi all;
I am 28 years old omani male. working in a bank.
In last days we saw so manay damages showing on our tv screens, about latest pakistani floods.
Alhamdulillah we are muslims, but do we know what's our responsibilites about our islamic brothers and sisters all around the world? May be some of us are know, but most of them forgoten.
Dear brother and sisters if you cannot help them than minimum you may can pray for them. Please pray for them, and think a while about yourselves also. That may one day will come, may be that day our eyes will be looking for someone.
If you don't know any thing than, Please review these pictures and send me your comments and ideas to help them.
Waiting for you comments.