Hinduism in Oman

Hinduism is the second-largest religion in Oman, practised by 5.5% of its population.[1]

Hindus in Oman
Total population
259.780 (2020)Increase; 5.5% of total population
Regions with significant populations
Muscat
Religions
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Indians in Oman and Hindus

History

Shiva temple in Oman is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Middle East.

For centuries, Muscat attracted Hindu merchants involved in various trades, including pearls and grains.[2] Hinduism first came to Oman in 1507 when Kutchi-speaking Hindus arrived in Muscat from the Kutch region in India. There were at least 4,000 Hindus in Oman in the early 19th century. In 1895, the Hindu presence in Muscat came under attack by the Ibadis and by 1900, the number of Hindus decreased to 300. During the independence of Oman, only a few dozen Hindus remained. The historical quarters of al-Waljat and al-Banyan are no longer occupied by Hindus.[2]

Demographics

Oman is the only country in the Middle East with an indigenous Hindu population. There are at least 1,000 Hindus in Oman with Omani citizenship.[3] According to the CIA, there are 259,780 Hindus constituting 5.5% of population.[1]

Temples

Prime Minister Modi performed Abhishekam at the historic Lord Shiva temple in Muscat, Oman, on 2018

There are two officially recognized Hindu temples in Oman.[4] The Shiva temple in Muscat (Motishwar Mandir) in Oman is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Middle East region.[5] The other is the Krishna Temple, also in Muscat.[6]

Famous Omani Hindus

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hinduism in Oman.
  1. ^ a b "Middle East OMAN". CIA The World Factbook.
  2. ^ a b J.E. Peterson,Oman's diverse society: Northern Oman, Middle East Journal, Vol. 58, Nr. 1, Winter 2004
  3. ^ Chaudhury, Dipanjan Roy (2020-01-12). "India announces national mourning for its close friend Sultan Qaboos of Oman". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  4. ^ "International Religious Freedom Report Oman for 2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  5. ^ Staff Report (19 December 2020). "Modi visits 125-year-old Shiva temple". GulfNews. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  6. ^ "PM Modi to visit 200-year old Shiva temple in Muscat". dnaindia. 12 February 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  7. ^ Runa Mukherjee Parikh (11 May 2013). "World's only Hindu Sheikh traces his roots to Gujarat". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 December 2020.