The Ambassadors - FEATURES [Oman] - Vol.3, Issue 2 (July 2000)

Khadija bint Hassan al-Lawati becomes
the first female Omani ambassador

The first Omani woman to become a member
of the country's Consultative Council was in 1994.
(Majlis Al-Shura)

Before 1970, the country that occupies the southeast corner of the Arabian peninsula was a closed book, not only to foreigner but also to its local inhabitants who scarcely could fathom provinces in the more distant fringes of the land or what characteristics their inhabitants possessed. As well, only three decades ago, the gender dimensions of society both in the Sultanate of Oman and the entire Middle East were completely different. While in Oman, there were no schools for girls before 1970, today girls make up 257,071 or 48.65% of government school population. In the last academic year, more than half of the 5,248 Omani students studying at 20 different universities overseas, were women - some preparing their masters or PhDs, a numerical figure that is considerably high in comparison to most Arab and non-Arab nations. Of the 6 thousand students in seven colleges at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), approximately two thirds are women. Furthermore, a third of those working in the agricultural sector are women. Omani women have succeeded to catch up in all aspects of life, acquiring jobs as doctors, nurses, teachers, artists, businesswomen, reporters, policewomen, administrators, researchers, some holding the prestigious positions of university professors, ambassadors, and parliamentarians. In July 1994, two women where appointed as members to the Omani Consultative Council (Majlis Al-Shura).

On a recreational level, women have also proved their standing in major sports competitions. And more recently, in 1994, Oman established national women's teams in volleyball, basketball, squash, tennis, table tennis and several other sports. Only 3 years later, a Omani girl won a silver medal in the UAE open ice-skating competition. Considering their position in the social fabric of Oman over 3 decades ago, these and many other accomplishments mark a new era for women in Oman and the entire Middle East region (see photos below).

In 1999, there were 23 women's organizations with the membership of 3,744 women, carrying out voluntary social work within their community. In accordance with these community organizations, the Omani Ministry of Public Health along with UNICEF, have established community support groups. Within these groups, over 2,500 women volunteer to assist other mothers in workshops on health issues including hygiene, birth-spacing, immunization and the importance of breastfeeding. This remarkably successful project has become a country-wide network working in collaboration with the Omani Women's Association. The numbers of women taking part in voluntary participatory work has been increasing since this project commenced. Many Bedouin women are now attending education programs and workshops in cooking, sewing, arts and domestic work. Furthermore, women are encourage to open tailoring shops in rural areas after attending these training courses. In January 2000, a meeting was held with distinguished Omani women at Al Shatti Hospital discussing their dreams for supporting the Omani society for the welfare of the handicapped children by establishing high-caliber educational centers for the autistic, Down Syndrome, deaf, and blind. Prof. Samira M. Moosa, from the college of education and Islamic sciences (SQU), presented a new program focusing on Down Syndrome in early childhood education. Omani women have come to the realization that there is no future without education, training, and participation. No parent today wants their children not to attend schools, a departure past sentiments.

The story of Mashgoulab al-Farsi is emblematic of the success of women in the Sultanate of Oman. She is the talented maker of hundreds of camel saddles and has done so for many years. A large number of her works have been brought to Western countries by tourists fascinated by her unique hand-made work. Mashghoulab is one of the many Bedouin Omani women who have made use of their remarkable artistic skills and talents.

The land mass of Kumzar which is sandwiched between the mountains and sea has a small isolated population (around 2000 people) with uniqueness of native language, their customs and their lifestyle in general. The Kumzari language is a hotchpotch of Arabic, Portuguese, Persian, Hindi and English. Instead of the Arabic "kaif halak" (how are you), the Kumzaris have their own version, "koyishi"! The government established schools in Kumzar for boys and girls where they learn Arabic and English. Many Kumzari girls dream to become doctors, nurses and teachers and to play an active role in the development of their community.

The famous Omani artist, Mariyam Mohamed participated in most of the art shows held after 1980 in Oman, the Gulf countries, Egypt and Europe. Her art reflects her attraction to the beautiful nature of Salalah (Dhofar). Her work and achievements have inspired many Omani women to pursue art professionally.

Perhaps few products were as well-known as frankincense in the ancient world. Pharaoh Hatshepsut, Queen of Punt and Queen of Sheba all admired and sought this exotic incense. The pharaohs of Egypt were known to have used frankincense in temple rituals. It was was used for similar purposes in Rome, Greece, Babylon, Lebanon, Africa and the Indian sub-continent. Furthermore, frankincense was among the gift packages presented to Christ as his birth by the 3 kings of the east. The average yield of frankincense throughout Dhofar ranges from 6000-7000 tons. In the past, caravans brought frankincense to be shipped abroad. Today, frankincense is used some of the world's most expensive incenses, fragrances and perfumes.

It is interesting to note that frankincense collected from some 8000 wild trees in Dhofar, is so important in the social and religious life of ancient people of Oman and is evidence of the existence of an early trading community in Oman.

Archeological discoveries found Sumerian tablets referring to a country named "Magan" as a source of copper. Is it today's Oman? Evidence from excavations near Sohar showed that the copper mining and smelting industry was well-developed by the year 2000 B.C. and was extracted during the Iron Age in 1000 B.C from a mine near Sohar. Mysticism surrounds the art of metal-smithing where for thousands of years gold has been associated with the sun and silver with the moon. and jewelry in general has always been treasured in Oman. A German team of archeologists has been investigating the Fort of Nizwa, while French and Italian teams have found evidence at Ras Al-Jinz, to support the theory found in Greek and Latin writings that Oman traded with India, China, Mesopotamia and East Africa 3000 years ago. Jewelry remains a vital part of bridal costumes. Full Omani traditional bridal jewelry consists of a headdress, earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, anklets, and two rings that often purchased as a wedding set. In modern-day Oman, one of the main sources of national revenue is what is best known as the "black gold," where Oman exports approximately 1 million barrels of crude oil everyday.

In the early 16th century after the Portuguese under Vasco de Gama had discovered the sea route round the Cape of Good Hope to India, they occupied Muscat for a century and a half in order to dominate the trade which had until then been an Arab monopoly. In 1650, Sultan bin-Saif Al-Yarubi expelled them from Muscat. The imams of the Ya'ruba dynasty constructed castles and beautiful buildings such as the Nizwa Fort and Palace at Jabrin. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos is the 8th ruler of Al-Busaidi dynasty founded in 1744 by Imam Ahmed bin-Said. He is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy at Sandhorst as an officer cadet. Sultan Qaboos took office on July 23, 1970. The national flag was raised for the first time on December 17, 1970, carrying the Sultanate's emblem of two crossed swords with a dagger (khanjar) and a belt superimposed. The colors signify white for peace and prosperity, red for struggle to liberate and unify Oman, while the green was for religion, fertility and beauty of Oman. During the first 25 years, outstanding achievements in progress and development have been seen in all parts of his country.

The Omani population was estimated at 2,446,645 in 1999 (increasing annually by more than 3%) with 41% of them under 14 years of age (489,453 females). They are optimistic and eager to participate in any developmental projects to make their country more prosperous. The Sultanate of Oman occupies the southeastern corner of the Arabian peninsula with a land area of 309,500 sq. kms consisting of plains, wadis and mountains. Oman is divided into 8 administrative regions, which are subdivided into 59 districts (wilayats). The Omani capital is Muscat and the other 7 districts are: Al-Batinah (the belly), Al-Dhahirah (the back), Al-Jauf, Sumail Gap, Al-Sharqiya (the east), Al-Wusta (the center) and the Southern Region (Dhofar). The main town of Dhofar is Salalah, which lies on the fertile coastal plain. Oman maintains excellent relations with 139 countries worldwide, including its neighbors: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Republic of Yemen, and Iran.

The Oasis of peace, frankincense and gold with 1,700 km coastline has been isolated from the rest of the world for much of its early history. It was not until 1970 that the infrastructure characterized by an extremely backward in health, education, housing and communication took a dramatic turn. Today, Oman has become an oasis of prosperity and stability in a troubled world. Oman now has extensive diplomatic relations acquiring great respect in terms of foreign policy, which is built on the principles of friendship and peace among all countries and on the basis' of mutual respect & benefits, peaceful co-existence, and good neighborliness. In a speech delivered to his people, HM Sultan Qaboos stated that, "The wheels of development never stop turning." Oman after tomorrow will open a new chapter of development, prosperity and socioeconomic progress.

Oman discovered the utmost need for human and social development with particular reference to the education and training of the young, maintaining a delicate balance between preserving the traditions and religions and introducing the modernization needed to keep pace with changes take place around the world. They also discovered that Omani women are enthusiastic to take part in building Oman of the future.

Oman has a long history of trading with the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and the nations on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Statistics showed that illiteracy among older generations was about 41%, while in younger generations, it has fallen to 4.5% for males and 21% for females

In Oman, the population has remained constrained by tribal boundaries with high consanguinity rates. According to 1993 population census, the mean age of marriage for women was 20.7 years (24.7 years for men). Green is the traditional Omani color worn by brides, that symbolizes fertility and peace, and is said to bring good luck to the bride and her marriage. Gold jewelry remains a vital part of bridal customs. Henna (traditional dye) is applied to the bride's feet. Omani women are described as "the bank of their families", due to the great amounts of jewelry present in the country. Oman has a high fertility rate, which doubles the population every two decades. It was 7.8 in 1988 and due to mass education and birth spacing, it became 6.1. In the 1980's, an expanded program for immunization was introduced for children. Oman has been diphtheria-free since 1992 and poliomyelitis-free since 1993. Neonatal tetanus and congenital rubella syndrome has been eliminated. There has been a significant decline in the infant mortality rate from 118/1000 in 1972 to 24.7/1000 in 1999 fulfilling the dreams of Omani women in having healthy babies. Omani women's contribution as mothers, wives, doctors, nurses, teachers and health educators is a vital instigator of change in these health campaigns.

Women being represented in the media
industry as show hosts and reporters

In addition, over the past 30 years the increasingly crucial presence of Omani women in all aspects of media, both print and broadcast, has helped inform and educate all communities in the 59 wilayat (districts). Women hold a variety of positions in the media including reporters, anchors, and producers.

Perhaps the most crucial role women have held has been one of education. While many women teach at all levels of secondary and pre-secondary schooling, some hold professorial positions in the prestigious Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat. Prof. Zakia M. Al-Lamki is one such successful woman faculty member, who has recently been appointed the head of the child health department. The university is the major degree-granting post-secondary institution in Oman and offers programs is a large variety of specialties and disciplines. With these and their many involvements in the infrastructure of the nation, Omani women are contributing to their welfare and speeding up the wheels of community development in the sultanate.

Omani children optimistic of a great future.

Omani students registering classes in SQU

Omani women as young scientists

Omani graduates from SQU medical college during their degree ceremony.

The continuous efforts done in Oman will help to establish a more prosperous country in the future. Although Oman has achieved remarkable progress, both socially and economically with the implementation of successive 5-year development plans, the Omani family has many dreams which need to be fulfilled in Oman of after tomorrow. Together, hand-in-hand, Omani men and women carve out their future well into the 21st century. This can be achieved by active domestic participation along with encouraging foreign investment. Thousands of tourists visit Oman with an attraction to its mountains, greenery, rushing wadi rivers, exotic beaches and to discover more about Bedouin life. Emma Ventura, the editor of Oman Today (2000) published by Apex Publishers mentioned that "Even the country's two main dune deserts, the Rub Al-Khali ("empty quarter") and the Wahiba Sands, can surprise you." There are different programs for international tourism+ which can be reached at www.bahwantravels.com.

Oman is a land marked by enormous diversities with both ancient and modern heritages that mingle together to create a unique ambiance. Historically, Oman's strategic location has made it the meeting place of cultures and civilization (Arab, Persian, Indian and African) and their interaction with their western counterparts. This is best seen in Nazwa, a unique Omani city where the old world charm meets post-Renaissance progress, preserve the country's natural heritage. On top of its natural beauty, the country's political stability, infrastructure, economic resources, and growing investment opportunities have set it on a track for development. It is the prime location for cultural exchange between different civilizations, whose interactions gave Oman its unique character.

Adel Iskandar is currently a PhD student at University of Kentucky and a fellow of the Canadian Scientific Writer's Association.