Indians in Oman
Encyclopedia
The community of Indians in Oman includes India
n expatriates in Oman
, as well as Omani citizens of Indian origin or descent.
. It was during the 19th century that some Khojas reached there, and who are presently well-integrated in Oman; some of them hold even ministerial positions. A few Indian families, which have been living in Oman since many centuries, have developed their enterprises into the colossal business houses.
Admittedly, the settlement of the Indian migrants in Oman has become possible only because of Omani government's liberal policy in granting its citizenship to foreign nationals. It is conceivably the only Arab country in Arabian Peninsula, which has taken such dynamic initiative, which has proved to be enormously beneficial to them in many respects. Any person irrespective of his religion or race, who has completed at least 20 years in Oman, is treated as eligible to apply for its citizenship. That's why, about a thousand Indians have so far became Omani citizens.
, 1 in Salalah
and Sohar
each), which have been built in the labour camps. Oman also has seven churches for various Christian sects living in this country. Recently the Omani government has allowed the Indian Community to build a permanent gurudwara and a temple in Oman of the likes that are seen in India itself (The current temples and gurudwaras are small, temporary, and bounded to a compound).
Some of them are working with the local newspapers and journals; particularly those being published in English language. The majority of the Indians in Oman come from South India
, constituting almost 80% of all Indians living in the country; out of these, there are Malayalees who alone account for 60% of the population. The high professional calibre of the Indians is quite obvious from the fact that the Indian companies have come to hold a quite distinct position; a number of joint venture projects have already been accomplished and many are still in the process.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n expatriates in Oman
Oman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
, as well as Omani citizens of Indian origin or descent.
History
Although Indian migration to Oman is apparently for the purpose of spreading their commercial activities and mutually sharing the profits, their mutual good relations are believed to have existed as early as the 7th century. It was however, in 15th century since when the Indian merchants had started undertaking commercial activities in Muscat in a quite systematic manner. The Indian community then consisted essentially of traders and financiers from Kutch and SindhSindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
. It was during the 19th century that some Khojas reached there, and who are presently well-integrated in Oman; some of them hold even ministerial positions. A few Indian families, which have been living in Oman since many centuries, have developed their enterprises into the colossal business houses.
Admittedly, the settlement of the Indian migrants in Oman has become possible only because of Omani government's liberal policy in granting its citizenship to foreign nationals. It is conceivably the only Arab country in Arabian Peninsula, which has taken such dynamic initiative, which has proved to be enormously beneficial to them in many respects. Any person irrespective of his religion or race, who has completed at least 20 years in Oman, is treated as eligible to apply for its citizenship. That's why, about a thousand Indians have so far became Omani citizens.
Religion
Oman holds an exceptional position among all the Gulf countries in terms of Basic Law of the State promulgated in December 1996, which guarantees the freedom of worship to all its inhabitants, irrespective of their religious beliefs. Such liberal policy of the government has made it possible that presently there are two Hindu temples where congregations are held regularly. One of these temples is more than hundred years old. The Hindus have been granted the rights of cremation as per their religious rites. There are nearly four temporary gurudwaras (2 in MuscatMuscat, Oman
Muscat is the capital of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat. As of 2008, the population of the Muscat metropolitan area was 1,090,797. The metropolitan area spans approximately and includes six provinces called wilayats...
, 1 in Salalah
Salalah
Salalah , is the capital and seat of the governor or Wali of the southern Omani province of Dhofar. The population of Salalah was 197,169 in 2009....
and Sohar
Sohar
Sohar is the most developed city in Sultanate of Oman outside the capital Muscat. It is about 200 kilometers north of Muscat. Sohar was an ancient capital of Oman and many believe it to be the birthplace of Sinbad the Sailor...
each), which have been built in the labour camps. Oman also has seven churches for various Christian sects living in this country. Recently the Omani government has allowed the Indian Community to build a permanent gurudwara and a temple in Oman of the likes that are seen in India itself (The current temples and gurudwaras are small, temporary, and bounded to a compound).
Demographics
The Indian community in Oman is regarded to be among the prosperous communities in the country. At present, the Indians constitute almost 14% of Oman's total population i.e. 2.3 million, as it is the largest expatriate community in this country. The Indians in Oman belong to various professions and businesses. Almost 25% of them are unskilled workers, 30% of them comprises semi-skilled and 35% are the skilled ones. The rest 10% consists of professionals such as engineers, bankers, financial experts, managers/executives and businessmen. There are around 2,000 Indian doctors in Oman, who work in different hospitals and healthcare centres of the country.Some of them are working with the local newspapers and journals; particularly those being published in English language. The majority of the Indians in Oman come from South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
, constituting almost 80% of all Indians living in the country; out of these, there are Malayalees who alone account for 60% of the population. The high professional calibre of the Indians is quite obvious from the fact that the Indian companies have come to hold a quite distinct position; a number of joint venture projects have already been accomplished and many are still in the process.
Education
There are a number of Indian curriculum and community-run schools in Oman, including- Indian School (Darsait)
- Indian School (Al-Ghubra)
- Indian School (Al Wadi Al Kabir)
- Indian School (Muscat)
- Indian School (Sohar)
- Indian School (Seeb)
- Indian School (Nizwa)
- Indian School (Ibri)