Compared to other Arab nations, the Sultanate of Oman flies relatively under the radar.
It could be because a seemingly isolated tradition of peace exists in the Omani culture, between religious sects and multitudes of etnicities. But really, development has been the only news in Oman for the past 40 years, all under the reign of Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
There's no arguing with government-incentivized development, especially when there are essentially no taxes, healthcare is free, and land is given to every citizen.
Yet, within the past six months, a spark of small protests continue to break out across the country, the most recent concentrated in the port city of Sohar, about 125 miles north of the Omani capital of Muscat.
Friday a demonstration erupted after prayers at Shaikh Khalifa mosque in the Tareef area of Sohar. The estimated size of the protest varies among sources, ranging from a reported three dozen to 150 demonstrators total.
Protestors demanded the release of activists arrested in February for protesting or staging sit-ins in Muscat, Salalah, Sur and Sohar, according to Gulf News. They chanted slogans saying that their jailed colleagues did not deserve to go to prison for making genuine demands, and later handed over a letter of demands to officials.
In February, those 25 colleagues were charged with vandalism, rioting and throwing handmade bombs at security forces, according to Reuters.
Police refrained from intervening last Friday.
Protestors were also quoted demanding higher wages, more employment opportunities, and political reform, according to The Times of Oman.
These demonstrations continue despite Sultan Qaboos promising a $2.6 billion spending package and government creation of 50,000 public sector jobs, according to Reuters. The Sultan also recently introduced an unemployment service of 150 rials, or $390 per month for the jobless. Unemployment in Oman was last estimated at 15 percent in 2004, according to the CIA World Factbook.
Yet, the fact that a protest even occured shocked some Omanis. Some just shook their heads in amusemest, stating the protests 'weren't important,' and the only people that care to protest are 'those without jobs.'
But, what has been revealed as a result of the protests could be part of a much more serious concern in Omani government and society.
My Omani Colloqial Dialect teacher, who wishes to remain unnamed, shared her thoughts on the start of the protests and the reasons for them.
Personal Notes:
-I apologize for not having the ability to edit video on my computer.
-Not from my own experience, but from what I've heard in Oman, the south part of Oman, closest to Yemen, seems to be traditionally more conservative than the north.
-Take from her thoughts your own conclusions on what is really going on :)
An enlightening perspective from someone who has considered the complications carefully. Thank you for posting!
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