Muscat Provides Introduction to Omani Traditions
For centuries, traders from the Sultanate of Oman have looked across the Persian Gulf and to the Indian Ocean for commerce and cultural interaction to supplement the limited resources and barren landscape of their homeland. This outward focus sometimes brought Oman into competition and conflict with other nations, but the Omanis generally avoided colonization by outside powers. Instead, the monarchs of the ruling Al Said family established their own satellite states and trading centers in Zanzibar and parts of Mozambique and Yemen during the 17th and 18th centuries.
From 1970 until early 2020, Oman was ruled by the decrees of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said. He used the oil resources of the nation to build infrastructure and public buildings and connect the sparsely populated mountain and desert regions of the country to the coastal cities. The monarchy also preserved the religious traditions of Ibadism, a separate denomination of Islam which predates the Sunni and Shia branches. The result is a country which has maintained its traditions in many respects while introducing modern accoutrements wherever possible.
Although Oman has not attempted to keep up with the fast-paced development of the neighboring emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the sultanate has gradually introduced modern facilities for tourists. Oman now provides unique experiences for visitors seeking outdoor adventure and unusual landscapes through the wadies, mountains, and fjords that envelope the country. Oman’s offerings include the desolate beauty of huge sand dunes, deserted forts and watchtowers along the coast, and frankincense trees oozing with resin in the southern region around Salalah. However, unlike in ancient times, the main roads are new and both Arabic and English signs are common.
The port city and national capital of Muscat is the best place to begin exploring Oman. Muscat is a large city of 1.4 million people with a young population and there is much to see in the area. Some visitors reach Muscat from Dubai or Sharjah by driving across the desert and then taking the scenic coastal highway, but there can be delays at border crossings and it generally takes about 5 hours. So many people arrive by air or cruise ship too.
Attractions and Activities in Muscat
The city of Muscat extends for miles along the coast with various sections separated by mountains which come down to the sea, ravines, and the central harbor. There are modern hotels in the capital’s business district such as the Kempinski, but some visitors choose to relax by staying in one of the resorts located along the coast. The Shangri-La Resort and Spa is popular since it is essentially three different hotels which collectively offer a wide range of facilities along with shuttles to important locations in Muscat.
Forts - There are reportedly over 1000 forts in the country of Oman. One fort in Muscat known as Al-Marini, originally built by Portuguese forces in the early 1500s, is located on a hillock next to the harbor and has a commanding view of the entrance and the city. The Portuguese were eventually driven out around 1650. Oman’s sultans used the fort thereafter to defend their land and avoided being colonized by the British, Ottoman, or Persian empires who recognized the strategic importance of the region. Today, the fort is used as a private museum but a quick visit here to get an overview of the history of the old city, take some pictures, and have a refreshment is useful.
The Grand Mosque - Once you are settled in town, a tour of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is essential. Completed in 2001, the mosque complex includes over 100 acres of gardens and walkways but the building itself remains the main attraction. Constructed out of imported Indian sandstone, the mosque is massive with clean architectural lines that emphasize the minarets and rotunda of the building. It can accommodate 20,000 worshipers at a time and includes a large section for female devotees.
Although Oman is a conservative Islamic country, this mosque is welcoming for people of all faiths. Tours and walkthroughs are permitted by properly clothed visitors from 8 to 11 a.m. except on Fridays. Two unusual areas to observe are the huge library housing tens of thousands of books which emphasize Islamic studies and the ablution rooms where worshipers perform a cleansing ritual before entering the mosque.
The most impressive section of the building is the interior which includes a stunning central chandelier with gold plating and thousands of lighting crystals. Underneath is a Persian carpet covering an area of 230 feet by 200 feet that is reputed to be the second largest of its type in the world. Traditional calligraphy and geometric designs adorn the walls and ceilings areas as well. The overall impression one receives from visiting the mosque is that the sultan intended to convey a message of solemnity, cleanliness, charity, and unity to his people. Those virtues seem to have been absorbed by the many people visiting the mosque without charge that day also.
Mutrah Souk - The Mutrah Corniche is a walkway around the harbor. Although traffic now intrudes along portions of this route, you can still envision the strong impression that the city made on merchant sailors or fishermen arriving after long voyages. At the heart of this crescent-shaped area is a traditional Souk which includes standalone buildings and carts where merchants sell their wares under a covered walkway. The Mutrah Souk is small in comparison to the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul and it is not as glamorous as the malls of Dubai, but the genuine spirit of the merchants there makes it worthy of a visit. In addition to produce items like dates, some interesting offerings in this souk are frankincense, silver jewelry, traditional daggers and comfortable clothing that can be worn in the country’s desert climate.
Other local activities - Many boat tours are available to see the coastline, take a swim and watch dolphins. Other people enjoy seeing the Royal Opera House Muscat which matches the Grand Mosque in elegance and cultural ambiance, or the National Museum completed in 2016 to showcase the cultural heritage and history of Oman. For those seeking a relaxing evening or to just sit out and take in the flavor of the community, the Shatti Al Qurum Beach area is a pleasant area to visit. Located near many diplomatic residences and some hotels, the streets near the beach have many al fresco restaurants, cafes, and shops along the traditional food items available.