Hinduism in Oman
 Motishwar Mandir in Oman is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Middle East. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
259.780 (2020) ; 5.5% of total population | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Muscat | |
| Religions | |
| Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Indians in Oman and Hindus |
Hinduism is the second-largest religion in Oman, practised by 5.5% of its population.[1]
History
[edit]The cities of Sur, Sohar, Muttrah, and Muscat were home to Hindu trading communities, often accompanied by their families, as early as the 17th century. Historical records from Ibn Ruzaiq indicate that in 1650, a Portuguese commander named Pereira sought to marry the daughter of a Hindu trader living in Oman. Later, in 1765, the Danish traveler Nibuhr documented the presence of around 1,200 Hindus in Muscat alone. He writes:
In no other Mahometan city are the Indians so numerous as in Maskat; their number in this city amounts to no fewer than 1,200. They are permitted to live agreeable to their own laws, to bring wives hither, to set up idols in their chambers, and to burn their dead.
Hindu traders were not limited to commerce and customs duties; they were also active in money lending and were widely regarded as trustworthy and honest.[2]
For centuries, Muscat attracted Hindu merchants involved in various trades, including pearls and grains.[3] 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.[3] By 1970, local accounts suggested that more than 120 families could trace their continuous residence in Oman back to 1900, which would have made them eligible for citizenship. However, complications in the citizenship process prevented this from being fully realized.[2] The historical quarters of al-Waljat and al-Banyan are no longer occupied by Hindus.[3]
Demographics
[edit]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.[4] According to the CIA, there are 259,780 Hindus constituting 5.5% of population.[1]
Temples
[edit]
There are two officially recognized Hindu temples in Oman.[5] The Shiva temple in Muscat (Motishwar Mandir) in Oman is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Middle East region.[6] The other is the Krishna Temple, also in Muscat.[7]
Famous Omani Hindus
[edit]- Kanaksi Khimji was the only Hindu Sheikh in the world[8]
- Hemal Mehta, cricketer
- Ajay Lalcheta, cricketer
- Suraj Kumar, cricketer
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]
- 1 2 "Middle East OMAN". CIA The World Factbook. Archived from the original on January 14, 2026.
- 1 2 Mehta, Sandhya Rao (2022-10-30), "Strategic Belonging: Hindu Identity and Performance in Oman", Asian Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, Asian Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, Taylor and Francis, pp. 1–15, retrieved 2026-03-31
- 1 2 3 J.E. Peterson,Oman's diverse society: Northern Oman, Middle East Journal, Vol. 58, Nr. 1, Winter 2004
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "International Religious Freedom Report Oman for 2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
- ↑ Staff Report (19 December 2020). "Modi visits 125-year-old Shiva temple". GulfNews. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
- ↑ "PM Modi to visit 200-year old Shiva temple in Muscat". dnaindia. 12 February 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
- ↑ Runa Mukherjee Parikh (11 May 2013). "World's only Hindu Sheikh traces his roots to Gujarat". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
