Thegovernment of Oman does not keep statistics on religious affiliation. According to theCIA World Factbook, as of 2020,Muslims are in the majority at 85.9%, withChristians at 6.4%,Hindu at 5.7%, and other religious affiliations and unaffiliated at 2%.[1]
In 2020, most Omani Muslims are followers ofIbadi Islam, and theSunni branch of Islam[2] In 2020, an estimated 45% of Omani citizens are Ibadi and 45% are Sunni Muslims. Only 5% are Shias and the rest are of other faiths such asHinduism orChristianity.[3]
Virtually all non-Muslims in Oman are foreign workers.
Oman has communities of ethnic IndianHindus. Muscat has two Hindu temples. One of them is over a hundred years old. There is a significantSikh community in Oman. Though there are no permanentgurdwaras, many smaller ones in makeshift camps exist and are recognised by the government. The Government of India had signed an accord in 2008 with the Omani government to build a permanent gurdwara but as of now, little progress has been made.[4]
Christian communities are centered in the major urban areas ofMuscat,Sohar andSalalah. These includeCatholic,Eastern Orthodox and variousProtestant congregations, organizing along linguistic and ethnic lines. More than 50 different Christian groups, fellowships and assemblies are active in the Muscat metropolitan area, formed by migrant workers from Southeast Asia.
In 2023, the country was scored 2 out of 4 for religious freedom.[5]
In the same year, it was ranked as the 47th worst place in the world to be a Christian.[6]
Oman is unusual because its Sunni and Shia residents are outnumbered by a third sect, the Ibadis, who constitute more than half the population.
Media related toReligion in Oman at Wikimedia Commons
