It is unlikely that anyone will be taken to challenge the fact that the Sultanate of Oman - one of the most interesting and the identity of the world. One can only sincerely regret that many of us know about it only that it is «one of the oil of the Gulf», located adjacent to the UAE. Meanwhile, Oman existed for thousands of years before the establishment of Emirates, and the mention of it occurs even in Sumerian manuscripts. And residents of this Arab country located in south-eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, one of the first accepted Islam, as evidenced by the message of the Prophet Muhammad, carefully stored in the Omani capital of Muscat today.
In contrast to almost all its neighbors, from Oman - a great and glorious, you can say, imperial history, which began not with the discovery of oil. Suffice it to mention that after the expulsion of the Portuguese conquerors in 1650, in possession of the Sultanate joined the great spaces of East Africa and India. It is safe to say that this country with nothing and no comparable historical heritage, diversity is not tired of striking. Here there is much to discover. More than a hundred forts, each with their secrets, ancient sailing-dou, come once to China, the ancient stone tombs on the planet, resembling a pyramid … And: arrived in Muscat in the days of the traditional festival, we have seen with my own eyes that the people’s traditions and atmosphere, there is no identity to require tourists, but because of commitment to traditional values. Camel races and fighting bulls, folk dances, and plangent balladry Bedouin - are not tourist attractions for fun stopping foreigners, but truly a part of life for the people.
Today, every visitor to Oman can not help notice the natural combination in this country, old traditions and modernity. One does not with another, but rather the opposite: there is a surprising sense of harmony and connection with ancestors, where past and present have become like a single and inseparable entity.
Modern History of Oman has started only a few decades ago - in 1970, which came to power Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said. In his speech during the ascent to the throne, turning to the fellow, he said: «My friends, my brothers, the past was dark, but with God’s help, the bright light vossiyaet for Oman and all its people». Time has shown that these were not empty words. Over the years, the Sultanate has left the old insulation and virtually free of illiteracy impede its progress. If in 1970 there were only three schools, now there are more than a thousand, and there is a university. Young Omanis began to issue funds to continue their education abroad. Modern roads have connected the most remote villages, windows zasiyali electric lights, and their residents first learned that such a modern water supply and irrigation system.
B. Prussian officer with the Ministry of Information of Oman Al Bilushi
It is impossible not to mention the fact that the first days of his reign Sultan Qaboos began to worry about addressing not only physical, but and spiritual needs of his subjects: on his own funds were built hundreds of mosques throughout the country. And in May 2001 under a blue sky Muscat has one of the masterpieces of contemporary religious architecture: the main mosque of Sultan Qaboos. Its construction took more than six years. When visiting the mosque, you know that many years of work and enormous material resources were not spent in vain. As rightly observed one Western journalist, the largest mosque of Oman is «an invaluable contribution to the Islamic heritage, which can rightly be proud of all the inhabitants of the country».
Leaving the same territory of the majestic Sultan Mosque, immediately plunge krugovert in the big city, with the usual problems «traffic» and other required attributes of modern civilization. However, somewhere after fifteen minutes you can be, for example, in front of the Central National Bank. But even the fans of the golden temple of the current bull strikes svoeobychnostyu. Thus, the main gate of the bank, showing the fine taste and skill of local craftsmen, as they say, made of pure gold. When you look at them as if by itself raises the idea that Oman will be able to unscrew from any crisis!
Anyone visiting this country, probably can not help but draw attention to the fact what is beautiful sandy beaches, which are typically half-or unique-wild. In contrast, again, from the neighboring states, the local nature shakes its diversity: marine fjords, picturesque mountains and rocks, rare animals, desert, and even … geysers!
It seems that that all lovers of the exotic, want to get acquainted with the Arab East, one can confidently recommend to come here. Moreover, the residents of Oman does not shun foreigners and do not examine them with suspicion, as it is done in some Middle Eastern countries. Do Omanis - open friendly nature, and they are completely deprived of hypocrisy and false smiles, which are often encountered in other places. As accurately observed by one repeatedly visited the Sultanate of Russian journalist: «here know the country through the people». And this, of course, the best way of learning. On the beach in Muscat, you can often see such a beautiful image: a man in a white woman and dishdashe in a black hijab slowly bredut at the edge of the surf, taking each other’s hands. They are calm, confident and with dignity, as, perhaps, were their ancestors hundreds of years ago. Looking at them, one can not help thinking that life is something more important and significant than any crisis, and other nonsense that we so foolish to spend their very limited power and time. And this, obviously, no need to ever forget. Just like that, the Koran says:
After all power over heaven and earth
belongs to Allah,
And just come back to it all.
