Oman operates under Islamic law and tribal custom, with enforcement considerably stricter than neighboring UAE. The Sultanate follows the Ibadi school of Islam, which represents approximately 75 percent of the Omani population and differs from both Sunni and Shia traditions in its emphasis on theological moderation and communal leadership selection. This distinction shapes daily interactions. Public displays of affection beyond hand-holding between married couples violate decency laws and carry fines starting at 100 Omani Rial. Kissing in public has resulted in deportation for foreign nationals. Photography of government buildings, military installations, and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque exterior without permission is prohibited. Photographing Omani nationals, particularly women, without explicit consent violates privacy laws. The Royal Oman Police enforce these restrictions at checkpoints throughout Muscat and along the Batinah Coast.
Dress codes carry legal weight. The Royal Oman Police Public Decency Guidelines issued in 2018 specify that clothing must cover shoulders and knees in all public spaces. This applies equally to shopping malls in Muscat, souqs in Nizwa, and beaches along the Gulf of Oman. Women entering the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque must wear loose clothing covering wrists and ankles plus a headscarf provided at entry. Men cannot wear shorts inside. The mosque opens to non-Muslims Saturday through Thursday from 8:00 to 11:00 only. Zawawi Mosque and Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque do not permit non-Muslim entry. Tank tops, sleeveless shirts, and shorts above the knee worn in Mutrah Souq or Muttrah Corniche attract immediate police attention. Fines start at 50 Omani Rial. Swimwear remains acceptable at hotel beaches and designated public beaches like Qurum Beach, but walking from car to sand requires a coverup. Women sunbathing topless is illegal nationwide and prosecuted.
Ramadan observance is compulsory in public. Eating, drinking, or smoking in view of others between dawn and sunset during the lunar month violates Article 269 of the Omani Penal Code, carrying fines up to 300 Omani Rial or one month imprisonment. This includes inside parked cars if visible from outside, on construction sites, and in office buildings unless in specifically designated closed rooms. Hotels provide screened dining areas for non-Muslim guests. Most restaurants close entirely during daylight hours. Grocery stores in Muscat remain open but cordon off food sections until evening. The 2024 Ramadan period ran from March 11 to April 9. Working hours across Oman shortened to six hours daily, altering government service access and business operations. Music in public spaces, including car stereos at audible volume, is restricted during this period.
Alcohol regulations are specific and enforced. Non-Muslim foreign residents holding valid residence visas may apply for a liquor license through the Royal Oman Police, allowing purchase from designated stores operated by Oman Alcohol Distribution Company. The monthly allowance is calculated as 10 percent of declared salary. Tourists cannot purchase alcohol in Oman except within licensed hotel restaurants and bars. Consumption outside these venues is illegal. Drinking in parks, beaches, wadis including Wadi Shab and Wadi Bani Khalid, or any public area results in arrest. Drunk driving carries automatic imprisonment starting at one month and fines of 1,000 Omani Rial minimum. Blood alcohol limit is 0.00 percent. Bringing alcohol into Oman through Muscat International Airport or any land border is prohibited. Customs officials conduct baggage searches specifically for alcohol. Drug laws permit no discretion. Possession of any quantity of narcotics including cannabis carries minimum four years imprisonment. Trafficking has resulted in death penalty sentences, though Sultan Haitham bin Tariq has not authorized any executions since assuming power in January 2020.
Greetings follow Arabian Peninsula convention with Omani-specific elements. Men shake hands with other men using the right hand only, often placing the left hand over the heart afterward. This gesture appears throughout interactions with government officials at visa offices, hotel check-ins in Salalah or Sohar, and business meetings. Women do not shake hands with men unless the woman extends her hand first. Many Omani women will not, and this choice requires no acknowledgment. Foreign women should not initiate handshakes with Omani men. Between women, handshakes and cheek kisses on both sides are standard. The verbal greeting "As-salamu alaykum" (peace be upon you) with response "Wa alaykumu s-salam" (and upon you peace) is appropriate for foreigners to use. In Dhofar Region and areas near the Yemeni border, tribal affiliations remain significant. Asking "Min wain?" (where are you from) refers to tribal origin, not nationality, and foreign visitors should avoid this question. Omani nationals wearing the kumma (embroidered cap) with specific regional patterns identify tribal and geographic affiliation. The patterns differ between Muscat, Nizwa, Sur, and the Musandam Peninsula.
Gender segregation structures public life. Restaurants throughout Oman maintain family sections separate from singles sections. Family sections admit women, children, and accompanying male relatives. Singles sections serve only men. Women dining alone or in female-only groups must use family sections. Coffee shops in Muscat including those in Muscat Grand Mall and Oman Avenues Mall post signs indicating which areas are family-designated. Public parks like Qurum Natural Park and Al Naseem Park designate certain days as family-only, prohibiting single men. Government offices including those processing visa extensions maintain separate queues and service windows for women. Banks operate similarly. The Royal Opera House Muscat enforces gender-separated seating in certain sections for traditional performances. Beach access at public locations like Yiti Beach separates by gender, with Thursday and Friday reserved for families while other days permit mixed access in designated zones.
Business etiquette prioritizes relationship establishment over transaction speed. Meetings in Muscat, Sohar Industrial Port area, and Duqm Special Economic Zone begin with extended conversation about family, health, and general topics before addressing business matters. This period typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes. Rushing this phase is read as disrespect. Kahwa (Omani coffee flavored with cardamom) and dates are offered at the start of meetings. Accepting at least one cup is expected. The coffee is poured in small quantities into handleless cups. Tilting the empty cup side to side signals you have had enough. Business cards are exchanged using the right hand or both hands, never the left hand alone. Cards should show English on one side and Arabic on the reverse. Meeting schedules operate flexibly. A confirmed 10:00 meeting may begin at 10:30 or 11:00 without apology. This does not indicate lack of interest. Government offices close at 14:00, making morning meetings essential. Friday is the official weekly holiday, with Thursday afternoon also typically non-working. The work week runs Sunday through Thursday.
Home invitations carry specific protocols. Shoes must be removed at the entrance to Omani homes. Hosts provide indoor sandals or guests proceed in socks. Seating occurs on floor cushions in the majlis (reception room) of traditional homes, with guests directed to positions against the wall. The seat farthest from the door holds highest status. Women and men gather in separate rooms unless all present are from the same immediate family. Declining food offered by hosts is inappropriate. Accepting dates and coffee is mandatory. Meals center on communal platters placed on floor cloths. Eating occurs with the right hand only. Taking bread, tearing it, and using it to scoop rice and meat is standard. Guests should eat from the section of the platter directly in front of them, not reaching across. The host places choice meat pieces in front of honored guests. Leaving immediately after eating is improper. Post-meal conversation over additional coffee and frankincense burning lasts a minimum of 30 minutes. Frankincense smoke is waved toward oneself three times using the right hand.