Oman operates under Ibadi Islam, a sect distinct from both Sunni and Shia traditions that emerged in the 7th century during the first Islamic civil war. Approximately 45 percent of Omani citizens practice Ibadism, while 45 percent follow Sunni Islam and 5 percent follow Shia Islam, with the remaining 5 percent comprising Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists, predominantly among the expatriate population. Ibadism emphasizes consensus-based leadership and rejects the necessity of rule by descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, which historically allowed for elected imams rather than hereditary succession. The doctrine promotes quietism and discourages sectarian conflict, which explains Oman's relative religious tolerance compared to neighboring Gulf states. The Omani government does not maintain religious police forces equivalent to those in Saudi Arabia, and non-Muslims can practice their faith privately, though proselytizing to Muslims remains illegal under Article 209 of the Penal Code with penalties up to three years imprisonment.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, completed in 2001, functions as the primary congregational mosque and accommodates 20,000 worshippers. The prayer hall contains a single-piece Persian carpet measuring 4,343 square meters and weighing 21 tonnes, which held the record as the world's largest single-piece carpet until 2007. The mosque's chandelier measures 14 meters in height and contains 1,122 Swarovski crystal lamps. Non-Muslims can visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque from Saturday to Thursday between 8:00 and 11:00 AM, excluding prayer times and religious holidays, making it one of the few mosques in the Arabian Peninsula open to non-Muslim visitors. Women must wear headscarves, and both genders must cover arms and legs to the wrist and ankle respectively. Photography is permitted in outdoor areas but restricted inside prayer halls without explicit permission from mosque staff.
Daily prayer observance shapes commercial and government schedules throughout Oman. Government offices operate Sunday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM, with no afternoon reopening. Private businesses typically close for 30 to 60 minutes during Dhuhr, the midday prayer occurring approximately between 12:00 and 1:30 PM depending on season. During Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, working hours for government offices reduce to 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and many private establishments close entirely during daylight hours, reopening after Maghrib prayer at sunset. Eating, drinking, or smoking in public spaces during Ramadan daylight hours violates Article 269 of the Penal Code, with penalties including fines up to 300 Omani Riyals or imprisonment up to one month for both Muslims and non-Muslims. Restaurants either close completely during Ramadan or serve food only in curtained-off sections invisible from outside.
The weekend in Oman occurs Friday and Saturday, changed from Thursday-Friday in 2013 to align partially with Western business schedules while maintaining Friday as the primary day of congregational prayer. Friday prayer, or Jumu'ah, typically occurs between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM and requires attendance from adult Muslim males, though not legally enforced. Most businesses close Friday morning and reopen Friday afternoon after approximately 4:00 PM. Banks operate Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, closing entirely on Friday and Saturday. Shopping malls adjusted to this pattern by opening later on Fridays, typically after 2:00 PM, and extending hours on Thursday evenings until 11:00 PM or midnight to accommodate weekend shopping.
Traditional Omani dress remains standard daily wear for citizens in both urban and rural areas, unlike some Gulf states where Western clothing has become commonplace. Men wear the dishdasha, a full-length collarless robe typically white in winter and pastel shades in summer, though darker colors appear occasionally. The kumma, an intricately embroidered cap, distinguishes Omani male dress from the gutrah and agal worn in neighboring countries. The kumma varies by region, with Muscat styles featuring tight geometric patterns and Sur styles displaying looser floral motifs. Omani men also carry the khanjar, a traditional curved dagger worn on a belt at the waist, particularly during formal occasions and celebrations. The khanjar serves purely ceremonial purposes in contemporary Oman, though it appears on the national flag and emblem. Women wear the abaya, a loose black overgarment, often with colorful dresses underneath, and the hijab headscarf. The lihaf, a thin head covering with embroidered edges, appears in more traditional contexts, particularly in rural Dhofar Region and interior towns like Nizwa and Bahla.
Gender segregation operates informally in Oman rather than through legal enforcement. Restaurants do not maintain separate family and single-male sections as mandated in Saudi Arabia, though some traditional establishments offer divided seating areas by convention. The Royal Opera House Muscat, opened in 2011, allows mixed-gender seating in its 1,100-seat auditorium, reflecting Oman's more moderate social approach. Women drive without restriction and have since before the 1970 ascension of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, unlike Saudi Arabia which only permitted female driving from 2018. Female workforce participation remains at 27 percent according to 2020 World Bank data, concentrated in education and healthcare sectors. Women require no male guardian permission for employment, travel, or medical procedures under Omani law, though family pressure functions independently of legal frameworks.
Alcohol availability distinguishes Oman from stricter Gulf states while maintaining Islamic principles. Licensed hotels and a limited number of restaurants can serve alcohol to non-Muslims, with approximately 200 such licenses active as of 2023. The Oman government operates no alcohol retail monopoly equivalent to Qatar Distribution Company, but non-Muslim residents with liquor permits can purchase alcohol from licensed hotel shops. The permit system requires employer sponsorship and restricts monthly purchase limits based on salary level, typically allowing 10 to 30 liters of spirits or equivalent wine and beer. Tourist visitors cannot obtain liquor permits but can consume alcohol in licensed hotel bars and restaurants. Driving while intoxicated carries mandatory penalties including fines starting at 300 Omani Riyals, license suspension for three months minimum, and potential imprisonment for accidents causing injury. Blood alcohol limits sit at zero tolerance levels, making any detectable amount an offense.
Friday gatherings extend beyond mosques into family structures. Extended families commonly gather for Friday lunch, the week's primary meal, typically featuring shuwa during celebrations or majboos for regular occasions. Shuwa preparation begins Thursday evening or Friday early morning, with spiced lamb or goat wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in underground sand ovens for 24 to 48 hours. The dish appears primarily during Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and weddings rather than weekly. Families spread plastic sheets on floors for communal eating, sitting on cushions around shared platters, eating with the right hand in accordance with Islamic tradition. Urban apartments increasingly include Western dining tables, though floor-sitting remains standard for traditional occasions and in rural areas.
Coffee service follows specific protocols integral to Omani hospitality. Kahwa, Omani coffee flavored with cardamom and sometimes rose water or saffron, appears in distinctive brass pots with elongated spouts called dallah. Hosts pour small amounts into handleless cups called finjan, which guests accept with the right hand. Drinking three cups represents polite acceptance of hospitality, though guests can refuse refills by tilting the empty cup side to side rather than returning it to the host. Dates accompany coffee service universally, with Oman cultivating over 250 date varieties. The khalas variety, grown primarily in Al Batinah Coast region, commands premium prices exceeding 15 Omani Riyals per kilogram in Mutrah Souq due to its soft texture and rich sweetness. Omani halwa, a gelatinous sweet made from sugar, honey, rose water, and nuts, also accompanies coffee in formal settings and business meetings.