Local traditions and culture in Oman

Women should cover their arms and legs in public. Hotels are fine. Never drink alcohol in the street.
Learn a few words Maharba -(Hullo). Salaamm Aleyakhom (formal greeting) and in return Aleyakhom Salaam

Tthe following poem was sent to me by my Omani friend Abdallah:

On this blessed and glorious occassion, I dedicated this poem to to you and loved ones!

The sky has changed so many hues,

from blue, to purple, to red
,
and a solitary cloud is floating by,

on the numerous upturned heads.

The people have gathered on their roofs,

to witness the moon of Eid,

and a wish flutters in every breast,

to be the first to perform this deed.

And then someone points to the moon,

so thin, so distant; yet clear,

many hands are raised instantly,

with hearts brimming with prayers.

With the heralding of the Eid,

the rejoicing has begun,

the bazaars have come to life again,

and the youths rush there for fun.

The girls are displaying their exotic clothes,

and the children are playing in streets,

and Grandmas, Grandpas are remembering old days,

of their childhood and hilarious deeds.

Moms are preparing for delicious dishes,

while fathers are greeting friends,

and a naughty child is at his tricks again,

bringing laughter from his sister's friends.

O'ye people, on far off lands,

may all of you be blessed,

and this very auspicious Eid,

may always brightens your nests.

I donot ask you to tell,

your colour, class or creed,

I just wish all of you,

a very happy Eid.


Abdallah

“A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining and wants it back the minute it begins to rain”!

Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Zul-Hijja.

1st Zul-Hijja 1421 AH should be on 25th February 2001 for most of the world pending the sighting of the crescent on the previous evening (24th Feb 2001).
This festival is incorporated in the great pilgrimage to Mecca which should properly be made during this month but it is also observed all over the Muslim world at the same time. The underlying importance of this festival is the spirit of sacrifice (qurbani) in memory of Abraham's great act of faith many centuries ago.

Eid-ul-Adha is, according to Islamic teaching, a time for Muslims to learn the value of self-denial by making a sacrifice of something living to God.

Ramadan is the holy month in which Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Holy Koran. It is also party time a wonderful celebrative time of year. Shops all open late everyone out late on the streets. All in all great fun. As a visited you have to be discreet

But, ….Courtesy and hospitality are among the most highly prized virtues of the Arab world, and the visitor is sure to be charmed by the genuine warmth and friendliness of the people. At Ramadan this is really true and you will be asked to eat some apricots ands served freshly ground Arabic coffee flavoured with cardamom is a sign of welcome. This is poured from the traditional long-spouted Arabic coffee pot into small cups with no handles. It is considered polite to accept one, two or three cups and then shake the cup gently from side to side to indicate you have had enough.

Enjoy it is my favorite time of year to visit in Arabia.

Handicrafts in Oman are so many which are considered a big part of Omani culture...the 'Khanjar' is a silver wear for men ... it was used as a weapon in the past ... its also used as a logo of the country..
any Omani man proud to wear the 'Khanjar'.

Never wear shorts in small towns and villages. Even in Muscat, many locals find it offensive. It's best to save them for the beaches. And never, ever wear such clothing -- or eat or drink -- in public if you are here during the fasting month of Ramadhan.

You won't need much Arabic when you're in Oman, but you do need to read the numbers. Note that the upper row is the printed form; the lower row is handwritten. And the '0' is a raised dot. Decimal points are indicated, as in German or French, with what looks like a comma. Here they are: