Cultural Connect
India and Oman, both, have a rich cultural and literary tradition and are proud of their socio-cultural heritage. The use of the Arabic language and writing is widespread in India, and India gave birth to a galaxy of Arabic scholars and poets. During the Abbasid period, Indian scholars were invited to the Court to translate some famous Sanskrit books into Arabic.
There are more than 800,000 Indian expatriates in Oman, working in a vast array of professions. The expatriate Indian community in Oman is held in high regard for their professionalism and hard work. The Indian expatriate community regularly hosts performances by famousIndian cultural artistes, film personalities and singers. The warm, unequivocal and enthusiastic cultural synergyof the India-Oman relationship is sustained and nurtured by this vibrant Indian expatriate community.
Over the years, India and Oman have strengthened their centuries-old civilisational links and their historical socio-economic relations. The Centre of Arabic and African Studies in Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi organised a two-day international seminar on the‘ Literary and Cultural Legacy of Oman and India’ in 2010 to highlight the achievements and contributions of Oman and India in these fields. The two countries signed an MoU for cultural cooperation in 2010. National Archives of India and the National Records and Archive Authority of Oman actively cooperate under this MoU. During the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Oman, the two nations agreed to expand the cultural reciprocity by regular exchange of cultural troupes and to host cultural festivals.
The Embassy of India organised a 6-month long Festival of India in Oman from November 2016 to March 2017. The festival was hosted by the Indian Embassy to showcase India’ s diverse culture, traditions, and heritage to the people of Oman. The festival events were organised in all major cities of Oman. Embassy of India hosted a Special Reception to celebrate India’ s70thIndependence Day in 2017 and held many Seminars, Essay Competitions, Painting Competitions, cultural performances,
The Indian tourism industry is versatile and gives packages suited to different tastes and requirements. Omani nationals can savour the beauty of the deserts of Rajasthan and have a very different experience.
and musical performances throughout the year. Indian Social Clubs of Oman and the Indian Schools actively took part in the India @ 70celebration.
On the 4thInternational Day of Yoga on 21 June 2018, around 5,000 persons participated in the Yoga display at the Oman International Exhibition Centre which included Omanis, expatriates from other countries and members of the Indian Diaspora. During the visit of PM Modi, Omani functionariesappreciated his role in getting 21 June declared as the International Day of Yoga by the United Nations and India’ s efforts to propagate Yoga to create a healthy world. PM Modi, in return, thanked the Omani Government for supporting the celebration of the International Day of Yoga.
About 5,000 persons, including Omanis, Indians and other expatriates, joined the celebration of the 4th International Day of Yoga in Muscat on 21 June 2018
Religious Diversity and Tolerance
Oman isan exceptional nationin the Middle East which guarantees the freedom of religious belief to its residents. There are two Hindu temples in Oman, of which one is more than a hundred years old, which regularly hold prayers and celebrate Hindu festivals. Rights of cremation, as per their religious custom, are granted to Hindus. There are nearly four smallgurudwaras for Sikhs and seven churches for various Christian sects living in the country. The Omani government has permitted the Indian Community to build a permanent gurudwara and a big temple in Oman.
44 • INDIA-OMAN • 2018