Loving Muslims Through Prayer | www.30-days.net » These tags are specific to the 30-Days Muslim prayer focus booklet http://www.30-days.net/muslims 107 Muslim countries, people groups and cities we pray for Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:07:12 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= Pray for Muslim cities in Oman http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/arabian-pen/oman/ http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/arabian-pen/oman/#comments Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:29:22 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-east/oman/ The Sultanate of Oman

oman-middle-east-30-days-netThe Sultanate of Oman, easily accessible from Dubai, is situated in the northeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. A little smaller than the United Kingdom, its major products and industries include petroleum, dates, citrus and tropical fruit, incense, mineral oil, fisheries, and tourism. Sultan Qaboos bin Said has ruled the country with a stable government for the past 35 years. In this time Oman has built up a modern infrastructure and is trying to enlarge its economy. Its five largest cities are Muscat, Salalah, Sohar, Nizwa and Sur.

Muscat (population: 514,000)

Muscat is the capital of Oman. Omanis from all over the country come here for study, government services, economic reasons, and medical treatment. A large percentage of the population is foreigners (engineers, specialists, university teachers, skilled workers), since it has only begun building up a university system in the last 30 years.

Salalah (population: 186,000)

Salalah is situated about 1,000 km southwest of Muscat - about 11 hours by bus through barren wastes. Salalah, the only area in Oman where the monsoon rain falls, is fruitful. At its greenest time in the autumn, thousands of visitors come for the Khareef festival. Because of its connection with the Sultanate of Zanzibar, off Tanzania, many Omanis in Salalah are Swahili-speaking. There are several Christian denominations in this city.

Sohar (population: 135,000)

Sohar is said to be the home of Sindbad, the famous Omani seafaring hero. It is considered a conservative city with a traditional lifestyle. Many of the older generation have not received any schooling.

Nizwa (population: 85,000)

Nizwa is situated about 85 km west of Muscat in the mountains. For centuries, the city has been famous as a center for handicrafts, craftsmen, and the arts. However, it is also a center for superstition and the occult. Silver amulets manufactured in Nizwa are worn in many parts of the Arab world.

Sur (population: 75,000)

Sur is the least evangelized Omani city, situated in the eastern point of Oman. Historically it is known for its famous shipyards, where ships are still being built and repaired. The famous Omani dhows sailed as far as China. The population is very conservative.

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Flag of Oman

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Map of Oman

Prayer guide for Oman:

* In Oman, 75% of the population follows Ibadi Islam, which is generally considered heretical by Sunnis. Ibadis believe that they are the "true" Muslims, making them even more resistant to Christianity. Pray that God may bring breakthroughs.

* Omanis are friendly and hospitable but restrained. They consider it impolite to discuss religious questions, making it difficult to have deep conversations with them. This may be a result of having been persecuted by Sunnis. Pray for the Holy Spirit to open hearts for conversation.

* There are many Christians among the foreign workers in Oman. Pray that their light will shine (Matt 5:14).

Background on Oman (World Factbook)

The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said al-Said ousted his father and has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a longstanding political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. In February and March 2011, in response to protester demands, QABOOS reshuffled his cabinet, pledged to create more government jobs, and promised to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting legislative and regulatory powers to the Council of Oman.

Economy of Oman

Oman is a middle-income economy in the Middle East with notable oil and gas resources, a substantial trade surplus, and low inflation. Tourism and gas-based industries are key components of the government's diversification strategy. By using enhanced oil recovery techniques, Oman succeeded in increasing oil production, giving the country more time to diversify, and the increase in global oil prices throughout 2010 provides the government greater financial resources to invest in non-oil sectors.

Statistics on Oman

Population: 3,027,959
note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2011 est.) World rank #135

Life Expectancy at Birth: 74.22. World rank #104

Ethnic groups: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African

Religions: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu) 25%

Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects

Literacy: 81.4% -- male: 86.8%, female: 73.5%

School life expectancy: 12 years

Muscat - Capital of Oman - Video

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/arabian-pen/oman/feed/ 15 Muslim Populations in Africa http://www.30-days.net/muslims/statistics/about-africa/ http://www.30-days.net/muslims/statistics/about-africa/#comments Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:06:45 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/muslims/statistics/about-africa/ muslims-in-africa

| · 936,269,259 million people or about 14% of the world's population live in 61 countries and territories throughout Africa.

Pray with us for these African countries. Muslims represent 41.3% of the population in Africa, growing at a rate of 2.5% per year (mainly as a result of having large families). Islam first spread from the Middle East to North Africa and then eventually towards the south. Islam is predominantly concentrated in North and Northeast Africa. For example, out of the 78 million people in the three nations of Northwest Africa (Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco), possibly only 50,000 are native believers in the Messiah. On our site you will see we have broken Africa down by region, Central (about 15 percent Muslim), East (about 29 percent Muslim), North (probably 89% Muslim), Southern (between 1 and 2 percent Muslim) and West Africa (about 54 percent Muslim).

Although we hear of many miracles and wonderful things happening in Africa there is also great persecution among many African Christians. As gulf-oil dollars help spread Islam we hear of many believers who become secret believers. Families often disown members who turn to the Messiah, confiscating their possessions. In some cases there are brutal beatings and even deaths as the type of Islam coming into Africa gets more dogmatic and controlling.

You can also search our site for Muslim People Groups such as: Beja, Dioula, Fulani, Gorane, Gypsies, Harar, Juba Arabs, Kabyle, Lebou, Maba, Myab, Nubian, Saharawi, Saho, Songhai, Soninke, Souss Berbers, Teda, Toucouleur, Tuaregs, Tuareg in Sahara, Worodougou, Yao and so forth.

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