Christianity in Oman

Christianity is the religion of 2.5% of the population of Oman, which are 64,000 persons. 90 Christian congregations exist in Oman.[1]

Almost all Christians are from other countries.[2] Most of them are from the Philippines, India or Western countries.[3] At least one St Thomas Christian church is present in Oman.[4] More than 50 different Christian groups, fellowships, and assemblies are active in the Muscat metropolitan area.[5] The Protestant Church of Oman, the Catholic Diocese of Oman and the al Amana Center (interdenominational Christian) are recognized by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs.[6] There are Christian schools in Oman.[7]

Proselytizing Muslims is forbidden.[8] There are, however, cases in which a Muslim will adopt the Christian faith, secretly declaring his/her apostasy. In effect, they are practising Christians, but legally Muslims; thus, the statistics of Omani Christians does not include Muslim apostates to Christianity. Instruction in Islam is compulsory in public schools.[9] A 2015 study estimates a mere 200 believers in Christ from a Muslim background in the country, and not all of those are necessarily citizens.[10]

Catholicism

According to the 2005 census 3,001 Catholics live in Oman. Oman belongs to the area of the Apostolic Vicariate of Arabia. 21 Catholic congregations exist in Oman.[11]

Protestantism

0.4% of the persons in Oman are Protestants.[12] Oman belongs to the area of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East.[13] 21 Protestant denominations are present in Oman.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Oman Facts".
  2. ↑ "Operation World".
  3. ↑ "Commission Magazine on international Christian Missions".
  4. ↑ "Central Valley Christian Schools".
  5. ↑ "U. S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report 2007".
  6. ↑ "U. S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report 2007".
  7. ↑ "Page in German on Christians in Muslim countries".
  8. ↑ "The Voice of the Martyrs".
  9. ↑ "U. S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report 2007".
  10. ↑ Johnstone, Patrick; Miller, Duane Alexander (2015). "Believers in Christ from a Muslim Background: a global census". IJRR 11: 17. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  11. ↑ "Oman Facts".
  12. ↑ "Un Coeur pour le Monde".
  13. ↑ "Anglicans Online".
  14. ↑ "Oman Facts".

External links

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