How about a place where community bonds are strengthened? That place is the Eidgah. Here before us stands the Eidgah in Muscat. It is more than just an open space. It is a place of gathering. It is a place of prayer. It is a place of unity for Muslims during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
The word Eidgah comes from Persian. “Id” means festival. “Gah” means place. Eidgah translates to “place of the festival”. Imagine thousands of Muslims gathering here. They stand shoulder to shoulder. This signifies equality and communal harmony. Islam advocates for these values.
The tradition of Eid prayers at an Eidgah goes back to the Prophet Muhammad. He led prayers in open fields. This Eidgah is cleaned and prepared days before the festival. Communities volunteer for the setup and maintenance.
Here at the Eidgah, prayers symbolize unity. People from all walks of life converge. They celebrate their faith. They reconnect with each other and their creator. The prayers are followed by sermons. Imams address the significance of the festival. They explain its application in daily life.
Oman’s culture is rooted in Islam. Nearly all Omanis are Muslim. They are divided between Sunnis and Ibadis. A small percentage are Shia. Omanis carefully observe religious obligations. They pray five times a day. Many men go to nearby mosques. During Ramadan, Omanis fast from dawn to dusk. It is against the law to eat or drink in public during daylight hours.
Oman has a long history. Arab tribes adopted Islam during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad. Since then Oman has remained an independent Arab and Muslim entity. The Omani national identity has evolved from its language, culture and Islam.
Oman is known for its tolerance. Ethnic, sectarian, or linguistic conflict rarely occurs. However tribal disputes are not unknown. The contemporary urban character of Omani culture has ties to Indian architecture. This is seen in mosques and public buildings. Earlier architectural styles reflected a simpler cultural expression. This was consistent with Ibadism, a relatively austere form of Islam.
Omani cuisine revolves around rice. The main meal is in early afternoon. It is a large dish of rice with a thin sauce and meat or fish. Pork is prohibited by Islam. The influence of Indian cooking is strong. Dates are important to the diet. They are also important to the ritual of hospitality. Dates and helwa a sweet confection are served to guests with coffee.
All land in Oman is officially owned by the state. However some land is privately held. The government provides Omanis with land for residences and farms. Agriculture and fishing are traditional activities. Dates and limes make up most of the country’s exports.
Men and women engage in agricultural activities. Men work the date gardens. Women tend to the fields of wheat and barley. Men go out in fishing boats. Women mend fishing nets. The elderly are respected. Their opinions are eagerly sought.
Oman is a sultanate. The sultan is the head of state and government. Senior members of the sultan’s family receive important government positions. There are no political parties. A limited electorate chooses candidates for the Majlis al-Shura. This is a consultative council dealing with social issues.
Omanis are polite and formal in public. Formulaic greetings are exchanged before discussion. Even educated women are often chaperoned at public events. Omanis tend to stand close to one another. It is common for friends of the same sex to hold hands.
As we stand here at the Eidgah let us reflect on the values it represents. Unity, equality, faith and community. It is a reminder of the rich cultural and religious heritage of Oman. It is a place where the community bonds together.