Thread: News from #Oman hasn’t received due attention

Sultan #Haitham returns revoked nationality to grandsons of Oman’s last #imam Ghalib Al-Hinai (1912-2009).

Oman was divided & ruled by 2 political systems, imamate in al-dakhil (interior) & sultanate in al-sahil (coast). https://twitter.com/jalarb/status/1249538805973037056

2. Sultan Said bin Taimur (r. 1932-70) was aided by the #British in his drive to unify Muscat & Oman. Electing Ghalib Bin Hinai into imam post in 1954 was an opportune time to start their offensive. Ghalib was voted in after death of Imam Mohamad al-Khalili (r.1919-54).

3. The offensive was met by resistance leading to Jebel Akhdar (Green Mt.) War from 54-59 w/ air attacks winning the day for the Sultanate and unifying Oman. Imam & followers continued to be a source of trouble till early 1970s when #Qaboos consolidated power.

4. The Imamate breathed some life in the 50s & was able to resist b/c of some Arab support including from #KSA. This has led Hinai and key supporters to seek refuge in Dammam & continue living there.

5. When Qaboos assumed power, he tried to return Ghalib. They reportedly disagreed over titles. Qaboos was smart enough to coopt other Imamate descendants, incl Ahmed Al-Khalili who he appointed as mufti (new role) in 1975 & who is now longest serving mufti in the Arab world...

I had pleasure of studying Imam Khalili’s tenure and works along with meeting him (below pic). More on Khalili & Oman’s religious institutions in an upcoming publication.

6. Imam Ghalib’s descendants contributed to Saudi public life, including teaching at @KFUPM.

7. Theme of conflict in modern Oman usually centers #Dhofar Rebellion/War (62-76), but the Green Mt. War of the 1950s is as important.

8. #Qaboos successfully integrated many of Dhofar’s previous “rebels,” incl current state foreign minister Yusuf Bin Alawi. Qaboos tried to do the same with Ghalib, but ended up integrating other interior Imamate families like Khalili.

9. #Haitham’s step follows the Qaboos guidebook & reaffirms reconciliation as a key component of modern Oman. New sultan is closing previously open chapters and welcoming back Omanis who fled for political reasons.

Will other Gulf states follow suit?