A Little Taste of India in Oman

As has been iterated to me several times, India and Oman have an intimate history. The two cultures and countries have been exchanging people and and goods for centuries, probably millenia. Therefore, it shouldn't have been much of a surprise to me when our good Indian friend in Oman Deepkamal invited us to participate in an Indian festival being hosted in his neighborhood. However, as I walked into the venue, had a little traditional food, and then started participating in the traditional stick dancing that is such a part of Kuvrati culture, I couldn't help myself from thinking - I can't believe I'm in Oman right now. From everything that I could see, Brett, David and I were the only people present who were not Indian themselves - there were certainly no Omanis there. Yet, what struck me as incredible was not my own contrast with our Indian hosts, by simple visuals and our bad dancing, but the simple fact that this festival was taking place in Oman. None of the women were veiled, men and women were free to speak and interact, and a likeness of an Indian god was present where those who chose were free to make their prayers and offerings. And this festival was not done in secret. To be completely honest, I couldn't believe that I was in a Muslim country.

Maybe it is simply due to my own ignorance about the true tolerance of Islam for other people's cultures and beliefs. Maybe it is simply another testament to the openness and warmth of the Omani people and culture. Perhaps it is a little bit of both.

After the last week's events of the Eid celebration, which itself alone was enough to move mountains within me, and then this simple show of acceptance and openness, I cannot help but to say that I love this country.

Oh yeah, and the festival was a blast too.