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Dhofar, the southern governorate of Oman, lies within a distinctive ecological zone due to the summer Southwest Monsoon. It is home to numerous indigenous succulent plants, the most famous of which is frankincense (Boswellia sacra). The region, tied in the past to both Oman and Yemen, has a long and distinguished archaeological past stretching back to the Lower Paleolithic ca. 1.5 my BP. Dhofar is also home to a distinctive people, the Modern South Arabian Languages speakers (MSAL) since at least the last 15,000 years. Ancient Zafar (Al-Habudi), now called Al-Baleed, and its successor Salalah was and is the province's largest city. From the seventh century onwards until the arrival of the Portuguese in 1504 AD Al-Baleed dominated the central southern Arabian coastline politically and economically. Archaeological surveys and excavations in the governorate, beginning in 1954, have brought to light Dhofar's ancient past

In the 1890s, France made a “comeback” in Oman and in the Western Indian Ocean that took various forms: the “Muscat French dhows” in the Western Indian Ocean and the Muscat coaling station manifest this renewed French imperialism. However, this reiterated French presence in Oman was a source of growing tensions between France and Britain just as London and Paris had begun the negotiations for the signature of the Entente Cordiale. This chapter highlights an episode that challenged the Franco-British rapprochement: the coaling-station affair. This chapter argues that this affair almost led to a new “Fashoda” in the sea of Oman. Resolved at France’s expense, this affair stands as an illustration of the strategic importance of Oman and the Gulf during the age of New Imperialism and of British India’s political autonomy from London.

Those who have participated in organized political violence often develop distinctive identities as veteran combatants. But what possibilities exist to produce a veteran identity for “invisible” veterans denied public recognition or mention, such as politically repressed defeated insurgents? Everyday socializing during or after political violence can help restore social worlds threatened or destroyed by violence; an examination of “invisible” veteran defeated revolutionaries in Dhufar, Oman, shows how everyday socializing can help reproduce a distinctive veteran identity despite political repression. Ethnographic fieldwork with veteran militants from the defeated revolutionary liberation movement for Dhufar reveals that while veterans (who are a diverse group) no longer publicly reproduce their political and economic revolutionary ideals, some male veterans—through everyday, same-sex socializing—reproduce revolutionary ideals of social, especially tribal and ethnic, egalitarianism. These practices mark a distinctive veteran identity and indicate an “afterlife” of lasting social legacies of defeated revolution.

The current study aims to identify the practice of civic engagement in the community-managed libraries in Oman. Community-Managed library is an act of making the library space available for community’s activities, by working in partnership with the voluntary and community sector and other public services. In addition, it is usually involving users as volunteers in the delivery of library services and the organization of activities, that supports and involves the community in various levels of decision making process, work around books and engage in public dialogues and deliberations.A qualitative survey was used to identify the stakeholders’ perception towards the adoption of civic engagement, as a method to develop and sustain these libraries. Stakeholders’ suggestions to overcome the challenges, currently faced by these libraries were also identified. Triangulation method was used to gather information from social media of the libraries beside the open survey. It was discovered that, the six aspects of civic participation are practiced in the community-managed libraries’ and seen in various activities and programs. However, the libraries founders must be motivated through appreciation and support from the government, private sector and other organizations, in order to develop their libraries and keep them sustainable. Finally, the community-managed libraries could model public libraries or serve as extension in the country.

Das Anliegen dieses Aufsatzes ist es, eine Sammlung von Märchen und populären Erzählungen aus dem südlichen Oman vorzustellen, um zu zeigen, dass viele der historischen materiellen und kulturellen Setzungen heute noch Bestand haben. Die Erzählungen wurden in den 1970er Jahren in Gibali (auch Jibbalo oder Shari genannt) aufgezeichnet; Gibali ist eine nicht-schriftliche, moderne südarabische Sprache (Rubin 2014). Die Analyse konzentriert sich nicht auf klassische Erzähltypen, sondern bezieht sich vielmehr auf die alltäglichen Lebenszusammenhänge, die sich in den Geschichten der Dhofari spiegeln. Die Aufzeichnungen wurden zum Zeitpunkt der Modernisierung der Region in den 1970er Jahren vorgenommen und enthalten viele traditionelle Elemente der Gibali-Kultur. Diese Aufzeichnungen werden mit anderen schriftlichen Quellen verglichen, um aufzuzeigen, dass die Übermittlung von moralischen Glaubensvorstellungen, z. B. von Schwüren, Djinns, in den Texten eine wichtige Rolle spielt. Die Autorin forscht seit über zehn Jahren über dhofarische und gibalische Kulturen.

The aim of the study is to investigate the historical study of castles in Oman (Jalali) as a model via comparative qualitative research methods. As a result, the castle became a center of attraction and attention to local, regional or international powers, and then developed in the era of AL- Boussaid, and became an administrative center and later transformed as a central prison for Oman. In conclusion, the form of castle differs from the time it had before, by virtue of the reforms and renovations carried out by the Portuguese rule until the modern Renaissance in Oman.

La vicenda degli Arabi meridionali, a differenza di quella degli Arabi settentrionali, è poco conosciuta agli Occidentali, convinti che l'entrata di questi popoli nella Grande Storia, coincida con l'avvento di Maometto e con l'affermazione di una nuova religione, l'Islam, che ebbe per conseguenza la divisione delle due sponde del mar Mediterraneo. Fu questo un evento che sconvolgendo secolari equilibri, segnò la fine del mondo antico ancor più della caduta dell'Impero Romano. La grande svolta per l'umanità fu il settimo secolo quando grazie all'affermazione dell'Islam, gli Arabi del nord uscirono dai deserti in veste di conquistatori e non più di mercanti per affacciarsi al mar Mediterraneo e all'oceano Atlantico. Analogamente gli Arabi del Sud consolidarono e ampliarono il loro impero marittimo e commerciale trasformandolo in un dominio coloniale vero e proprio, fondato sulla superiorità razziale e culturale dell'elemento semitico su quello indigeno.

This book provides an overview of the military forces of Muscat & Oman and successor State of Oman. Britain and Oman have had various treaties over several centuries brought closer with Britain’s involvement in creating the Sultan’s Armed Forces. The book covers the Muscat Armed Forces and the Sultan’s Armed Forces of Oman, Dhofar Force, plus selected paramilitary forces and the Royal Oman Police Force. The narrative includes regimental and corps histories, and selected military operations. The book also details the contribution made by British seconded and contract personnel who have shaped these forces from the 1920s to the present, through forming, leading, advising and training them.Maps of the areas concerned are provided, along with a glossary of terms and a comprehensive time chart showing the dates of formation and disbandment of units, and if they were merged or reformed into new units. Many photographs are included showing the uniforms and a selection of badges and insignia.The work has been written by Cliff Lord and Dr Athol Yates. Cliff has had published a number of books including a history of the Armed Forces of Aden and the Protectorate, which in some respects is a lead on to this history. This book is a sister companion to The Armed Forces of the Smaller Gulf States also by Cliff Lord and Athol Yates.

"L'ouvrage de Chouki El Hamel est exceptionnel à plus d'un titre. D'abord, il traite avec érudition, courage et lucidité un domaine jusqu'à présent peu abordé au Maroc et dans le monde musulman : l'existence et la pratique de l'esclavage dans ces sociétés, comme dans les autres, depuis un temps immémorial. Ensuite, parce que sa connaissance approfondie des archives et documents arabes, au premier chef du Coran dont il nous livre au passage une analyse précise, rend sa démonstration particulièrement convaincante. Enfin parce que le tout est conçu dans un questionnement permanent de la part du savant qu'il est, sans pour autant que son souci scientifique alourdisse la lecture. Ce livre si juste et criant de vérité se lit aussi comme un roman, l'étude est passionnante. Cet ouvrage magnifique démontre l'importance, encore dans le monde contemporain, de tous les héritages de l'histoire. Catherine Coquery-Vidrovitch (Historienne, spécialiste de l'Afrique)"-- Page 4 de la couverture