“Oman is prosperous, well-educated, tolerant, open and friendly, and it is at peace with itself and at peace with its neighbors. Those neighbors include Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Iran. In fact, its cordial relations with Iran have enabled Oman to secure the release of the three Americans who recently strayed over its border while hiking in Iraq. Oman’s population is small for the region, totaling about 3.1 million, of which roughly one third are expatriates from South and Southeast Asia….”

“The sultan has absolute power and as head of state is its final authority. He has used his position wisely, guiding his nation from backwardness to modernity over the past 42 years. That is in itself a remarkable achievement. Some would say he evokes the ideal of a philosopher king, an enlightened ruler who has created a “renaissance” for his people….”

Click here for full article…. Oman shows flaw in U.S. stereotypes of Muslims | The Poughkeepsie Journal | poughkeepsiejournal.com.