The History
 During the course of its history, Oman has been known as Magan, Mazoon and Oman. According to evidence found in cuneiform writing, the name Magan was connected with the ancient shipping and copper smelting industries. The Mazoon name was connected with the country's prolific freshwater resources, whilst the name Oman stems from the migration of Arabic tribes from a place called Oman in Yemen. Some sources believe that the name itself originates from Oman bin Sabaa bin Ibrahim, son of the Prophet Abraham.
Oman was one of the first countries to embrace Islam voluntarily during the era of the prophet Mohammed, praise be upon Him, who sent Amr bin Al-As to the current kings of Oman, Gaifar and Abd, sons of the recently deceased Al Jalandi bin Al Mustakbir, calling on them to embrace Islam. Oman, under the leadership of the two Al Jalandi brothers, responded positively to the call, and since then has become a confirmed part of the Islamic world, helping to spread the faith overseas, especially in east and central Africa.
In 1507 AD the Portuguese invaded a series of Omani coastal towns, including Qalhat, Quriyat, Muscat and Sohar. As a result of strong resistance from the Omanis the invading forces were unable to extend their influence to inland areas.
The accession to power of Imam Nasir bin Murshid in 1624 AD, marking the beginning of the Al Ya'aruba dynasty, was a major turning point in the country's fortunes,since Imam Nasir was able, for the first time, to unite the country under his strong leadership. His successor, Sultan bin Saif al-Ya'aruba, continued the Jihad against the Portuguese, launching several attacks on them in the Indian Ocean, but the Portuguese did not make a complete withdrawal from the area until they were expelled from the country in 1649 during the reign of his successor, Imam Saif bin Sultan, who was known as "Qaid Alardh" and who laid the foundations of the famous Omani navy, which on to establish naval control over the whole east African coastal region.
The accession of Imam Ahmad bin Said Al Busaidi in 1744 AD was the beginning of a new era in Omani history, which has continued for the last 254 years. Imam Ahmed bin Said succeeded in uniting the country, ending internal disputes and establishing a strong naval force together with a large commercial fleet, thus reviving commercial activity along the Omani coastline. During the era of his grandson Hamad (178401792) the capital wass removed from Rustaq to Muscat.
The Al Bu Said dynasty has continued to rule Oman since the middle of the 18th century, consolidating national unity, which reached its peak during the era of Sultan Sayyid bin Sultan Busaidi (1804-1856) and the current Sultan, His Majesty Qaboos bin Said, the founder of Oman's modern renaissance.
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