The number of aljawamie in the Sultanate reached 1,443 during the year 2017, while the number of mosques 14,561, according to data released by the (NCSI). According to the Cultural Statistics Bulletin released by the NCSI, the number of Quran schools reached 1,190.
The number of Haj pilgrims from the Sultanate last year was 13,879, of which 96% were Omanis, 9% were youth in the age group of between 15 and 29 years, 46% were women and 10% were the elderly. The total number of religious cadres in the Sultanate reached 4,641, whereas the number of preachers increased by 6% against 140 in 2016. The number of religious guides dropped by 10% to 53, and the number of imams and preachers also fell by 11% to reach 3,301. The number of religious counselors fell by 19% to reach 29. The Culture Statistics Bulletin also indicated a rise in the number of visitors to museums of the Sultanate in 2017 by 22.6%, reaching 363,005 compared to 296,017 visitors in 2016. They included 103,770 visitors to the Museum of the land of Frankincense, which is a decrease of 11.8%. Bait Al Zubair Museum received 93,487 visitors, which is an increase of 2.5%. The Children's Museum received 27,495 visitors, which is an increase of 10.5%.
The number of visitors of the Museum of Natural History reached 16,487, which is an increase of 9.8%. As many as 26,793 people visited Armed Forces Museum, which recorded an increase of 33.2%. The Bait Baranda Museum received 1.6% more visitors, with their numbers touching 7,702. The Omani-French Museum received 2,366 visitors, which is an increase of 22%. The number of visitors to the Ghalia Modern Art Museum was 3,675. There were 553 people visiting Currency Museum and 75,686 visitors to the National Museum. The number of visitors to 51 forts and castles of the Sultanate rose by 12% to reach 319,152. The Culture Statistics Bulletin showed that 88% of the total number of Omani craftspersons comprised of women, at a rate of one craftsman against seven craftswomen. It said that there was an increase of 8% in the number of craftspersons in the year 2016, with their number reaching 21,142, comprising 18,609 women and 2,533 men.
About reserves and number of visitors during the year 2017, the statistics show that the number of reserves reached 14 where 228 people worked. They are three animal reserves, which had 55,362 visitors; two plants reserves, which had 1,366 visitors; and 9 plants and animal reserves, which had a total of 187,252 visitors. With this, the total number of visitors to reserves reached 243,980, which is eight times more than the number in 2016. With regard to theaters, the number of performances increased by 222% to reach 132 shows in 14 theaters. They were attended by 147,730 spectators, which is an increase of 14.5%. The number of paintings and illustrations exhibited increased by 19% to reach 950. However, the number of visitors declined by 3% to reach to 15,750. As participants, the number of Omani artists dropped by 6% to reach 975 artists, while the number of expatriate artists reached 63.
The number of books published during the year 2017 increased by 6% to reach 822, of which science subject got the largest share of 42%, with 345 books; followed by 23 books on social sciences, business and law; and 10 books on humanities and arts. The number of books published on health and social services was 6 and on agriculture, engineering and productive industry was 2 each. The number of books on subjects, including religion, literature, information technology, and economics was 434.
For the report, please visit the National Center for Statistics and Information: www.ncsi.gov.om