By the advent of Islam into Oman in the 7th century, Omani seamen were trading with cities as far away as Canton in China, making Sohar the largest port in any Islamic region at the time. Along with the goods of trade, perhaps Omanis were also instrumental in spreading their new found faith, Islam, to the Far East, examples of which are the Islamic majority countries of Indonesia and Malaysia.

The Portuguese occupied the country for over 150 years. With little interest in solidifying their presence in the country, apart from controlling trade, coupled with the changing fortunes of their colonization strategy worldwide, the Portuguese were ousted by the far sighted leader of the Al – Ya’ruba dynasty, Imam Nasir bin Murshid Al – Ya’ruba in 1650. Henceforth, under the rule of the Ya’ruba dynasty, Oman became a unified nation state with its influence stretching as far as Asia and Africa. The Ya’ruba Dynasty ruled Oman till 1743.

During the years of the Ya’ruba dynasty, internal factionalism between tribes and the Ya’ruba dynasty on issues of succession were common and soon, partly fuelled by the conquering designs of the Persians, these internal squabbles brought the downfall of the dynasty. The last of the Sultans, Sultan bin Murshid died fighting the Persians at Sohar.

After the death of Sultan bin Murshid at the battle of Sohar, the then Governor of Sohar, Sheikh Ahmed bin Said Al Busaid, who fought alongside the Sultan in the same battle, was nominated by the ulema as the next Imam. Known as an astute military strategist, he called for a cease fire with the warring Persians and invited the Persian military retinue to attend a huge party in their honor and on the sound of a drum, massacred the entire retinue, thereby gaining control of the country and ousting the Persians forever.

And in so doing, Imam Ahmed began a long and glorious dynasty, the Al Busaids, a dynasty that has lasted from 1747 to the present day.