Independence Is Important To Me;

I found a property of interest for sell in “Al Watan” news paper. Being a woman and in Oman, however, my mother insisted I take a “man” with me if I were to meet the seller. It seemed wise. So, I arranged for my nephew (18 year old) to pick me up.

We waited for the seller at a gas station for a good 15 minutes before he showed up. We then followed his car through roads that were not familiar to us. I was glad to have my strong nephew with me.

As we meandered through the roads from “Mutrah” to “Ghala” I couldn’t help but notice otherwise perfectly beautiful locations marred by badly maintained buildings. Personal safety became a concern. Again, I was glad to have my nephew with me.

Then it dawned on me, if I were to find a property to purchase I may also need the assistance of my brothers to help close the deal, from negotiation to visiting the ministry to getting a survey and all the required documents. At that time I realized; it may be impossible for a woman to live in Oman without the help of a male figure.

The society here is intimate enough that many family members will willingly, lovingly and sincerely offer to help. But that is beside the point. Independence to me is important. Telling me to be dependent would mean putting me in a straitjacket and is humiliating.

Of course I can live alone,and run my own affairs in the US. I am able to find a home, arrange for surveys, title, inspection, appraisals and purchase a property by myself, without help from a “man” or “a woman”. In other words, I am more independent in the US than in my own country.

Among other differences the largest difference between the two systems, to me, is US' transparent and easy procedures, rules and processes.

Besides the infancy of Oman’s cultural view of a woman as a true equal partner to a man, as a Muslim nation, gender equality is not supported by the Islam religion. Hence change is slow and not widely perceived to be a necessity.