A vision of modernity: narratives of historical (dis)continuity in Oman

Be it in academic publications, official speeches or ordinary narratives, the history of Oman and the foundations of its modern nation-state usually appear as a continuous teleological process. The dichotomies such as tradition vis-à-vis modernity and darkness versus enlightenment (or nahḍa) are articulated into a narrative of progression and transformation. This article aims to understand the conception and experience of these notions by looking at how the construction of history and its temporality follows an ethos of continuity. It examines if the vision of modernity selected and incorporated in the national narrative of building a peaceful Oman and creating an Omani identity anchored on Ibadi values is sustainable in the long term. In this process, the Omani citizen emerged, part of the modern citizenship process that requires creating bonds of aggregation through national identity and the relationship between people and state. Finally, the article focuses on the tensions that arise from the way modernisation is framed in the historical trajectory of the state-building, nowadays going through leadership changes and transitioning to a post-oil era.