Page 121 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (3)_Neat

A Trip in Oman
Rev. G. D. Van Pkukskm
Niiik. Tl.i* inluriliim liuir inmlr liy Mr. I limit* mnl Mr. V’uii I'nmnii Wll
drM nl»ciI jiImi l»y Dr. Dame in the la.sl IvMie, under the lillr u( " 1\««•iM iiinu qu
Tri rilory." Mr. Van I'rurseiii’s uccniiiil llirnws miiuc new light mi ilu* iinpurt*
am trip and illustrates tin* close co-operation of the doctor and (Ik- preacher ia
(lie work in Arabia.—liiimm.
I T may interest uur friends at home to hear of a tour made into terri­
tory unreached by any white man for the last fifteen years. There
are places in Arabia where the chiefs are so afraid of Western in.
vasion that they forbid all white men to enter their domain. Hut fur
places like that, we need physicians and surgeons whose aim ami
is not political but philanthropic.
Our mission has for the last fifteen years sought opportunity of enter-
ing the hinterland of Oman. Oman is the southeast province of Arabia,
a peninsula equal in size to the state of Kansas. It was a foregone con­
clusion that no missionary but a doctor could secure the sheikh’s approval. '
to visit his country. Consequently Dr. Dame was asked by the MisduQ *<
to come down to Muscat, where I might join his party and from her*
make an attempt. Only shortly before we made application word- had
come to us that a British company of oil drillers had been reiu*4
entrance by the inland rulers. This made us doubtful as to whether
should be able to get in. liven though Oman is a small province, it h
divided into two governments. The center of one is in Muscat and the
ruler is termed “Sultan.” This government commands a strip of land
along the sea coast two hundred miles long and ten miles wide. 'Hui
government owes its continued existence to Great Britain, with whuni it
has a treaty of long standing. The entire hinterland is ruled by Sheikh
lisa, who is termed “Ameer,” and is in the closest touch with the Ima^
the religious head, who is elected by the people. There are nunicroui
minor sheikhs in litis territory. ‘fhe two governments are u it friendly u
each other and as they consider us favorable to the Muscat governing l
it was only the reputation of the American Mission hospital in Bahrein,
where many people of Oman have been treated, that made it at all j**.
sible for Dr. Dame and myself to enter this forbidden land. The Britun
consul gave us a free hand on condition we show him a written invite
lion from the sheikh asking us to come. It was thus necessary to w
in closer contact with the sheikh. To make our correspondence
him more advantageous, we settled for medical work in Sib, a
thirty miles to the west of Muscat. To this scattered village the
come to buy fish and sell tire wood. As we had reason to suppose, *
brought us in contact with the people whose country we were propuu^
to enter.
Twenty-one days were spent in Sib. Over a hundred patients came u*
treatment every day. During that time one hundred and twenty-th**
major operations were performed. Within a week after the doetu*
arrival, his fame had spread into every hamlet of Oman. 1'eoplc
from every tribe and town, on donkey, camel or foot. They all squau^
together, asking no questions as to caste or creed, if only the
would treat them. Ruling Sheikh lisa sent people of his own housd^