Linking flydubai co-pilot to Oman establishment ‘uncalled for’, sources say

New Delhi: While the UAE investigates the role and background of the "Omani" co-pilot involved in attacking the pilot of the Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv and accused of attempting to crash the aircraft, attempts to vilify Oman as the country trying to encourage extremism is unfounded given the Gulf country's history of peace and moderation.

Highly placed sources in diplomatic circles told ET that while a thorough probe should be conducted into the background of the UAE-based co-pilot, attempts to link him to the Oman establishment and Royal Family are completely uncalled for. Sources said the accused's antecedents in his workplace must be thoroughly probed.

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Oman, India's oldest strategic and defence partner in the Gulf, is the only country in the entire Islamic world that has never had a single citizen involved in any terror incident and running terror networks.

The Oman government has for decades encouraged and pursued a policy of moderation and cracked down on moves by any individual or groups to spread extremism, sources said. While a section of the society in Oman may have views on Israel's actions in Gaza or its approach towards Palestine, no member of the Omani royal family has ever pursued or encouraged extremism against any foreign government, the sources informed.

The sect of Islam that exists in Oman is the Ibadi sect and is known for its moderate views. Ibadi Islam is a distinct school of Islam that is separate from the more numerous Sunni and Shia traditions and rejects extremism by doctrine.

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Maintaining strong security ties with India for decades and known for its neutrality, Oman has often backed India's position on Jammu and Kashmir at various global fora, including OIC. Muscat's role in mediating between Iran and the USA has been widely acknowledged.