The Oman Font: Celebrating Heritage in a Digital Age

Observer

a day ago

In today's world, you might think that a language as rich and ancient as Arabic would be everywhere — in books, online content, and digital tools. Sadly, that's not the case. Arabic makes up less than 1% of global scholarly publications, and digital content in Arabic accounts for just about 0.5–1% online. With over 237 million native speakers, that's a significant underrepresentation. This gap highlights how much work there is still to do to bring Arabic fully into the digital age.
Fortunately, some organisations are recognising this challenge and taking steps to close the gap. One such organisation is Ebanah, a company based in Oman that's passionate about empowering Arabic and celebrating its cultural richness through technology. Their vision is simple yet powerful: Arabic isn't just a language of the past — it's a vital part of our modern world and should thrive and evolve across all digital platforms.
One of the most exciting projects from Ebanah is the Oman Font. Inspired by traditional Omani manuscripts and calligraphy, this font isn't just about aesthetics — it's a statement of cultural identity. The team examined hundreds of old manuscripts, carefully studied their unique letter shapes and stylistic features, and then crafted a font that preserves the authentic look and feel of Omani calligraphy, bringing it into the digital space.
The significance of having a dedicated Oman Font goes beyond aesthetics. Custom fonts play an essential role in shaping national identity. A unique typeface becomes a symbol of cultural pride, giving a country a visual language that resonates with its history, values, and aesthetic sensibilities. For example, when Apple introduced the Siri voice assistant in 2017, the company also invested in custom fonts to match Siri's branding style, reinforcing a consistent brand identity that users could recognise and trust (Source: Apple Annual Report, 2017). Similarly, the Google Noto font project was launched to support all languages, ensuring visually consistent text across diverse scripts and fostering inclusivity
Having a country-specific font like Oman's helps to establish a visual narrative that is uniquely its own. It can inspire pride among citizens and be a powerful branding tool for national campaigns, tourism efforts, and international diplomacy. When Oman showcased its culture at Expo Osaka 2025, the Oman Font was prominently featured — a conscious decision that highlighted the country's commitment to blending tradition with modernity. As Salim Al Mnathari, CEO of Ebanah, explains, 'Typefaces are more than tools for writing; they're visual expressions of identity and heritage.' A distinct font becomes a linguistic signature, creating consistency across all official and promotional materials, strengthening Oman's global image.
Branding experts know that fonts are a vital part of visual identity. According to branding consultant David Airey, 'A typeface can evoke emotions, elicit trust, and influence perceptions about a brand or nation. It's not just about readability — it's about what that typeface communicates on a deeper level' (Source: DavidAirey.com). For countries, a bespoke font can reinforce their narrative, showcase their cultural depth, and differentiate them in a crowded global landscape.
In the future, the importance of the Oman Font is only set to grow. As nations increasingly seek to promote their unique identity through digital platforms, custom fonts become a critical asset. They help create recognisable, cohesive branding that can be used across websites, official documents, advertising, and even in social media. Moreover, this initiative is likely to encourage other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Arab nations to develop their own digital typefaces, fostering regional cultural pride.
Furthermore, the Oman Font project aligns with global trends that emphasise localisation and authenticity. In a 2020 report by McKinsey & Company, it was highlighted that consumers and users increasingly value brands and entities that respect cultural heritage and display authenticity in their visual presentation (Source: McKinsey & Company, 'The Future of Localisation'). A distinctive font rooted in Oman's calligraphic tradition embodies this trend, making the country's digital presence both authentic and relatable.
Looking ahead, the ongoing development of digital typography, artificial intelligence-driven design tools, and increased focus on cultural preservation suggest that custom fonts will become an even more integral part of national branding. They will serve not only as identifiers but also as ambassadors of culture, history, and innovation. In this sense, Oman's initiative is more than just a font — it's a statement of intent: that Oman's rich cultural heritage will continue to evolve and flourish in the digital age, helping to shape its future identity and global perception.