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Qatif

(Redirected from Al-Qaṭīf)
This article is about a region of Saudi Arabia. For other uses, see Katif.

Qatif or Al-Qatif (Arabic: ٱلْقَطِيف Al-Qaṭīf) is a governorate and urban area located in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. It extends from Ras Tanura and Jubail in the north to Dammam in the south, and from the Persian Gulf in the east to King Fahd International Airport in the west. This region has its own municipality and includes the Qatif downtown, Safwa, Saihat, Tarout Island, and many other smaller cities and towns.

Qatif
ٱلْقَطِيف
Qatif is located in Saudi Arabia
Qatif
Qatif
Coordinates: 26°33′22″N 49°59′46″E / 26.556°N 49.996°E / 26.556; 49.996
Country Saudi Arabia
ProvinceEastern Province (Ash Sharqiyah)
Government
 • GovernorSaud bin Nayef
Area
 • Total611 km2 (236 sq mi)
Population
 (2017)[1]
 • Total625,092
Time zoneUTC+03:00 (AST)
Area code+966 13

Qatif is one of the oldest settlements in Eastern Arabia; its history goes back to 3500 BC, more than 5,000 years ago, and was part of the Bahrain Region which was called Dilmun at that time and the Sumerians knew it as the land of paradise, immortality, and life.[2][3][4] Before the discovery of oil, Qatifi people used to work as merchants, farmers, and fishermen. However, with the development of the oil fields in the late 1940s, Qatif lost its status as an important port to Dammam, and since the 1990s has focused on the oil industry, public services, education, and healthcare sectors.[5]

Several travelers visited the city, most famously Abulfeda: "Al-Qatif: a town next to Al-Ahsa, of a beautiful nature, whose people are well-groomed, and it is on the Arab side of the Persian Sea coast,"[6] as well as Ibn Battuta: "Then we traveled to the city of Al-Qatif, its name is derived from fruit picking, which is an oasis of water and a large city with many palm trees inhabited by sects of Shiite Arabs."[7][6]

Its survival in the midst of desert surroundings is due not only to its being a coastal city but to the fact that Qatif is a green oasis with rich agricultural soil. Qatif itself is surrounded by a jungle of palm trees. Springs are abundant in the oasis of Qatif. On the East, there lies the Persian Gulf. Its warm and calm waters are rich in marine life; fishes, shrimps, and pearls. Also, some springs are found in the midst of its waters. On the west lies, Al-Dahna Desert with its golden sands intermingled with little rocky heights. There are many landmarks in Qatif such as the old city of the Qala'a and Awamiya, Tarout Castle, Darin castle which was built to repel the attacks of the Portuguese campaign on Bahrain in the 15th century, and traditional markets such as the Khamis market; In addition to statues, which were transferred to the National Museum in Riyadh to be preserved.[5]

Etymology and history

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Historical Qatif Souq
 
The statue of the Worshipping Servant (2500 BC) in a Praying Posture, carved from rough limestone from local stones, reaches a height of 94 cm. It is similar to the statues of Sumerian worshipers found in Mesopotamia. It was found by chance in 1966 on the island of Tarot while building a road to the archaeological hill and not in a regular excavation.[8]
 
A pottery jar for preserving liquids is estimated to be from the third millennium BC. Found in the old castle in Qatif. It was found by chance while installing some devices for oil extraction nearby.[9]

Qatif functioned for centuries as the most important trade port in Eastern Arabia, to the point where the whole Persian Gulf was labeled "Sea of Qatif".[10] The term Qatif is derived from what translates to "harvest" or "grain", signifying the area's past agricultural history.[citation needed]

The historic oasis area shows its first archaeological evidence of settlement beginning about 3500 BC. It was known by other names, such as Al-Khatt (الخَطّ), immortalized in the poetry of Antarah ibn Shaddad, Tarafa ibn Al-`Abd, Bashshar ibn Burd (in his famous Ba'yya), and others. The word "Khatty" became the preferred "kenning" for "spear" in traditional poetic writing until the dawn of the modern era, supposedly because the region was famous for spear making, just as "muhannad" ("of India") was the preferred kenning for "sword". The older name also survives as the eponym of several well-known local families ("Al-Khatti", spelled variously in English).[citation needed] Until the advent of Ottoman rule in the 18th century, Qatif belonged to the historical region known as the Province of Bahrain, along with Al-Hasa and the present-day Bahrain islands.

In 899 the Qarmatians conquered the region with the oases of Qatif and Al-Hasa. They declared themselves independent and reigned from al-Mu'miniya near modern Hofuf until 1071.[11] The Buyids of western Persia raided Qatif in 988. In 1059, Qatif was liberated from Qarmatian rule during the Battle of Qatif. From 1071 until 1253 the Uyunids ruled the region first from the city of "al-Hasa" (predecessor to modern Hofuf) and later from Qatif. In 1253 the Usfurids rose from Al-Hasa and ruled during the struggle of Qays with the Hormuz for control of the coast. Probably at about this time, Qatif became the main port for the mainland surpassing 'Uqair in importance for the trade and thus became the capital of the Usfurids.[11] Ibn Battuta, visited Qatif in 1331 and found it a large and prosperous city inhabited by Arab tribes whom he described as "extremist Shi`is".[12] Power shifted in 1440 to the Jabrids of the Al-Hasa oasis.

Portuguese and Ottomans

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In 1515 the Portuguese conquered Hormuz and sacked Qatif in 1520, killing the Jabrid ruler Muqrin ibn Zamil.[11] The Portuguese invaded the island of Bahrain and stayed there for the next eighty years. The ruler of Basra extended his power to Qatif in 1524 but ultimately in 1549 the Ottomans took over, though they could not expel the Portuguese from the island of Bahrain.[11] In 1551 the Portuguese conquered Qatif maintaining domain of the gulf allied with the Pasha of Basra.[13]

In 1680 the Al Humayd of the Banu Khalid took the by now weak garrison of the Ottomans in Hofuf. In a battle at Ghuraymil, south of Qatif, the Banu Khalid lost their rule to the new "First Saudi State" in 1790. In 1818 the Saudi State was destroyed in the Ottoman-Saudi War and the commander of the mostly Egyptian troops, Ibrahim Pasha, took control of Hofuf, only to evacuate it the next year and return to the west coast. The Humayd regained control until the Banu Khalid were finally defeated in 1830 by the "Second Saudi State" who now took control of the whole region. The Ottomans moved in again in 1871 not to be expelled until 1913 when Ibn Saud finally established the Saudi rule in the Eastern Province.[citation needed]

 
Panorama of Tarout old village on top of Tarout's castle.

Modern political history

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Main article: Qatif conflict

1929 riots

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The economy of Qatif witnessed a sharp decline in the 1920s, initially due to the invention of cultured pearls which severely impacted the Gulf pearl trade, then due to World War I. The decline was accelerated by a special "Jihad" tax imposed by the Saudis (then the Sultanate of Nejd), which was used to fund military campaigns. The economic situation became so dire that many citizens were imprisoned for unpaid taxes, including several wealthy landowners and merchants. Then in 1929, the tax was doubled. Riots broke out in several towns, and a large group escaped to Bahrain and requested protection from the British consul. The governor of Qatif responded with intimidation and mass imprisonments. Several notables wrote letters to King Abdulaziz voicing their complaints. He eventually met with the governor and some citizens, pardoned past-due taxes, and reduced new taxes.[14]

1979 protests

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Main article: 1979 Qatif Uprising

Approximately 60,000 Shias (estimate of 1969) live in the oasis town of Qatif, which is about 65 km (40 mi) from the main Saudi refinery and the export terminal of Ras Tanura. The Shias have participated in all the strikes and other political demonstrations that have taken place in the kingdom. The most significant were the 1979 strikes when the Saudi armed forces were called in. The Shias in Saudi Arabia were very receptive to Khomeini and demonstrated against the Saudi royal family on the hitherto novel grounds that Islam and hereditary kingship are not compatible. When American jets landed in Dhahran Air Base for manoeuvres, citizens of Qatif organized a big demonstration. The demonstrators spent the evening of 11 November 1979 shouting slogans against the royal family and the Americans. The Saudi government responded by imposing a curfew on all the towns in the Qatif area, sealing off the area with tanks and armoured vehicles. A bloody showdown between the armed forces and the Shiites continued until 30 November 1979, in which thousands were arrested, hundreds injured and 24 killed.[15] [16]

2011 protests

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Main article: 2011 Saudi Arabian protests

On 10 March 2011, in the wake of the Arab Spring and a day before a "day of rage" planned by Saudi internet users, consisting of protests across Saudi Arabia; 'dozens' of Shias attended a rally in the city centre calling for political reforms in the kingdom and the release of prisoners allegedly held without charge for more than 16 years. The government declared protests to be illegal and it had previously warned against this action. Police opened fire on the protestors, injuring three, and there were reports of stun grenades being used as well as many more injuries from police use of batons.[17][18] Further protests in Qatif continued throughout 2011.[19] Over six people were reported to be killed by the government's forces since November 2011. However, the government tried to overshadow the reports but social networking groups has highly worked to demonstrate the way the government used force against the protesters[20]

2012 and 2017–2019 protests

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Main articles: 2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests and 2017–2020 Qatif unrest

Activists in Qatif first took to the streets in March 2011, demanding the release of political prisoners.[21] In early January 2012, Riyadh ordered the arrest of 23 people responsible for unrest in the Eastern Province.[22]

Activists reported that seven protesters were killed from November 2011 to 10 February 2012 in Qatif.[23]

The march on 10 February 2012 was reportedly organised to protest against the killings of demonstrators, who were calling for reforms, an end to sectarian discrimination and the release of political prisoners. "While security men were following up on an illegal gathering in the town of al Awamiya in Qatif on Friday they were attacked by gunfire," said a police statement published by the state news agency, Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Zuhair al Said was killed on 10 February 2012 when police opened fire to disperse protesters in the town of al Awamiya, in the Qatif region. About 500 people were arrested since March 2011. Activists said 80 remained in custody, including author Nazir al Majid and human rights activist Fadil al Munasif. In July 2012, the government arrested Nimr al-Nimr, a Shiite preacher who called for protests against the government. The arrest of such an icon in the city of Qatif resulted in protests the evening of his arrest. Government snipers killed two protesters that night: Sayed Akbar al-Shakori and Sayed Mohammed Alfelfel. Videos of the killing were released on video streaming sites such as YouTube.com.[citation needed]

Cuisine

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Although Qatif has a traditional Arab cuisine, in which it shares dishes with its surroundings, it is famous and specializes in several dishes, including:

Climate

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Qatif has a desert climate with temperatures approaching 50 °C (122 °F) in the summer and an average humidity of 75%. In winter, temperatures range between 2 and 18 °C (36 and 64 °F). During the months of May and June, warm seasonal winds called albwarh affect the region. The rest of the year, the moist southern winds, or alcos, bring humidity. There is little rainfall.

Demographics

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The Qatif region is the largest concentration of Shia Islam in Saudi Arabia;[24] less than 10% of Qatif are Sunni Muslims.[citation needed] Qatif is the centre of the Shiite population in Saudi Arabia.[25] Since 2005, the government has eased the restrictions on commemorating Day of Ashura in public.[26]

As of 2022, the total population of Qatif was 552,442. Qatif has one of the lowest numbers of non-Saudi residents in the kingdom (only 114,173).[27]

Most people in Qatif are Arab Baharna,[28] with very similar culture and dialects to the Baharna of Bahrain. There is a minority of bedouins, of the tribes of Bani Khalid and Bani Hajer, concentrated in the villages of Anak and Um Al-Sahek. There are also Sunni Gulf Arabs concentrated in the villages of Darin and Al-Zour.

Culture

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Husseini rituals during Ashura in Qatif.

Several periodic religious occasions are held in Qatif, the most prominent of which are the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as well as Qarqi'an, and the deaths and births of Muhammad and the twelve Imams.

At the beginning of each Hijri year, Qatif is draped with black, red and green banners and flags over houses, alleys and roads, which is intended to announce the state of mourning and the start of the Ashura season from the beginning of the month of Muharram until the end of the month of Safar in commemoration of the days of Ashura in which Hussein bin Ali, grandson of Muhammad was killed in the Battle of Karbala.[29] These days have a special importance for the majority of the Qatif community, in which shops are closed and no marriages take place, and any sign of joy is abolished, and black or dark colors are worn.[29] These days are accompanied by Hussaini Majlises which are religious or scientific lectures delivered by clerics in Husseiniyas or mosques. And the practice of Husseini rites. During the 10 days, small kiosks are erected by volunteers in the squares and streets to provide free food, sweets and beverages to the audience and passers-by. Mahmous, a local black colored dish is widely offered during Ashura to indicate a climate of grief.

Traditionally, people go out to the seashore to celebrate after the end of Safar, and when they return in the sunset, heaps of straw are collected and burned to symbolize the burning of mourning monuments. Pottery, worn-out trays, and pots are disposed of by smashing them, a habit that seemed to fade away, but few still do it nonetheless.[30] Joy and festivals pervade all of Qatif on during Qarqi'an, on the 15th of the month of Sha’ban, which coincides with the birth of Al-Mahdi, and this day is called Al-Nasifah, and on the 15th of Ramadan, which coincides with the birth of Hassan bin Ali, and is called Karikshon. Qarqi'an is an annual custom found in both Bahrain, Qatif and some other areas in the Persian Gulf, where celebrations are held, feasts are made, new clothes are worn, candles are lit, and people and children between 4 and 12 years go out to the streets of old villages and neighborhoods to celebrate. Mosques prepare early to receive visitors, and people distribute sweets and food. The girls wear traditional clothes and are decorated with henna.[30] The children chant folk songs, while they roam the neighborhoods with large bags to collect candy distributed from houses.[30]

Economy

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Water tower

Saudi Aramco (the Saudi national oil company) completed the development of the Qatif Project in October 2004, comprising facilities to produce, process and transport 80,000 cubic metres per day (500,000 bbl/d) of blended Arabian light crude oil from the Qatif field and 48,000 m3/d (300,000 bbl/d) of Arabian medium crude oil from the offshore Abu Sa'fah field (total 130,000 m3/d (800,000 bbl/d)), plus 10 million cubic metres per day (370×10^6 cu ft/d) of associated gas.[31]

Qatifi people are likely to work in the oil industry (Saudi Aramco, Schlumberger, Halliburton and Baker Hughes). Some of the employees have moved to Dhahran, where these companies are located, but the majority still reside in Qatif and go to Dhahran by cars or Saudi Aramco buses in about 50 minutes' journey. Others work in Aramco refineries in Ras Tanura. and others work in the petrochemical companies in Jubail (80 km from Qatif), some go every day and some have moved to Jubail. SABIC is the largest employer in Qatif, However, some Qatifi are also working in other oil, petrochemical, and engineering companies located in Dhahran, Khobar, Dammam, Ras Tanura, or Jubail. Some of Qatifi people work in public services, health care and education.

The Qatif coastline is rich with shrimp and many varieties of fish. Qatif Fish Market is the largest in the Middle East. Qatif villages are known to have many date palms and other fruits.

On 8 March 2020 Qatif was put into lockdown by Saudi Arabia until 29 April 2020 because of cases of COVID-19.[32]

Education

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There are several educational facilities built by the government and Saudi Aramco for all age levels, starting from first grade in elementary school to secondary school. Most of the schools are public (government owned) but there are some private schools as well.

Tourism

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Tarout Castle
 
Tarout old village.
  • Qatif is known for its traditional markets (suqs) such as the weekly Thursday Market "Suq Alkhamees" and "Suq Waqif"
  • Esplanade along its shore
  • Tarout castle in Tarout Island
  • Qal'at al-Qatif; ancient castle ruins
  • Abu Loza's Bath, old Turkish bath
  • It is also known for its massive agricultural areas that are rich in various types of vegetation and palm trees.
  • Qatif is also known for its old historical heritage which was influenced by the different civilizations that lived here over the centuries. This is reflected in the architecture of its old buildings that lie in the areas in the old villages of Qatif (Al-Awamiyah, Al-Qudaih, Al Qala'a etc.).
  • Different festivals throughout the year including Aldoukhala, Eid festivals, etc.

Transport

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Airport

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Air travel is provided by King Fahd International Airport, the distance from the terminal to the city center is 30 km (19 mi).

Highway

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Qatif is connected with other Saudi urban centers through highways mainly the Dhahran-Jubail Highway which runs across Qatif, and Abu Hadriyah Highway which serves as a western border for Qatif and separates it from King Fahd International Airport. The Gulf Road links the city with Dammam.

It is also close to the King Fahd Causeway that connects the kingdom with the nation of Bahrain (about 55 km (35 mi)).

Towns and villages

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List of some towns and villages forming Qatif county:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Population Estimates 2017" (PDF).
  2. ^ Crawford, Harriet E. W. (1998). Dilmun and Its Gulf Neighbours. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-52158-679-5.
  3. ^ Rice, Michael (1991). Egypt's Making: The Origins of Ancient Egypt 5000–2000 BC. London, UK: Routledge. p. 229. ISBN 978-0-41506-454-5.
  4. ^ Page, Lewis (9 December 2010). "Lost ancient civilisation's ruins lie beneath Gulf, says boffin". The Register. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Qatif City Profile". The Saudi Network. 2019.
  6. ^ a b Al-Ramis, Salman (2004). Qatif, a study in ancient history. Al-hazen library.
  7. ^ Battuta, Ibn (8 August 2017). Ibn Battuta's Journey (in Arabic). Al-Maktaba Al-Asriyya for printing and publishing. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017.
  8. ^ "The 1966 New Discovery". Eastern Gulf Journal. 2007.
  9. ^ "Jar from the dirt". Mekka Journal. 18 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Qatif History".
  11. ^ a b c d Facey, William (2004) [1994]. The Story of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. London, UK: Stacey International. ISBN 1-900988-18-6.
  12. ^ Ibn Battuta (1964). Ibn Battuta's Journey. Beirut: Dar Sadir. pp. 279–280.
  13. ^ Slot, B. J. (1991). The Origins of Kuwait. Leiden: E.J. Brill. p. 10. ISBN 9004094091.
  14. ^ العوامي, السيد علي. الحركة الوطنية السعودية (in Arabic). Vol. 1. pp. 29–35.
  15. ^ Nehme, Michel G. (October 1994). "Saudi Arabia 1950-80: Between Nationalism and Religion". Middle Eastern Studies. 30 (4): 930–943. doi:10.1080/00263209408701030. JSTOR 4283682.
  16. ^ Echagüe, Ana & Burke, Edward (June 2009). "'Strong Foundations'? The Imperative for Reform in Saudi Arabia" (PDF). FRIDE (Spanish Think-tank organization). pp. 1–23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  17. ^ "Saudi police open fire on protesters". RTHK. 11 March 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  18. ^ "Saudi Arabia police open fire at protest in Qatif". BBC News. 10 March 2011.
  19. ^ "Saudi Arabia: Renewed Protests Defy Ban". Human Rights Watch. 30 December 2011. Archived from the original on 8 January 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  20. ^ "قتل شاب وجراحة برصاص قوات الأمن السعودي في القطيف" [A young man was shot and wounded by Saudi security forces in Qatif]. BBC News Arabic (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 12 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  21. ^ "Saudi Arabia 'day of rage' protest fizzles". Los Angeles Times. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  22. ^ "Saudi forces clash with protesters in Qatif". Al Jazeera. 13 January 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  23. ^ "New clashes in Saudi Arabia leave 'protester' dead". BBC News. 11 February 2012.
  24. ^ Fuccaro, Nelida (9 March 2016). Violence and the City in the Modern Middle East. Stanford University Press. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-8047-9752-8.
  25. ^ Mackey, p. 234.
  26. ^ "Denied Dignity". Human Rights Watch. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  27. ^ "بوابة الهيئة". تعداد السعودية 2022.
  28. ^ Matthiesen, Toby (2015). The Other Saudis. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-04304-6.
  29. ^ a b "بالصور.. المواكب الحسينية تحيي ليلة 13 محرم بالعزاء والعروض التمثيلية" [In pictures.. Hussainiya processions celebrate the night of Muharram 13 with condolences and performances]. Juhayna News (in Arabic). 21 March 2020. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  30. ^ a b c سعيد, مسل، محمد (1989). القطيف (in Arabic). الرئاسة العامة لرعاية الشباب، وكالة شؤون الشباب، الادارة العامة للنشاطات الثقافية،.
  31. ^ "Qatif oil processing facility". Saudi Aramco. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  32. ^ "Coronavirus: Italy death toll soars amid travel ban". RNZ. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  33. ^ "Awamia.net".
  34. ^ "Al-Jarodiah Site". Archived from the original on 17 December 2007.
  35. ^ "Aljish online forum". Archived from the original on 27 April 2011.
  36. ^ "Alhella site". Archived from the original on 26 October 2007.
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