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Al-Awamia, also spelled Al-Awamiyah, ( ) is a town in the Qatif, located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.
Historically, Al-Awamia had direct access to the sea, but that coastline was buried due to land reclamation and urban development. The town also had several natural water springs (عيون ماء) that once supported agriculture and daily life, most of which have now disappeared.
One of Al-Awamia's neighborhoods is Zara, a historically significant site that served as the capital of the historic of Eastern Arabia during the early Islamic era. In recent years, more than half of Zara was removed to make way for a major road construction project.
Al-Awamia was formerly bordered by Ramis farms to the east, with other farmlands to the west and south. Most of these farms have been cleared due to urban expansion. To the north, the town is bordered by Safwa City, limiting its ability to expand and provide new housing. Consequently, many residents have moved to nearby areas, especially Nasera, which is now home to around 2,500 people living in 250 homes.
Al-Qudaih, located just south of Al-Awamia, is also part of the Qatif Governorate and shares deep historical and social connections with Al-Awamia, forming part of the larger network of communities in the region.العوامية
In March 2009, at least four people, including a minor, were arrested after taking part in rallies which were organized to protest the warrant for the arrest of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a senior Shiite Ulema and Imam of a mosque in Al-Awamiyah. He had criticised attacks against Shias traveling to the tomb of Muhammad.
On 5 April 2015, a security officer was killed during a raid on suspected government opponents. According to the government, at least four citizens were detained and weapons seized.
In January 2016, Saudi Arabia executed the prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, who had called for pro-democracy demonstrations, along with forty-seven people accused of terrorism.
Residents also reported soldiers shooting at homes, cars and everyone in streets. During the crackdown the Saudi government demolished several historical sites and many other buildings and houses in Qatif.
20,000 residents were forced to flee from their homes to survive. and the town was devastated by demolitions and fighting.
Redevelopment Project
Without consultation with local residents, a “redevelopment project” was launched in February 2018 by the governor of the Eastern Province. The main goal of the project is to enhance “security solution or the tracking of armed groups and sleeper cells”.
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