Product Code Database
Qatif Governorate () 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, The governorate includes three major cities Qatif City, Safwa City, and Saihat along with numerous towns, villages, and the Tarout Island. Each city and town has its own sub-municipality operating under the main municipality
Qatif is one of the oldest settlements in the Arabian Peninsula; its history goes back to 3500 Anno Domini, more than 5,000 years ago, and was a key part of the Eastern Arabia also known as Eastern Arabia which was called Dilmun at that time and the Sumerians knew it as the land of paradise, immortality.
Qatif, along with Al-Ahsa, are the historical core of the modern-day Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Both Governorates are home to indigenous populations, Shia Islam, who have resided in the region for centuries. In contrast, cities such as Dammam and Khobar are relatively recent developments, established in the 20th century, with populations that largely migrated from other parts of the kingdom, including Riyadh and Qassim.Life 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.
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," 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 Shia Arabs."
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 Arecaceae. 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.
Qatif is home to Darin Airport, the first airport in Saudi Arabia, which opened in 1911. The airport was established by the Allied Powers during World War I as part of their military strategy against the Ottoman Empire, which then controlled much of the eastern Arabian Peninsula, including Qatif, Qatif later became part of the emerging Third Saudi State following the Conquest of al-Hasa in 1913. Qatif Municipality was established in 1926, making it the second oldest in the Kingdom after Jeddah Municipality.
The historic oasis area shows its first archaeological evidence of settlement beginning about 3500 BC. It was known by other names, such as Al-Khutt (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). Until the advent of Ottoman Empire rule in the 18th century, Qatif belonged to the historical region known as the Province of Bahrain, along with Al-Ahsa Oasis 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. The 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 rose from Al-Hasa and ruled during the struggle of Qays with the Ormus 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. 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". Power shifted in 1440 to the of the Al-Hasa oasis.
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.
Approximately 60,000 Shias (estimate of 1969) live in the oasis town of Qatif, which is about 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.
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 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 being used as well as many more injuries from police use of batons. Further protests in Qatif continued throughout 2011. 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
Activists in Qatif first took to the streets in March 2011, demanding the release of political prisoners. In early January 2012, Riyadh ordered the arrest of 23 people responsible for unrest in the Eastern Province.
Activists reported that seven protesters were killed from November 2011 to 10 February 2012 in Qatif.
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-Awamiyah, 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.
Another unrest occurred between 2017 and 2020.
| Qatif was part of the Sasanian Empire for several centuries. |
| Qatif comes under the control of the Rashidun Caliphate during the Muslim conquest of Eastern Arabia under Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab. |
| Qatif is governed under the Umayyad Caliphate following the assassination of Caliph Ali. |
| The Abbasids overthrow the Umayyads and maintain nominal control over Eastern Arabia, including Qatif, through appointed governors. |
| Qatif is incorporated into the Qarmatian state, a radical Ismaili Shi’a movement, serving as a base for Gulf trade. |
| Qatif becomes part of the Uyunid Emirate, a local Arab dynasty, following Qarmatian decline. |
| The Usfurid dynasty rises to power, seizing Qatif and Eastern Arabia after Uyunid weakening. |
| The Jarwanid dynasty, a Shi’a power, establishes Qatif as its capital after Usfurid decline. |
| The Jabrids, a Bedouin dynasty, gain control of Qatif and much of eastern and central Arabia, excluding Hejaz, parts of Oman, and Yemen. |
| Portuguese forces sack Qatif, disrupting trade and exerting temporary influence over Gulf routes via Strait of Hormuz. |
| The Ottoman Empire captures Qatif, integrating it into their Gulf territories. |
| Ottomans, based in Qatif, attempt to seize Portuguese-held Bahrain but fail. |
| Qatif becomes a sanjak in the Ottoman Lahsa Eyalet. |
| The Bani Khalid tribe, allied with local forces, ousts the Ottomans, establishing rule over Qatif. |
| The First Saudi State defeats the Bani Khalid, seizing Qatif in their Wahhabi expansion. |
| Ottoman forces, led by Ibrahim Pasha, briefly occupy Qatif during the Wahhabi war. |
| The Bani Khalid tribe briefly regains influence in Qatif after Ottoman-Egyptian withdrawal. |
| The Second Saudi State regains Qatif from the Bani Khalid. |
| The Ottomans reclaim Qatif and Al-Hasa, countering British influence. |
| Ibn Saud captures Qatif, incorporating it into the modern Saudi Arabia, formalized in 1932. |
| Major Cities | Population |
| Qatif City | 87,332 (2022) |
| Saihat | 84,818 (2022) |
| Safwa City | 45,676 (2022) |
| Towns and villages | Population |
| Al-Awamiyah | 26,276 (2022) |
| 22,492 (2022) | |
| Umm al-Hamam | 18,818 (2022) |
| Um Al-Sahek | 15,378 (2022) |
7,287 (2022) | |
| Al-Awjam | 16,147 (2022) |
| Al-Jaroudiya | 20,986 (2022) |
| 5,544 (2022) | |
| 8,801 (2022) | |
| 13,018 (2022) | |
| 6,578 (2022) | |
| 22,343 (2022) | |
| 20,038 (2022) | |
| Other small villages total | 19,264 (2022) |
| Islands | Population |
| Tarout Island | 117,646 (2022) |
| Qatif Fish Island | Uninhabited fish market island |
However, many of Qatif's historical sites have been lost over time due to a lack of preservation efforts or demolition for government-led urban development projects.
Tarout Castle sits on a hill called Tall Tawt in the center of Tarout Island, in eastern Saudi Arabia. The hill is about 5,000 years old, and the castle dates back to the Uyuni state, later used by the Portuguese for defense.
Tarout Old Village is a historic area with narrow alleys, traditional houses, and ancient architecture. It reflects the deep cultural heritage of Tarout Island.
Qatif ancient castle Qal'at al-Qatif, also known as Hadaret Qatif and Al-Farda, was an ancient fortress located in the center of Qatif, Saudi Arabia. Built by the Sassanids in the 3rd century CE, it was later restored by the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century as a military base. Over time, it also served as a warehouse and residential area. The castle was demolished by the government in the 1980s, leading to the loss of one of the region’s most significant historical landmarks.
Abu Loza's Bath is a historic Hammam located in Al-Bahari village, known for its mineral-rich sulfur water. Built near the Eye of Abu Loza, it was traditionally used for treating skin and joint ailments.
Al-Faihani Palace, located in the village of Darin on Tarout Island in Qatif, once stood beside the historic Darin Castle. Restored in 1884–1885 by Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Al-Faihani, the palace is now destroyed.
The governorate is only a few feet above sea level, and its coastline experiences two tidal cycles daily. During low tide, the water may recede significantly from the shore, while high tide peaks twice a month—at the beginning and middle of the lunar month—reaching the coastal areas. In spring, tidal waters can rise up to 1.8 meters and retreat as far as one kilometer from the shore in some locations. Due to this, Qatif’s shores are unsuitable for docking boats with a draft exceeding six feet, as they are unable to access the inner harbor.
As a coastal governorate directly overlooking the Persian Gulf, Qatif experiences very high humidity. Humidity begins increasing in July and reaches its peak in August, ranging between 90% and 96%, and remains relatively high until late February or sometimes into March. Wind direction significantly influences humidity levels: moisture-laden Kaws winds from the east or south (the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean) raise humidity, while winds from the Arabian Desert lower it. Northern and western desert winds reduce both temperature and humidity in the summer and contribute to colder, sand-laden air in the winter.
Seasonal Bawareh winds blow between May and June, bringing dust and affecting the growth of Date palm. The Dabour winds, which blow from the desert at night and continue into the morning, are dry and help cool the air. At the end of winter or during spring, irregular Bakkaa winds—locally named—blow unpredictably and often disrupt marine navigation.
Winter temperatures typically range from 5°C to 25°C, though they may occasionally drop to 0°C. Rainfall occurs sporadically during winter, spring, and autumn, primarily between early November and April, usually as showers averaging no more than 6.3 cm. Rain is rare in summer. Annual precipitation has decreased in recent years, not exceeding 84 mm, while annual evaporation reaches around 3,000 mm. Rainfall timing affects Agriculture output, and while hail may occur, it is extremely rare.
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).
Most people in Qatif are Arab Baharna who are the original inhabited of the region, 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 Anak and Um Al-Sahek. There are also Sunni Gulf Arabs concentrated in Darin and Al-Zour.
At the beginning of each Islamic calendar, 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 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. 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. These days are accompanied by Hussaini which are religious or scientific lectures delivered by clerics in Husayniyya or . And the practice of Husseini rites. During the 10 days, small 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. 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 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. The children chant folk songs, while they roam the neighborhoods with large bags to collect candy distributed from houses.
Notable football players from qatif:
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.
However, Qatif still lacks a university, which significantly limits local access to comprehensive higher education. As a result, many students are forced to travel not just to nearby cities, but even to distant ones such as Riyadh, Jeddah, or other regions across the Kingdom to pursue university degrees.
This is particularly noteworthy considering that Qatif consistently produces some of the highest-performing students in the Kingdom. The region is known for its academic excellence, with many students achieving top ranks nationally, making the absence of a university a missed opportunity to further support and retain local talent.
It is also close to the King Fahd Causeway that connects the kingdom with the nation of Bahrain (about ).
|
|
