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51-574: Fuwayrit is derived from the Arabic word 'farat' (or 'fart'), meaning to advance or to progress. This name was chosen in reference to a man who left his tribe in Fuwayrit by boat. According to family tradition, the Al Thani family migrated from Zubarah , previously Qatar's largest town, to Fuwayrit some time in the late 1700s. In the 1820s, George Barnes Brucks carried out the first British survey of

102-461: A comprehensive list of all of its historic buildings which dated back to the 20th century. This was done in order to gain a more thorough understanding of the country's history during this period in lieu of written sources, which are scarce. Aerial photography indicates that the new settlement of Fuwayrit, called Safya, has expanded considerably in the 21st century, particularly along the coast and towards Al Marroona . Nonetheless, construction outside

153-535: A conflict emerged between the inhabitants of Fuwayrit and Doha after natives of Fuwayrit robbed a family with close ties to the Al Thani family. A nephew of Thani bin Mohammed named Khalfan bin Khalfan inherited a large sum of money after his father, a wealthy tawash (pearl trader), died. Khalfan's mother gave Thani the inheritance to invest it on her son's behalf. When Khalfan reached adulthood, Thani distributed

204-462: A distinct minaret , used for calling believers to prayer and potentially serving defensive purposes, being distinguished by its cylindrical design with five balconies. The reconstruction also paid attention to details such as the pavement leading to the main door, crafted using 20th-century techniques reminiscent of traditional Qatari architecture . Modern lighting technology was incorporated for enhanced visibility. Nestled in northeast Qatar, Fuwayrit

255-598: A has been inhabited since prehistoric times because of its abundance of water in an otherwise arid region. Natural fresh-water springs have surfaced at oases in the region for millennia, encouraging human habitation and agricultural efforts (date palm cultivation especially) since prehistoric times. The oasis region and specifically the name Hajar (also Hagar, Haǧar) may be related to the Ancient Near East toponym Agarum , mentioned in Dilmunite inscriptions as

306-433: A landscape of accumulated sand with an impermeable layer underneath. When rain falls onto such a landscape, the water soaks through the sand (which prevents it from evaporating) and is retained by the impermeable base layer, forming an aquifer. Wells drilled into the earth can then provide access to a cool spring. The area used to be called Pit-Ardashir ( Classical Syriac : ܦܝܛܐܪܕܫܝܪ ) by Assyrians and Persians. Al-Ahsa

357-433: A number of low nabkhas , reaching a maximum of height of about 5 feet, that host various seabird populations. A short-term survey in 2013 recorded upwards of 53 bird species off the coast. Significant mangrove communities exist off the coast. In the later 20th and 21st century, the area of mangroves drastically increased, likely resulting from lower grazing pressure once the area became partially abandoned. Jebel Fuwayrit

408-541: A region that is otherwise sand desert. The oasis became a World Heritage site in 2018. It has also been part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network since December 2015. According to one author, the oases of Al-Ahsa and Al Ain (in the U.A.E. , on the border with Oman ) are the most important in the Gulf region. Al-Ahsa is the plural form of "Al-Ḥisā" ( Arabic : ٱلْحِسَى ) which refers to

459-470: A small khor; it has some white sand-hills immediately to the northward of it. The people of these towns are of the Al Bu Kuwara [Kuwari] tribe. At about 4 miles north of this place, a small village with several towers has been established by people from Wakra, and called Al Ghariyah . A small village with several towers, called ar Riyat, now stands about 2 miles north of Fuwairit and just to northward of

510-500: A suitable breeding ground for sea turtles, particularly within its sandspits . During the sea turtle breeding season (late Spring and early Summer), the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) closes the beach to visitors and periodically patrols the area. Fuwayrit Beach is a popular bird-watching site. The intertidal sandflats and lagoonal mudflats off the coast are important habitats for migratory seabirds. Furthermore, there

561-660: A warlike atmosphere. On 7 November 1847, Isa bin Tarif and his deputy jointly wrote to Samuel Hennell describing their suspicions of Mohammed bin Khalifa's plan to invade the north-east coast of Qatar. Intent on defending the coast from Bahraini intervention, Isa bin Tarif and Mubarak bin Ahmed preemptively arrived in Fuwayrit with troops in the first week of November. Mohammed bin Khalifa retorted by sending 7 small ships and 20 battils and advancing towards Fuwayrit by way of Zubarah. As

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612-470: A well marked street and form a southern and northern quarter respectively. The people live chiefly by pearl diving, but they also own some 20 horses, 100 camels, 60 donkeys and 80 cattle. About 35 pearl boats [manned by 420 men], 9 other sea-going vessels, and 12 fishing boats belong to the place. There are no shops. Indifferent water is obtained from the Zarka well, 1 mile west of the village, and good water from

663-552: Is a low, rocky hill formed by wind-blown deposits and is believed to date back to the end of the Late Pleistocene period. As a result of marine transgression ( Eemian transgression), more recent wind-blown deposits have formed a stony ridge running for 2.5 km along the coastline with a high point of approximately 18 meters (59 ft). Danish archaeologist Hans Kapel recorded at least 100 different rock carvings at Jebel Fuwayrit during his 1983 survey. Cup marks are among

714-606: Is an oasis and historical region in eastern Saudi Arabia . Al-Ahsa Governorate , which makes up much of the country's Eastern Province , is named after it. The oasis is located about 60 km (37 miles) inland from the coast of the Persian Gulf . Al-Ahsa Oasis comprises four main cities and 22 villages. The cities include Al-Mubarraz and Al-Hofuf , two of the largest cities in Saudi Arabia. With an area of around 85.4 km (33.0 sq mi), Al-Ahsa Oasis

765-604: Is home to the largest conventional oil field in the world, the Ghawar Field . Al-Ahsa is known for its palm trees and date palms. Al-Ahsa has over 2.5 million palm trees which produce over 100,000 tons of dates every year. The oasis is a popular tourist destination for Qatari nationals, who would make the 160-km cross-border drive to visit local attractions, as well as to find bargains for food, spices and clothing in Al-Ahsa's bazaars. Economic ties were severely disrupted by

816-412: Is located 91 km north of the capital Doha , 25 km away from Ar Ru'ays , 51 km away from Zubarah , 60 km from Al Khor City , and 106 km from Al Wakrah . It forms the northernmost extension of the middle sector of Qatar's interior plain region. The area around Fuwayrit, as part of this middle sector, has a surface that gradually increases in elevation from north and east towards

867-513: Is part of the region known historically for its high skill in tailoring, especially in making bisht , a traditional men's cloak. Al-Ahsa was one of the few areas in the Arabian Peninsula in which rice was grown . In 1938, petroleum deposits were discovered near Dammam , resulting in the rapid modernization of the region. By the early 1960s, oil production levels reached 1 million barrels (160,000 m ) per day. Today, Al-Ahsa

918-540: Is the Dammam Formation, of which Eocene limestone is the primary component. Near the coast, the Dammam Formation is overlain by the Fuwayrit Formation, which consists of aeolian deposits that form Jebel Fuwayrit. The Al Ghariyah Fault runs parallel to Al Ghariyah and Fuwayrit. Historically, as Fuwayrit is based directly on the coast, seawater prevented direct access to the groundwater. Therefore,

969-534: Is the largest oasis in the world. A large part of the oasis is located in the Empty Quarter , also referred to as Rub' al Khali in Arabic. This covers almost three-quarters of the land in the oasis, while residential areas constitute 18%. There are more than 2.5 million palm trees including date palms in the oasis, which is fed from a huge underground aquifer and irrigated by the flow of more than 280 artesian springs , allowing year-round agriculture in

1020-543: The Bani Malik , Al Soudan , and Al Salata tribes. The coalition forces departed from Doha and traveled to Fuwayrit via boat. Upon receiving news of the joint force's impending arrival, the culprits surrendered their illegally-obtained wealth without incident. The town was frequently visited and its affairs interfered with by the King of Bahrain , Mohammed bin Khalifa, who in 1843 ascended the throne. In 1847, Isa bin Tarif ,

1071-473: The Persian Gulf . He recorded the following notes about Fuwayrit, which he referred to as Affeeraat : Affeeraat, a small fishing town, in lat. 26° V 50' N., long. 51° 26' E., is inhabited by about one hundred and fifty men of the Abookara and Uttoobee Tribes, subject to Bahrein . A few cattle and water may be procured here. There are some small hills near this town, by which it may be known. In 1828–1829,

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1122-610: The Qatar diplomatic crisis , which led to the closure of Saudi Arabia's land border with Qatar. With the crisis' resolution and border reopening in 2021, however, Qatari tourists have gradually returned to Al-Ahsa; albeit in smaller numbers, due to improved Qatari self-sufficiency in goods. A road between Oman and Saudi Arabia, through the vast Empty Quarter sand desert, was completed in September 2021. Between 700 and 800 kilometres (430 and 500 miles) long, it extends from Al-Ahsa to

1173-742: The 50-key Fuwairit Kite Beach Resort, a part of the Tapestry Collection brand, which specifically caters to kiteboarders. House of Al Thani [REDACTED] Member State of the Arab League The House of Thani ( Arabic : آل ثاني , romanized :  Āl Thānī ) is the ruling family of Qatar , with origins tracing back to the Adnanite Banu Tamim tribe. Today Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his mother Moza bint Nassir lead

1224-742: The Awal Islands (the islands that comprise present-day Bahrain) from the Jabrid ruler Muqrin ibn Zamil. The Jabrids struggled to maintain their position on the mainland in the face of the Ottomans and their tribal allies, the Muntafiq . In 1550, Al-Ahsa and nearby Qatif came under the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire with Sultan Suleiman I . Al-Ahsa was nominally the Eyalet of Lahsa in

1275-785: The British representative in Kuwait , had met with Ibn Saud to settle the border issue between Kuwait and Najd. The result of the meeting was the Uqair Protocol of 1922 , in which Britain recognized ibn Saud's sovereignty over territories claimed by the emir of Kuwait. Al-Ahsa was taken from the Ottomans in 1913, bringing the Al Sauds control of the Persian Gulf coast and what would become Saudi Arabia's vast oil reserves. Al-Ahsa

1326-563: The Jabal is merely a vertical cliff 30 feet high, against the foot of which the sea breaks. The village is surrounded by towers, but it is not continuously walled and there are no gates. The house upon the circumference of the village are substantially built of stone and mud. The population of Fuwairat consists of about 100 houses of the Al Bu Kuwarah [Kuwari] tribe and 50 of Kibisah [Qubaisi]: these communities are divided from one another by

1377-780: The Ottoman administrative system and was usually a vassal of the Sublime Porte . Qatif was later lost to the Portuguese. The Ottomans were expelled from Al-Ahsa in 1670, and the region came under the Banu Khalid Emirate . Al-Ahsa, along with Qatif, was incorporated into the Wahhabist Emirate of Diriyah in 1795 but returned to Ottoman control in 1818 with an invasion ordered by Muhammad Ali of Egypt . The Banu Khalid were again installed as rulers of

1428-760: The Qarmatian state of Al-Ahsa was overthrown by the Uyunids . Al-Ahsa subsequently fell under the rule of the Bahrani dynasty of the Usfurids , followed by their relatives, the Jabrids , who became one of the most formidable powers in the region, retaking the islands of Bahrain from the princes of Hormuz . The last Jabrid ruler of Bahrain was Muqrin ibn Zamil . In 1521, the Portuguese Empire conquered

1479-813: The Wahhabis, Isa bin Tarif had also pledged his allegiance to Abdullah bin Ahmed. This prompted Mohammed bin Khalifa to write a letter describing the situation to Captain William Lowe, captain of the East India Company 's naval squadron, in November. Captain Lowe responded to the letter by requesting Mohammed bin Khalifa to refrain from hostilities at sea, and warned that any vessels found being used for war would be seized. Mohammed bin Khalifa retorted by blaming Isa bin Tarif and Abdullah bin Ahmed for creating

1530-550: The chief of Al Bidda , became convinced that Mohammed bin Khalifa wanted to bring the nearby town of Zubarah under his control in order to prevent future attacks on Bahrain from being launched from the coast of Qatar. The deposed ruler of Bahrain, Abdullah bin Ahmed bin Khalifa, lived in Qatar during this period. After garnering support from the Wahhabis of Najd , he threatened to occupy Bahrain. In addition to having support from

1581-492: The east, sandspits separated the town from the sea. More inland, a sabkha system has developed and is characterized by grassy rawdas . This sabkha branches out into a narrow channel that marks the northern extremity of the original town, and the beginning of a rocky upland to its immediate north. Since the original town's abandonment in the mid-20th century, the coastal sandspit has grown in size. The dominant geological formation present in Fuwayrit and in most of north-east Qatar

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1632-574: The family members was estimated to be about 20,000. The family and their relatives and associates own significant properties in the Mayfair district of London, with an estimated quarter of Mayfair's 279 acres including two of the area's best known luxury hotels, The Connaught and Claridge's . The area has acquired the nickname " Little Doha ". List of Emirs : Al-Ahsa Oasis Al-Ahsa Oasis ( Arabic : الْأَحْسَاء , al-ʾAhsā ), also known as al-Ḥasāʾ ( الْحَسَاء ) or Hajar ( هَجَر ),

1683-580: The house. The Al Thani family can be traced back to Mudar bin Nizar , a descendant of Ismail . The tribe moved from Najdi town of Ushaiger and settled at the Gebrin oasis in southern Najd (present-day Saudi Arabia ) before they moved to Qatar. Around the 17th century, the tribe lived in Ushaiger , a settlement north-west of Riyadh . They settled in Qatar around the 1720s. Their first settlement in Qatar

1734-453: The lower portions. It is probable that there are some yet-unrecorded rock carvings that are concealed by the small sand dunes scattered throughout the jebel. Alongside some of the historic carvings is modern Arabic graffiti that was scrawled during the 20th and 21st centuries. Fuwayrit is known for its beach located on the outskirts of the village, which has developed a reputation as a kiteboarding center. In 2022, Hilton Worldwide opened

1785-527: The mid-1900s, experienced significant population outflow due to upper aquifer salinization resulting from the overuse of diesel-powered water pumps. Nonetheless, once Qatar had begun reaping profits from its oil extraction activities, many northern settlements became repopulated as it had become feasible to transport water over longer distances. From January to February 2016, the Origins of Doha Project, being assisted by Qatar Museums , surveyed Fuwayrit and made

1836-608: The money, which now amounted to a fortune, to Khalfan, and to his own son Mohammed bin Thani . Khalfan would use his share of the wealth to open a business in Fuwayrit. Tensions soon arose between envious Fuwayrit residents and Khalfan, culminating in Khalfan being robbed of all his money. Having been deprived of his livelihood, he appealed to Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Khalifa , the Bahraini representative stationed in Qatar, as

1887-491: The most common type of rock art, with some serving functional purposes such as being used as game boards. Such uses are relatively uncommon elsewhere in the world. Furthermore, some cup marks may have been used for pearl sorting. Boat-like petroglyphs were also observed. These rock carvings are mainly centered at the highest point of the ridge of Jebel Fuwayrit, which would have offered the best vantage point of incoming pearling vessels. They are also found, albeit less commonly, at

1938-460: The original home of their chief deity Inzak . If so, Agarum probably referred to the mainland area of Arabia lying opposite Bahrain . According to the hypothesis, the Dilmun civilization originated at the oases of Eastern Arabia, but later relocated to the isle of Bahrain. This interpretation is not without criticism, however, and other sources place Agarum on the isle of Failaka . Eastern Arabia

1989-463: The peninsula was under nominal Bahraini suzerainty at this time. However, he had little interest in Khalfan's protests because he was preoccupied with the recent death of his brother, Salman. A man named Ali bin Amr Al Attiyah was present during Khalfan's appeal and promised to lend his aid on account of a tribal alliance. They went to Doha where they were successful in receiving volunteers from

2040-457: The purpose of this structure is unknown, it is speculated that it was constructed sometime in the 20th century to help accumulate rain water and surface run-off from the jebel. Together with Ras Laffan , Fuwayrit accommodates approximately 30% of all sea turtle nests in Qatar. Fuwayrit Beach is reported as offering the best protection to turtle eggs anywhere in the country, with 14 nests being preserved in 2012. The area's natural geography offers

2091-556: The region but, in 1830 the Emirate of Nejd retook the region. Direct Ottoman rule was restored in 1871, and Al-Ahsa was placed first under Baghdad Vilayet and with Baghdad's subdivision Basra Vilayet in 1875. In 1913, ibn Saud , the founder of modern Saudi Arabia , annexed Al-Ahsa and Qatif into his domain of Najd . On 2 December 1922, Percy Cox officially notified Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah that Kuwait's borders had been modified. Earlier that year, Major John More,

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2142-426: The sand hills." Fuwayrit was described as such in J.G. Lorimer 's Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf in the early 20th century: A village on the east side of Qatar promontory about 10 miles from its northern extremity. Immediately to the north of it is a hill called Jabal-al-Fuwairat, separating it from the site of the now deserted village of Ghariyah, which is also on the coast; according to another account, however,

2193-403: The settlement boundaries is prohibited to prevent disruption of the area's small but diverse ecosystem. The Fuwayrit Mosque holds significant historical importance, dating back to the 1920s when it was initially constructed. Later, in the 1960s, it underwent reconstruction to preserve its traditional design and materials, comprising wood, mud, and stone. The mosque's rectangular structure features

2244-466: The south and west, with heights ranging between 11 metres (36 ft) to 21 metres (69 ft). Common vegetation found in Fuwayrit include mature shrubs of the Taverniera genus including aelijaan ( Taverniera spartea ) and dahseer ( Taverniera aegyptiaca ). The original town was established on a short, tapered headland with a soil texture comprising mainly silty sand. On the coastline to

2295-1007: The tensions worsened, the British dispatched several naval ships to blockade Al Bidda and wrote warning letters to Isa bin Tarif, Abdullah bin Ahmed and Mohammed bin Khalifa. Shortly after, Mohammed bin Khalifa's military general Ali bin Khalifa landed on the coast of Al Khor with 500 Bahraini troops under his command. The Bahraini forces were accompanied by the governors of al-Hasa and Qatif . The forces of Isa bin Tarif and Mubarak bin Ahmed numbered 600 troops and lacked any sort of cavalry units. The decisive battle took place on 17 November 1847 near Fuwayrit. Isa bin Tarif's forces were defeated after he and eighty of his men were killed. After proclaiming victory, Mohammed bin Khalifa sent his warships to attack and demolish Al Bidda, and relocated most of its inhabitants to Bahrain. Afterwards, Abdullah bin Ahmed fled to Iran , while his son Mubarak bin Ahmed fled to Najd with 200 supporters. Mohammed bin Khalifa allowed 250 prisoners of war to settle on Kish Island . This

2346-459: The village formed a trade relationship with the nearby settlements of Al `Adhbah , Filiha, and Ain Sinan in which it would receive freshwater in exchange for sea goods. Fuwayrit's residents also visited an area 1.5 km inland called Zarqa, which they used as a source of farmland, freshwater and protection. A rather large stone wall was built on the western side of ridge of Jebel Fuwayrit. While

2397-609: The wells of Filihah, and Ain Sinan distant 2 and 4 miles respectively to the south-west. According to the Origins of Doha Project, which is a UCL -headed project funded by the Qatar National Research Fund , aerial photographs taken of the site indicate that it was abandoned by the mid-20th century. However, a new village called Safya had emerged to the immediate south of Fuwayrit. It is possible that Fuwayrit, like many other settlements in Al Shamal during

2448-499: Was a defining point in Qatar's history, as Isa bin Tarif's death left a gap in the peninsula's leadership which was to be filled by the Al Thani family. Shortly after the battle, between 1848 and 1850, the Al Thani family relocated to Doha. This was proceeded by a landmark treaty signed between Mohammed bin Thani and the British government in 1868, in which Qatar's independence from Bahrain was acknowledged and in which Mohammed bin Thani

2499-629: Was conquered by the emerging Rashidun Caliphate during the 7th century. It was later inherited by the Umayyads and Abbasids . In 899 the region came under the control of the Qarmatian leader Abu Tahir al-Jannabi and was declared independent from the Abbasid Caliphate of Baghdad . Its capital was at al-Mu'miniya near modern Hofuf . By circa 1000, Al-Ahsa became the ninth largest city worldwide supporting 100,000 inhabitants. In 1077,

2550-556: Was in the southern town of Sikak, and from there they moved north-west to Zubarah and Al Ruwais . They settled in Doha in the 19th century under their leader Mohammed bin Thani . The group was named after the father of Mohammad, Thani bin Mohammad . The family is made of four main Arab houses : Banu Qasem, Bani Ahmed, Bani Jaber, and Bani Thamer As of the early 1990s, the number of

2601-680: Was to be recognized as ruler of the Qatar Peninsula. In November 1879, there was a mass exodus of members of the Bu Kuwara tribe from Doha to Fuwayrit. The cause of the migration was tensions between the tribe and emir Jassim bin Mohammed , and was said to have been instigated by the Bahraini sheikh. In 1881, they were joined by members of the Al Nuaim tribe. An 1890 British account records Fuwayrit as "A small walled town with several towers, 12 miles northwest of Ras Laffan , standing on

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