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The Glossary

thawb - "loose garment with long sleeved worn by Saudi men."

From Saudi Arabia Glossary

Set in the Eastern Province of Arabia, Al-Hofuf or Al-Hasa is a major city in the vast Al Ahsa Oasis, where palm trees thrive and produce over a million tons of dates annually. Apart from having sprawling date farms, Al-Hofuf is also one of the world’s chief producers of oil, luring tourists from all over the world to hang around the city’s oil-related landmarks or to delve into the oil and dates business.

Nomadic lifestyle

Nowadays, Al-Hofuf is swarmed by visitors who want to experience being a nomad for a day or two by participating in desert treks. Since the town is historically and culturally rich, there are chockfull of sights that might engage visitors into a deep introspection.

Arabian Romeo and Juliet

Among the city’s “honor roll” of sights include the Mausoleum of Laila and Majnoon, the crypt of the Arabian Romeo and Juliet, as well as the 5000-year-old Abqaiq salt mine, which is still in operations up to this day.

Architecture and crafts

Commonly known as the Ibrahim Palace, the Qasr Ibrahim Castle was built through the orders of the Ottoman ruler, Ibrahim, who was also responsible for the construction of the Al-Qubbah Mosque, the Jabel Al-Qara and its limestone caves called Ghar Al Hashshab or the “Cave of the Arrow Maker,” where unglazed pottery is sold.

Trading culture

Al-Hofuf also houses an old trading port called Al Ugair. Every Thursday, camel traders gather at Souq Sweiq, where camels can be seen racing on a road filled with wares such as gold, textiles, carpets and trinkets. The Hofuf Museum also makes for an interesting visit for its antiquities, folklore exhibit halls and dioramas.

Four-wheel adventure

Apart from dallying around the souks, visitors can also opt for a leisurely drive via 4x4 to trail the breadth of the town’s oasis, where they can have a view of charming hamlets.

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