Columbia University Delegation Tours Hofuf

Author: Aramco ExPats' Staff
Released 30 March 2004

Hofuf
Photographs by Aramco ExPats

On Thursday, March 18, 2004, the delegates from Columbia University visited Hofuf, city in eastern Saudi Arabia, in Ash Shariqiyah (Al Hasa) Province, situated in one of the largest oases in the world, and a leading producer of dates. Al-Hasa is located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia on the fringe of the Empty Quarter, one of the most dramatic regions on earth. It is situated on the centuries old trading routes between the Far East and the Middle East.

Qasr Ibrahim

Our first stop was Qasr Ibrahim which was built in Hofuf in 963 AH by Ali Ibn Ahmed Ibn Lawand Al-Burayki, the Ottomon Governor of the time. He also built the Al-Qubbah Mosque, still in existence today. In 1216 AH, the Saudi Governor Ibrahim Ibn ‘Ufaysan renovated the castle, and some historians ascribe the castle to him. Covering 16, 500 square meters, Qasr Ibrahim combines Islamic and military architecture. The mosque of al-Qubba was built inside the fortification wall of the palace, which contains a large single dome and is unique in its construction and style in the Kingdom.

Camel Market

Back at the camel market, some delegates mounted these gangly, one-humped dromedaries reminiscent of the days when the camel was the main form of transportation on the long and arduous journey of the spice traders from southern Arabia to the northern regions of the Middle East.

Ghar Al Hashshab

Jabel Qara

After a quick visit to the suqs, we were taken to the eastern side of the oasis to Jabel Qara containing limestone caves named Ghar Al Hashshab, “cave of the arrow maker”. Jabel Qara rises above the date palm orchards as a series of very deep and narrow joint-controlled fissures in a massive limestone outcropping. Most passages open to the sky, but cool air settles in the fissures and breathes out from the impressive entrance.

Hofuf Potter

Leaving the caves, we stopped at the local potter who demonstrated his skills before we were treated to lunch at the Al-Hasa Intercontinental Hotel. The hotel was built in 2002.

Causeway

Departure Day

Friday, March 19, 2004, was the last day of the tour. The delegates were taken across the King Fahad Causeway, a 15.5 mile (27-kilometer), four-lane causeway connecting the Saudi Arabian mainland with the island Gulf State of Bahrain. It is one of the most expensive bridges in the world and the second longest land-link, transporting an estimated 13,500,000 vehicles since its opening in 1986 and encouraging commercial prosperity and cohesion within the Gulf itself.

A visit was made to Munira Al-Ashgar’s Gallery in Ar-Rabiya. Mrs. Al-Ashgar, the wife of retired former Saudi Aramco Senior Vice President, Saud A. Al-Ashgar, has created a wonderful museum in the grounds of her house consisting of Saudi Arabian artifacts she has been collecting for a number of years.

The group was then taken on a tour of the Dhahran residential area before getting ready to leave the Eastern Province for Jeddah.

Aramco Expats