View source for Qatif

{{Short description|Governorate and urban area in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia}}
{{About|a region of Saudi Arabia||Katif (disambiguation){{!}}Katif}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            =
| official_name                   = Qatif
| native_name                     = {{lang|ar|ٱلْقَطِيف}}
| native_name_lang                = ar
| pushpin_map                     = Saudi Arabia
| pushpin_mapsize                 =
| image_skyline                   =
| imagesize                       =
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = {{KSA}}
| subdivision_type1               = [[Provinces of Saudi Arabia|Province]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia|Eastern Province (Ash Sharqiyah)]]
| leader_title                    = [[Governor]]
| leader_name                     = [[Saud bin Nayef]]
| area_note                       =
| area_magnitude                  =
| area_total_km2                  = 611
| area_land_km2                   =
| area_water_km2                  =
| population_as_of                = 2017
| population_metro                =
| population_total                = 625,092
| population_footnotes            = <ref name="cdsi.gov.sa">{{cite web |url=https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/2020/04/qatif.pdf|title=Population Estimates 2017}} </ref>
| population_density_km2          =
| utc_offset                      = +03:00
| timezone                        = [[UTC+03:00#Arabia Standard Time|AST]]
| coordinates                     = {{coord|26.556|N|49.996|E|region:SA_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}
| area_code                       = +966 13
| footnotes                       =
}}
'''Qatif''' or '''Al-Qatif''' ({{langx|ar|ٱلْقَطِيف}} ''Al-Qaṭīf'') is a [[list of governorates of Saudi Arabia|governorate]] and [[urban area]] located in [[Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia|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. This region has its own municipality and includes the Qatif downtown, [[Safwa City|Safwa]], [[Saihat]], [[Tarout Island]], and many other smaller cities and towns.
Qatif is one of the oldest settlements in [[Eastern Arabia]]; its history goes back to 3500 BC, more than 5,000 years ago, and was part of the [[Eastern Arabia|Bahrain Region]] which was called Dilmun at that time and the Sumerians knew it as the land of paradise, immortality, and life.<ref>{{cite book |last=Crawford |first=Harriet E. W. |author-link=Harriet Crawford |date=1998 |title=Dilmun and Its Gulf Neighbours |page=9 |location=Cambridge, UK |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-52158-679-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Rice |first=Michael |date=1991 |title=Egypt's Making: The Origins of Ancient Egypt 5000–2000 BC |location=London, UK |publisher=Routledge |page=229 |isbn=978-0-41506-454-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theregister.com/2010/12/09/ancient_dilmun_garden_eden_gulf_lost_civilisation/ |title=Lost ancient civilisation's ruins lie beneath Gulf, says boffin |first=Lewis |last=Page |date=December 9, 2010 |website=[[The Register]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107022714/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/12/09/ancient_dilmun_garden_eden_gulf_lost_civilisation/ |archive-date=November 7, 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref name="the-saudi.net">{{cite web |url=http://www.the-saudi.net/saudi-arabia/qatif/Qatif%20City%20-%20Saudi%20Arabia.htm |title=Qatif City Profile |date=2019 |website=The Saudi Network}}</ref>
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,"<ref name=":0"/> 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 Shiite Arabs."<ref>{{cite book |url=http://islamport.com/w/bld/Web/455/133.htm |last=Battuta |first=Ibn |authorlink=Ibn Battuta |date=2017-08-08 |title=Ibn Battuta's Journey |language=ar |location= |publisher=Al-Maktaba Al-Asriyya for printing and publishing |page= |isbn= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808193820/http://islamport.com/w/bld/Web/455/133.htm |archive-date=2017-08-08}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite book |last=Al-Ramis |first=Salman |date=2004 |title=Qatif, a study in ancient history |url=  |location= |publisher=Al-hazen library |page= |isbn=}}</ref>
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|palm trees]]. 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 [[Siege of Bahrain|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.<ref name="the-saudi.net"/>
==Etymology and history==
[[File:سوق القطيف.jpg|thumb|Historical Qatif [[Souq]]]]
[[File:Slave.png|thumb|The statue of the '''Worshipping Servant''' (2500 BC) in a Praying Posture, carved from rough limestone from local stones, reaches a height of 94 cm. It is similar to the statues of Sumerian worshipers found in [[Mesopotamia]]. It was found by chance in 1966 on the island of Tarot while building a road to the archaeological hill and not in a regular excavation.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.qatifoasis.com/?act=artc&id=1732 |title=The 1966 New Discovery |date=2007 |journal=Eastern Gulf Journal}}</ref>]]
[[File:جرة فخارية لحفظ السوائل من تاروت.tif|thumb|A pottery jar for preserving liquids is estimated to be from the third millennium BC. Found in the old castle in Qatif. It was found by chance while installing some devices for oil extraction nearby.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://makkahnewspaper.com/article/1518041/معرفة/جرة-فخارية-لحفظ-السوائل-من-تاروت |title=Jar from the dirt |journal=Mekka Journal |date=2020-08-18}}</ref>]]
Qatif functioned for centuries as the most important trade port in [[Eastern Arabia]], to the point where the whole Persian Gulf was labeled "Sea of Qatif".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.the-saudi.net/saudi-arabia/qatif/qatif-history.htm|title=Qatif History}}</ref> The term ''Qatif'' is derived from what translates to "harvest" or "grain", signifying the area's past agricultural history.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}
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|Al-Khatt]] ({{lang|ar|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).{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}
Until the advent of [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] rule in the 18th century, Qatif belonged to the historical region known as the [[Province of Bahrain]], along with [[Al-Ahsa Oasis|Al-Hasa]] 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.<ref name="Facey">{{cite book |last=Facey |first=William |date=2004 |orig-date=1994 |title=The Story of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia |location=London, UK |publisher=Stacey International |isbn=1-900988-18-6}}</ref> The [[Buyid]]s of western [[Persia]] raided Qatif in 988. In 1059, Qatif was liberated from Qarmatian rule during the [[Battle of Qatif (1059)|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 [[Usfurid]]s rose from Al-Hasa and ruled during the struggle of Qays with the [[Ormus|Hormuz]] 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.<ref name="Facey" /> [[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".<ref>{{cite book |author=Ibn Battuta |title=Ibn Battuta's Journey |location=Beirut |publisher=Dar Sadir |date=1964 |pages=279–280}}</ref> Power shifted in 1440 to the [[Jabrid]]s of the Al-Hasa oasis.
=== Portuguese and Ottomans ===
In 1515 the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] conquered Hormuz and sacked Qatif in 1520, killing the Jabrid ruler [[Muqrin ibn Zamil]].<ref name="Facey" /> The Portuguese invaded the island of [[History of Bahrain#Bahrain as a Portuguese dominion|Bahrain]] and stayed there for the next eighty years. The ruler of Basra extended his power to Qatif in 1524 but ultimately in 1549 the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] took over, though they could not expel the Portuguese from the island of Bahrain.<ref name="Facey" /> In 1551 the Portuguese conquered  Qatif maintaining  domain of the gulf allied with the Pasha of Basra.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zoTsorEN_yEC&q=qatif+pasha&pg=PA10 |last=Slot |first=B. J. |date=1991 |title=The Origins of Kuwait |page=10 |location=Leiden |publisher=E.J. Brill |isbn=9004094091}}</ref>
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 of Egypt|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, Saudi Arabia|Eastern Province]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}
{{wide image|PANO 20160923 172548.jpg|1200px|Panorama of Tarout old village on top of [[Tarout Castle|Tarout's castle]].|align-cap=center}}
==Modern political history==
{{main|Qatif conflict}}
===1929 riots===
The economy of Qatif witnessed a sharp decline in the 1920s, initially due to the invention of [[cultured pearl]]s which severely impacted the Gulf pearl trade, then due to [[World War I]]. The decline was accelerated by a special "Jihad" tax imposed by the Saudis (then the [[Sultanate of Nejd]]), which was used to fund [[Unification of Saudi Arabia|military campaigns]]. The economic situation became so dire that many citizens were imprisoned for unpaid taxes, including several wealthy landowners and merchants. Then in 1929, the tax was doubled. Riots broke out in several towns, and a large group escaped to Bahrain and requested protection from the British consul. The governor of Qatif responded with intimidation and mass imprisonments. Several notables wrote letters to [[Ibn Saud|King Abdulaziz]] voicing their complaints. He eventually met with the governor and some citizens, pardoned past-due taxes, and reduced new taxes.<ref>{{Cite book |title=الحركة الوطنية السعودية |last=العوامي |first=السيد علي |pages=29–35 |volume=1 |language=ar}}</ref>
===1979 protests===
{{main|1979 Qatif Uprising}}
Approximately 60,000 Shias (estimate of 1969) live in the oasis town of Qatif, which is about {{convert|40|mi|km|round=5|order=flip|abbr=on}} 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.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Nehme |first=Michel G. |title=Saudi Arabia 1950-80: Between Nationalism and Religion |journal=Middle Eastern Studies |date=October 1994 |volume=30 |issue=4 |pages=930–943 |jstor=4283682 |doi=10.1080/00263209408701030}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edoc.bibliothek.uni-halle.de/servlets/MCRFileNodeServlet/HALCoRe_derivate_00003652/Strong%20Foundations.pdf |title='Strong Foundations'? The Imperative for Reform in Saudi Arabia  |first1=Ana |last1=Echagüe |first2=Edward |last2=Burke |name-list-style=amp  |date=June 2009   |pages=1–23 |publisher=FRIDE (Spanish Think-tank organization) |access-date=April 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194738/http://edoc.bibliothek.uni-halle.de/servlets/MCRFileNodeServlet/HALCoRe_derivate_00003652/Strong%20Foundations.pdf |archive-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref>
=== 2011 protests ===
{{main|2011 Saudi Arabian protests}}
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 [[Shia]]s 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 [[stun grenade]]s being used as well as many more injuries from police use of [[Baton (law enforcement)|batons]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/news.htm?englishnews&20110311&56&739935 |title=Saudi police open fire on protesters |date=11 March 2011 |website=RTHK |access-date=11 March 2011 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001502/http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/news.htm?englishnews&20110311&56&739935 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12708401 |title=Saudi Arabia police open fire at protest in Qatif |date=10 March 2011 |website=BBC News}}</ref> Further protests in Qatif continued throughout 2011.<ref name="HRW_Dec2011_protests">{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2011/12/30/saudi-arabia-renewed-protests-defy-ban |title=Saudi Arabia: Renewed Protests Defy Ban |date=2011-12-30 |website=[[Human Rights Watch]] |access-date=2012-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108013013/http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/12/30/saudi-arabia-renewed-protests-defy-ban |archive-date=2012-01-08 |url-status=live}}</ref>
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<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRlA7npoJBo |title=قتل شاب وجراحة برصاص قوات الأمن السعودي في القطيف|trans-title=A young man was shot and wounded by Saudi security forces in Qatif |language=ar |website=[[BBC News Arabic]] |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/GRlA7npoJBo |archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
=== 2012 and 2017–2019 protests ===
{{main|2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests|2017–2020 Qatif unrest}}
Activists in Qatif first took to the streets in March 2011, demanding the release of political prisoners.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2011-mar-12-la-fg-saudi-unrest-20110312-story.html |title=Saudi Arabia 'day of rage' protest fizzles |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=29 January 2016 |date=2011-03-12}}</ref> In early January 2012, Riyadh ordered the arrest of 23 people responsible for unrest in the Eastern Province.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/01/2012113143917567124.html |title=Saudi forces clash with protesters in Qatif |date=13 January 2012 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=29 January 2016}}</ref>
Activists reported that seven protesters were killed from November 2011 to 10 February 2012 in Qatif.<ref name=bbc14412>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16995286 |title=New clashes in Saudi Arabia leave 'protester' dead |newspaper=BBC News |date=11 February 2012}}</ref>
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|al Awamiya]], 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]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2015}}
==Cuisine==
Although Qatif has a traditional Arab cuisine, in which it shares dishes with its surroundings, it is famous and specializes in several dishes, including:
* {{ill|Kabaji|ar|كباجي}}
* {{ill|Mary's bread|ar|خبز مريم}}
* [[Mahmous]] (Roasted rice)
==Climate==
Qatif has a [[desert climate]] with temperatures approaching {{convert|50|C}} in the summer and an average humidity of 75%.  In winter, temperatures range between {{convert|2|and|18|C}}. During the months of May and June, warm seasonal winds called [[albwarh]] affect the region. The rest of the year, the moist southern winds, or [[alcos]], bring humidity. There is little rainfall.
==Demographics==
The Qatif region is the largest concentration of [[Shia Islam]] in Saudi Arabia;<ref name="Fuccaro2016">{{cite book |first=Nelida |last=Fuccaro |title=Violence and the City in the Modern Middle East |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KptxCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA112 |date=9 March 2016 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=978-0-8047-9752-8 |page=112}}</ref> less than 10% of Qatif are [[Sunni Muslims]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2012}} Qatif is the centre of the Shiite population in Saudi Arabia.<ref>Mackey, p. 234.</ref> Since 2005, the government has eased the restrictions on commemorating [[Day of Ashura]] in public.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2009/09/03/denied-dignity |title=Denied Dignity |journal=Human Rights Watch |access-date=29 January 2016 |date=2009-09-03}}</ref>
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).<ref>{{Cite web |title=بوابة الهيئة |url=https://portal.saudicensus.sa/portal/public/1/15/101460?type=TABLE |website=تعداد السعودية 2022}}</ref>
Most people in Qatif are [[Arab]] [[Baharna]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Matthiesen |first=Toby |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y4tsBQAAQBAJ&dq=qatif&pg=PA25 |title=The Other Saudis |date=2015 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-04304-6 |language=en}}</ref> 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 the villages of Anak and [[Um Al-Sahek]]. There are also Sunni Gulf Arabs concentrated in the villages of Darin and Al-Zour.
== Culture ==
[[File:Ashura in Qatif 1.jpg|thumb|Husseini rituals during Ashura in Qatif.]]
Several periodic religious occasions are held in Qatif, the most prominent of which are the [[Eid al-Fitr]] and [[Eid al-Adha]], as well as [[Gargee'an|Qarqi'an]], and the deaths and births of [[Muhammad]] and [[The Twelve Imams|the twelve Imams]].
At the beginning of each [[Hijri year]], 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|Ashura season]] 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 [[Husayn ibn Ali|Hussein bin Ali]], grandson of [[Muhammad]] was killed in the [[Battle of Karbala]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url=http://juhaina.ddns.net/index.php?act=artc&id=36154 |title=بالصور.. المواكب الحسينية تحيي ليلة 13 محرم بالعزاء والعروض التمثيلية |trans-title=In pictures.. Hussainiya processions celebrate the night of Muharram 13 with condolences and performances |language=ar |date=2020-03-21 |website=Juhayna News |access-date=2021-08-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321163517/https://web.archive.org/web/20170706090224/http://juhaina.ddns.net/index.php?act=artc&id=36154 |archive-date=2020-03-21}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":1" /> These days are accompanied by Hussaini [[Majlis]]es which are religious or scientific lectures delivered by clerics in [[Hussainiya|Husseiniyas]] or [[mosque]]s. And the practice of Husseini rites. During the 10 days, small [[kiosk]]s 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.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=سعيد |first=مسل، محمد |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pOTUtgAACAAJ&q=%D9%87%D8%B0%D9%87+%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%A7:+%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%81|title= القطيف|date=1989 |publisher=الرئاسة العامة لرعاية الشباب، وكالة شؤون الشباب، الادارة العامة للنشاطات الثقافية، |language=ar}}</ref>
Joy and festivals pervade all of Qatif on during [[Gargee'an|Qarqi'an]], on the 15th of the month of [[Sha'ban|Sha’ban]], which coincides with the birth of [[Mahdi|Al-Mahdi]], and this day is called Al-Nasifah, and on the 15th of Ramadan, which coincides with the birth of [[Hasan ibn Ali|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.<ref name=":2" /> The children chant folk songs, while they roam the neighborhoods with large bags to collect candy distributed from houses.<ref name=":2" />
==Economy==
[[File:Qatif water tower.jpg|thumb|Water tower]]
[[Saudi Aramco]] (the Saudi national oil company) completed the development of the Qatif Project in October 2004, comprising facilities to produce, process and transport {{convert|500000|oilbbl/d|order=flip|sigfig=1}} of blended Arabian light crude oil from the Qatif field and {{convert|300000|oilbbl/d|order=flip|abbr=on}} of Arabian medium crude oil from the offshore Abu Sa'fah field (total {{convert|800000|oilbbl/d|order=flip|abbr=on}}), plus {{convert|370|e6cuft/d|order=flip}} of associated gas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saudiaramco.com/content/www/en/home.html#our-operations%257C%252Fen%252Fhome%252Four-operations%252Foil%252Fmajor-oil-processing-complexes%252Fqatif-oil-processing-facility.baseajax.html |title=Qatif oil processing facility |website=Saudi Aramco |access-date=29 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729144306/http://www.saudiaramco.com/content/www/en/home.html#our-operations%257C%252Fen%252Fhome%252Four-operations%252Foil%252Fmajor-oil-processing-complexes%252Fqatif-oil-processing-facility.baseajax.html |archive-date=29 July 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
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&nbsp;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 [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/covid-19/411258/coronavirus-italy-death-toll-soars-amid-travel-ban |title=Coronavirus: Italy death toll soars amid travel ban |date=2020-03-09 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz |access-date=2020-03-08}}</ref>
==Education==
{{Expand section|date=May 2023}}
There are several educational facilities built by the government and Saudi Aramco for all age levels, starting from first grade in elementary school to secondary school. Most of the schools are public (government owned) but there are some private schools as well.
==Tourism==
[[File:واجهة-قلعة-تاروت.jpg|thumb|[[Tarout Castle]]]]
[[File:ممرات-الديرة-المسقفة 01.jpg|thumb|Tarout old village.]]
* Qatif is known for its traditional markets ([[suq]]s) such as the weekly Thursday Market "Suq Alkhamees" and "Suq Waqif"
* [[Esplanade]] along its shore
* [[Tarout castle]] in [[Tarout|Tarout Island]]
* [[Qal'at al-Qatif]]; ancient castle ruins
* [[Abu Loza's Bath]], old [[Turkish bath]]
* It is also known for its massive agricultural areas that are rich in various types of vegetation and palm trees.
* Qatif is also known for its old historical heritage which was influenced by the different civilizations that lived here over the centuries. This  is reflected in the architecture of its old buildings that lie in the areas in the old villages of Qatif (Al-Awamiyah, Al-Qudaih, Al Qala'a etc.).
* Different festivals throughout the year including Aldoukhala, Eid festivals, etc.
==Transport==
===Airport===
Air travel is provided by [[King Fahd International Airport]], the distance from the terminal to the city center is {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}}.
===Highway===
Qatif is connected with other Saudi urban centers through highways mainly the [[Dhahran-Jubail Highway]] which runs across Qatif, and [[Abu Hadriyah Highway]] which serves as a western border for Qatif and separates it from [[King Fahd International Airport]]. The [[Gulf Road (Saudi Arabia)|Gulf Road]] links the city with [[Dammam]].
It is also close to the [[King Fahd Causeway]] that connects the kingdom with the nation of [[Bahrain]] (about {{convert|35|mi|km|round=5|order=flip|abbr=on}}).
==Towns and villages==
List of some towns and villages forming Qatif county:
{{div col}}
* [[Al-Awamiyah]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.awamia.net |title=Awamia.net}}</ref>
* [[Al-Awjam]]
* [[Al-Jaroudiya]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://al-jarodiah.com/vb/ |title=Al-Jarodiah Site |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217203034/http://al-jarodiah.com/vb/ |archive-date=17 December 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Al-Jish, Saudi Arabia|Al-Jish]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.3reesh.net/vb/index.php |title=Aljish online forum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427123534/http://www.3reesh.net/vb/index.php |archive-date=27 April 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Al-Khuwailidiya]]
* [[Al-Kuwaikeb]]
* [[Al-Malahha]]
* [[Al-Qatif]] city
* [[Al-Qudaih]]
* [[Al-Rabeeya]]{{citation needed|date=March 2011}}
* [[Al-Rabi'ia]]
* [[Al-Taubi]]
* [[Aljish]]
* Anak
* [[Hellat-Muhaish]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alhella.com/ |title=Alhella site |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026084035/http://www.alhella.com/ |archive-date=26 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Qatif Castle|Al-Qala'a]]
* [[Safwa city]]
* [[Saihat|Saihat city]]
* [[Sanabes]]
* [[Tarout|Tarout Island]]
* [[Umm Al-Hamam]]
* [[Umm-Sahik]]
{{div col end}}
== See also ==
{{Portal|Saudi Arabia}}
* [[List of cities and towns in Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Al Faihani Palace]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20181001224531/http://www.qatifonline.com/ Qatif online]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070330045339/http://qatif.8m.com/qatif_loc_en.htm Geography of Qatif]
* [http://www.qatifoasis.com Qatif Oasis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705173722/http://www.qatifoasis.com/ |date=5 July 2014 }} {{in lang|ar}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090226060940/http://www.world66.com/asia/middleeast/saudiarabia/qatif Qatif travel guide] at World66
* [http://www.goliards.net/qatif/qatif1.htm Qatif photos]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071221024601/http://qatif.8m.com/qatif_pic_EN.htm Pictures of Old Qatif]
{{Saudi cities}}
{{Saudi Arabia topics}}{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Qatif| ]]
[[Category:Former Portuguese colonies]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns of the Persian Gulf]]
[[Category:Populated places in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Oases of Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Shia communities]]
[[Category:Shia Islam in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Cities in Saudi Arabia]]