How about diving into the past of Hillat Muhaish? This village is part of Qatif. Qatif’s story stretches back potentially thousands of years. Imagine Qatif long ago. New generations might find it hard to picture life then. Qatif has grown so much.
Back in 1819 Qatif had over 25000 residents according to Captain G. Forster Sadlier. Roughly 90 years later John Gordon Lorimer estimated almost 30000 people lived here. He specified that around 10000 lived in Qatif town itself. This means Qatif was densely populated. It may have been like modern Manhattan.
The modern city of Qatif now includes Tarout Island. It also encompasses Al-Awamiyah Anak and other villages. These include Al-Bahari Al-Qudaih Al-Taubi Al-Al-Jaroudiya Al-Khuwailidiya and Al-Malahha. Do not forget Al-Jish and of course Hillat Muhaish.
Qatif sits at the heart of an oasis. This oasis stretches from Saihat to Safwa. It is what remains of historical Qatif. Central Qatif shows major changes. The ruins of Qatif’s Fortified City have been altered. The land sat barren for over 20 years after demolition. Then in 2006 the municipality started building a public park.
Streets in central Qatif follow the old limits of the Fortified City. Central Qatif is known as Qatif’s oldest area. Neighborhoods here include AshShammassiyah Bab Ash Shamal Mayyas and Jarrari. You will also find Al-Shariah and Al-Gal’ah. Al-Gal’ah is the local name for the Fortified City. The small streets and large roads mirror ancient ones.
Looking at Qatif from its southern gate reveals more. This view includes Ad-Dababiyyah Al Kuwaykib and Umm Al-Jizam. You will also see Mayyas and part of Al-Gal’ah. The ancient buildings squares souks and public bathrooms are gone. The palm-tree forests around the ancient city are lost.
Tarout Island’s expansion like Qatif’s came at the cost of agricultural land. Qatif’s mangrove wetlands were destroyed for urban development. This area is now Al-Nassirah Neighborhood. Qatif’s landscape has seen intense urbanization in the last 40 years.
This journey through Qatif’s past highlights significant changes. Understanding Qatif’s history is essential. It helps us grasp the identity of this ancient coastal oasis and Hillat Muhaish.