A'Dakhliyah

The Dakhliyah region, in the Interior of the Sultanate, plays a great historical role in the coming of Islam to Oman. At the heart of the region lies the wilayat of Nizwa, which was a sanctuary for scholars and jurists, and a stronghold for powerful leaders. Nizwa has been deemed the 'Pearl of Islam' due to its restoration of the Islamic beliefs to the country, its seats of Islamic learning and its schools of Islamic jurisprudence. From the adjacent wilayat of Sumail, Mazin bin Ghaduba, the Companion of the Prophet Mohammed, (Peace Be Upon Him) travelled to Mecca to embrace Islam. There are eight wilayats forming the Dakhliyah region.

Nizwa was host to the 24^th National Day celebrations in 1994, held in the Youth Complex that is located in Seih al Kuds. The complex covers 443,000m² and has capacity for 15,000 spectators. Nizwa is a diverse, prosperous area, which has many agricultural, historical, governmental and recreational aspects. Nizwa Fort, located in the town proper, is an imposing structure; 24m high, with an external diameter of 43m and an internal diameter of 39m. This was the headquarters of the ruler of Nizwa and was built by the Imam Sultan bin Saif bin Malik al Ya'rubi. With its connections to the root of Islam, Nizwa has a number of important mosques, such as Nizwa Mosque, a Friday mosque heralded as a 'beacon of science'; So'al Mosque, built in the 2^nd century AH; and the Al Shawadhana Mosque which is located in the district of Aqr. The Nizwa souq is situated next to the fort and was renovated in the 1990's, costing RO2.5million. The souq covers an area of around 7600m² and consists of separate buildings housing the likes of vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, dates, spices and handicrafts. The design of the souq compliments the fort in every way. It has been constructed using the same traditional materials, such as sarooj, a gypsum material which is burnt until it turns brown. In 1993, Nizwa won the 'Organisation of Arab Cities' award.

There are around 90 afalaj in the area, the most important being Falaj Daris. The Wadi Tanuf Dam, completed in 1989, is designed to increase the supply of subterranean water which feeds the afalaj of Daris and Tanuf. The increased supply has led to an expansion in the agricultural area. The dam is 135m long and is located on the watercourse of Wadi Tanuf which is famous in the Middle East for its mineral water.

Although Nizwa is a modern city, parts of the wilayat, in particular, the Jebel al Akhdar region are still inaccessible. The inhabitants of these areas receive provisions and building materials brought to them by the Armed Forces. There is also a 'flying doctor' who provides medical services.

Wilayat Sumail was home to Mazin bin Ghaduba, the first Omani to embrace Islam. He built the first mosque in Sumail, in 9^th century AH which is known as the Mosque of Mazin. Sumail contains many wadis, some of which constitute the natural 'Sumail Gap' which divides the mountains into the Western Hajar and Eastern Hajar ranges. There are around 190 afalaj which meander around green oases and date plantations. Some of the best dates in Oman come from Sumail. There are a number of different date palms grown here: Naghal; Fardh; Handhal; Khanizi; Mabsali; and Khasab.

The wilayat of Bahla contains Bahla Fort, a recently restored building which has been listed by UNESCO on its list of World Heritage and Culture Sites. The wilayat is surrounded by a 15km wall. Also in the area is the imposing Jibreen Fort, built by Imam Bal'arb bin Sultan bin Saif Al Ya'rubi. Bahla's most famous industry is pottery making. Bahla pots are found in homes throughout the Sultanate and are a favourite souvenir with tourists. The pots are still made in the traditional manner. Intricate designs, some of which have been passed on through the generations and have local significance, are etched into the necks and bodies of these pots.

Adam is approximately 295km from Muscat and is the main entrance to the Dakhliyah from the south. Some say that the wilayat got its name from adim al ardth, which means 'surface of the earth', or 'fertile land located in the desert'. Archaeological exploration has revealed a number of significant sites, such as the mosques of Al Jam'aa al Mahlabiya bint al Mahlab bin Abi Sufra and Al Rugha. Legend and folklore surround this wilayat and stories are told time and again of 'Bani Rahu' - or 'the mosque which built itself'. The founder of the Al Bu Said Royal Family, Al Imam Ahmad bin Said, was born in Adam. His house still stands to this day. There are three springs in Adam, two at the foot of Jebel Salakh and the third located on the banks of Wadi Halfain.

Wilayat al Hamra is located in the northwest part of Jebel al Akhdar. Musafa al Abriin is an area of superb scenery, with agricultural terraces cut into the mountains, and the peak of Jebel Shams (mountain of the sun) soaring to 12,000ft. It is thought that the mountain received its name because, during its creation, it was first to receive the sun's rays in the morning and the last rays at dusk. Lemons, dates, roses and various vegetables are grown on the terraces.

Jebel al Akhdar is famous for its rose water and oil. Rose oil is obtained by distillation of the petals and is highly prized. The oil is used in the Omani fragrance, Amouage - 'the most valuable fragrance in the world'.

The al Furs fort in the town of Ghul was besieged by Malik bin Fahm. Unable to withstand the onslaught, the fort's inhabitants fled to the mountains by the valley road, called Sanbak al Furs. This road is still rutted from the ancient wooden wheels which once traversed this route.

The wilayat of Manah is thought to be the first resting place of Malik bin Fahim al Azdi before the Arabs entered Oman when the Maa'rab Dam in Yemen broke. A falaj in Manah still bears his name. In the old town, there are many caves which were said to be hiding places during the war for women and children. There is also a subterranean vault located in one of the ancient houses in Al Fiqin. Legend surrounds the Az al Qadim mosque: it is said that a 100kg rock was moved by a visitor to the mosque, which he took with him on his travels south. The next day, upon waking, the man noticed the rock had gone, only to be found back in the mosque. The rock still lies in the mosque and has the imprint of a man's foot on it. Sultan Qaboos' Royal Camp for inspection of the region of Dakhliyah lies at Seih al Barakat in Manah.

Izki before the dawn of Islam was known as Jarnan because of an idol (awthan) which was worshipped in a cave under Hilal Nazar. It was a known meeting place for trade caravans and markets flourished. Testimony to its prosperous era is found in the number of archaeological features. There are 142 towers and three castles in the wilayat, together with ancient houses of historical importance, such as Al Nazar Wa al Yaman.

The wilayat of Bidbid is the closest of the Dakhliyah to Muscat, lying only 80km from the capital. There are 40 towers in the area, the most famous being that in Fanja. Wadi Fanja often contains running water and is a pleasant local picnic spot. Pottery and mats are handmade locally, the latter being woven from the leaves and branches of the palm tree.

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