Dibba Al-Hisn is an enclave of the emirate of Al-Sharjah, one of the seven of the United Arab Emirates. It is bordered by the Gulf of Oman from the East, Dibba Al-Baya from the North, and Dibba Al-Fujairah from the South. It is also geographically part of the Dibba region. It is the smallest in size among the other Dibbas. It is mostly known for the its fish market and the ancient fortress, where it got its name from. Also known for its high density population relative to the other Dibbas.

History

Pre-Islam Period

• Dibba Al-Hisn has been an important site of maritime trade and settlement since the pre-Islamic era. Although there is slight information, mainly from tombs, of settlement during the later 2nd millennium and early first millennium BC, contemporary with such sites as Shimal, Tell Abraq and Rumeilah, and of scattered occupation during the period of al-Dur and Mileiha, it is in the period just prior to and after the coming of Islam that it is heard most about Dibba. Under the Sasanians and their Omani clients the Al-Julanda, an important market existed at Dibba. Dibba was sometimes the capital of Oman. According to Ibn Habib, 'merchants from Sindh, India, China, people of the East and West came to it'.

Islamic Period

• (632 -633 AD) Soon after the death of Prophet Muhammad, a rebellion broke out at Dibba and a faction of the Azd, led by Laqit bin Malik, nicknamed "Thu at-Taj ذو التاج" means "The Crowned", rejected Islam by refusing to pay the Zakat; the Islamic principle of giving a percentage of one's income to charity. Since Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, those have committed an act of Ridda (apostasy), according to Islamic brlirfs. Laqit was killed by an envoy of the caliph Abu Bakr, in accordance to one tradition, in what may have been a relatively small struggle, while other sources, including Al-Tabari, say that at least 10,000 rebels were killed in one of the biggest battles of the Ridda wars (حروب الردة). The plain behind the Omani part of Dibba, Dibba Al-Baya, still contains a large cemetery which, according to local tradition, represents the fallen apostates of Dibba (Al-Murtaddeen المرتدين).

• During the time of the Abbasid caliph Al Mu'tadid (870 - 892 AD), a great battle was fought at Dibba during the conquest of Oman by the Abbasid governor of Iraq and Bahrain, Muhammad bin Nur.

Colonial Period

Portuguese occupation (1624 - 1648 AD)

Dibba Al-Hisn believed to be the site where the Portuguese during the Iberian Union built a fort and a wall around the city.[759884] In August 1648, the Arabs besieged Muscat, Oman and on October 31, 1648 a treaty was signed between the two opponents. The terms were as follows: the Portuguese should build the fortress of Kuriyat, Dibba Al-Hisn and Matrah(Oman). [759885]

Modern History

List of Rulers of Dibba

• Under a Hakim
• Sheikh Ahmad ibn Sultan al-Qasimi (1871 - 1883).
• Sheikh Rashid ibn Ahmad al-Qasimi (1883-1937) with:
  • Sheikh Khalid II ibn Ahmad al-Qasimi (1903-1924)
  • Sheikh Ahmad ibn Rashid al-Qasimi (1937-1951)
• reincorporated into Sharjah

This timeline states events related to Dibba of UAE; Dibba Al-Fujairah and Dibba Al-Hisn.

• There have been land disputs between Dibba Al-Hisn and Dibba Al-Baya but was resolved in the 1990s.

• June 3rd, 1973: Former UAE president Sheikh Zayed began an inspection tour of the Northern Emirates including Ras al-Khaimah, Al-Rams, Dibba Al-Hisn, Dibba Al-Fujairah, Khor Fakkan, Fujairah, and Masafi.
• September 10, 1974: Mohammad Khalifa Al Kindi signed a AED 52 million contract for the construction and surfacing of the road between Khor Fakkan and Dibba; the E99 road.

• June 9th, 1975: The Ministry of Communication in a memorandum asked the Supereme Council of the Federation for the authority to supervise transportation, the control of air space in all airports and all agreements made with airline companies in all the emirates. The Council of Ministers approved the construction of the highway between Dibba Al-Fujairah and Masafi at a cost of AED 94.5 Million.
• July 23rd, 1976: Sheikh Zayed visited Fujairah. He also inspected the new Dibba Al-Fujairah - Khor Fakkan highway project; the E99 road. and visited Falaj Al-Mualla village.
• January 19th, 1977: The Federal Council of Misnitrs approved a number of projects costing AED 56 million including water distribution in Ajman and Dibba.
• January 10th, 1978: Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi opened the wharf at Dibba Al-Hisn which can accommodate 80 fishing boats. Part of the port will be used as ships berths

• February 7th, 1978: The Ministry of Water and Electricity announced that the east coast from Dibba to Fujairah had been connected through an electrical feeder station.
• January 11th, 1979: The AED 14 million electrical plant in Dibba Al-Fujairah was opened by Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi.

• May 27th, 1980: Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum ordered the immediate commencement of the 100-bed extension to the Dibba Al-Fujairah and Khor Fakkan hospitals.
• November 19th, 1980: Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi laid the foundation stone for the AED 350 million Fujairah Cement Factory in Dibba Al-Fujairah.

Sports

• Dibba Al-Hisn Sports Club

Education

Universities

A branch of the Community College of the University of Sharjah[759886] is available in Dibba Al-Hisn.

Public schools

Alkhalidya Secondary School[759887]

Transportation

• Dibba Al-Hisn can be accessed from one road through UAE and two roads from Musandam (Oman).
• No airports are available in Dibba Al-Hisn due to its small size. There is an airstrip in Dibba Al-Baya for transportation to Musandam.
• Taxi service is available. There is a provision for metered taxi service to be provided from the Emirate of Sharjah.

Tribes

• Bin Yaroof

• Al Dhooryeen
• Al Mughanni

• Al Naqbi
• Al Terban

• Al Tunaiji
• Bin Ghazeyean
• Bin Hamid
• Bin Jabir
• Bin Jemooh
• Bin Jomai
• Bin Rashidoah
• Bin Shikrallah
• Bin Sobaia'an
• Bin Taha
• Bin Tameem

References

1. United Arab Emirates: A New Perspective By Ibrahim Abed, Peter Hellyer. ISBN 1900724472, 9781900724470
2. Chronicle of Progress: 25 Years of Development in the United Arab Emirates By Ibrahim Abed, Paula Casey-Vine, Abdullah Al Jabali. ISBN 1900724030, 9781900724036