Zahran (tribe)
Encyclopedia
Zahran a tribe known for its courageousness and generosity among the Arabs. Along with other Arabian tribes, it is regarded to be of the very few original inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula
. Along with other few tribes, it's regarded to be one of the five largest tribes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with Ghamid, Otaibah, Harb, and Qahtan.
Al Baha, (known historically as the 'garden of Hijaz') is the absolute home land of two big tribes: Ghamid and Zahran. Large numbers however, currently live in western Saudi Arabia
(mainly in Mecca
and Jeddah
) due to large migration from villages and small cities during the 1960s and 70's in search of a better life. The Kingdom saw mass migration from villages to urban area
s in those years, mainly because of the large oil revenues the Kingdom was benefiting from which created infinite job opportunities.
Although the vast majority of the Zahrani tribe are of Saudi nationals, according to the American Heritage Dictionary Zahrani's can be found in Egypt
, Jordan
, Syria
, Yemen
, and Lebanon
. In fact, a large area in southern Lebanon is known as 'Deir Al-zahrani' meaning 'the homes of zahrani's' - .
It is believed that the migration to "Greater Syria
" traditional Arabic
term Bilad al-Sham occurred because of harsh weather conditions and very little food resources.
Zahran families are also found throughout Egypt in Alexandria, Menoufia, Cairo, Menia, Assiut and other cities of Egypt. Zahranis have a reputation for perseverance and diligence in their work.
The first of the Zahran tribe to settle in Egypt came around 1300 years ago and his name was Jandal Al Zahrani and he was the Admiral of the 1st Caliph of the Umayyad Dynasty.
Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula is a land mass situated north-east of Africa. Also known as Arabia or the Arabian subcontinent, it is the world's largest peninsula and covers 3,237,500 km2...
. Along with other few tribes, it's regarded to be one of the five largest tribes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with Ghamid, Otaibah, Harb, and Qahtan.
Al Baha, (known historically as the 'garden of Hijaz') is the absolute home land of two big tribes: Ghamid and Zahran. Large numbers however, currently live in western Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
(mainly in Mecca
Mecca
Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level...
and Jeddah
Jeddah
Jeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The...
) due to large migration from villages and small cities during the 1960s and 70's in search of a better life. The Kingdom saw mass migration from villages to urban area
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
s in those years, mainly because of the large oil revenues the Kingdom was benefiting from which created infinite job opportunities.
Although the vast majority of the Zahrani tribe are of Saudi nationals, according to the American Heritage Dictionary Zahrani's can be found in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
, Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
, and Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. In fact, a large area in southern Lebanon is known as 'Deir Al-zahrani' meaning 'the homes of zahrani's' - .
It is believed that the migration to "Greater Syria
Greater Syria
Greater Syria , also known simply as Syria, is a term that denotes a region in the Near East bordering the Eastern Mediterranean Sea or the Levant....
" traditional Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
term Bilad al-Sham occurred because of harsh weather conditions and very little food resources.
Zahran families are also found throughout Egypt in Alexandria, Menoufia, Cairo, Menia, Assiut and other cities of Egypt. Zahranis have a reputation for perseverance and diligence in their work.
The first of the Zahran tribe to settle in Egypt came around 1300 years ago and his name was Jandal Al Zahrani and he was the Admiral of the 1st Caliph of the Umayyad Dynasty.