Province
|
Al-Ukhdud
| The name Al-Ukhdud means 'the ditch' (sometimes 'the trench', sometimes 'the groove') and is mentioned in the Holy Quran as the site of a massacre of Christians in 107BH (525) |
 |
Cursed were the People of the Ditch. Of fire fed with fuel. When they sat by it. And they witnessed what they were doing against the believers. And they had no fault except that they believed in Allah, the Almighty, Worthy of all praise! To Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth! And Allah is Witness over everything. (85:4-9)
The Frankincense Trade Route from Yemen passed through Al-Ukhdud (the town now known as Najran) on its way to Makkah, Madinah and then on to Palestine, Syria, the Arabian Gulf and Mesopotamia.
Cities along the main caravan routes were able to levy taxes on the merchants, and in this way they became rich. At its peak, Al-Ukhdud was one of the most important trading cities in Southern Arabia and its wealth was demonstrated by the high quality construction of the main buildings. There still remain substantial areas of dressed stone, and ornate bronze drain spouts.
Al-Ukhdud declined in importance when traders discovered how to sail to India on the monsoon winds. Around the same time there was a decline in demand for frankincense when Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire in 235 BH (395).
The resurgence of Najran and the settlements around Al-Ukhdud was mainly due to the rise of Christianity in the area and the influence of Byzantium in the centuries before Islam.
Al-Ukhdud is mentioned in the Holy Quran as being the site of a massacre of Christians in 101BH (525). This event is sometimes referred to as the massacre of the Najran martyrs.
Dhu Nuwas laid siege to Al-Ukhdud. When the town capitulated, the inhabitants were given an impossible choice - convert or die. They chose the latter and thousands were thrown into a burning ditch.
The ditch (which may be a defensive moat) is still visible, and archaeologists have found evidence of burning which supports the written accounts of the tragedy.
In revenge for this attack the Ethiopians (Abyssinians) invaded and deposed Dhu Nuwas. For the next few decades, the area was under Abyssinian rule. The city of Al-Ukhdud readily accepted Islam in 10H (631) and has remained staunchly Islamic since.
The remains of Al-Ukhdud lie south west of Najran near the museum on Prince Sultan ibn Abdul Aziz St.
Najran Museum is one of eight regional museums developed across the Kingdom. It was opened in 1416H (1996). It helps visitors to interpret the heritage of the region - in particular the Al-Ukhdud site. Opening hours are 08.30 to 14.00, Saturday to Wednesday.
There are at least two private museums in Najran; one at the Najran Dam displays a small range of traditional household objects, and a private museum owned by Saeed Bin Fareg |
|
|
