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At-Ta'if
Arabic:
'at-tā'if
Other spelling: Tayif
City in Saudi Arabia with 590,000 inhabitants (2003 estimate). Situated on a plateau in Hijaz, at an elevation of 1,880 metres.
The economic base for At-Ta'if is agriculture, producing grains, like sorghum, wheat and rice; fruits, like grapes, oranges, dates, apricots, pomegranates, and lemon; as well as different kinds of vegetables. Other activities include quarries and clay extraction, handicrafts producing pottery, woven rugs, coats and rose attar (used for perfume).
At-Ta'if is well connected with other urban centres in Saudi Arabia, with a modern highway linking it principally with the cities Mecca, and Jedda on the Red Sea coast.
The main landmarks of At-Ta'if are the tomb of Abdullah ibn Abbas, a cousin of Muhammad, and the graves of two infant sons of the Muhammad.
Due to its cooler climate, At-Ta'if is a popular summer resort in the kingdom. The royal family has traditionally moved to At-Ta'if for the hottest summer months.
History
The history of At-Ta'if goes back to pre-Islamic times.
17th century: Is conquered by the Ottomans.
1916: Husayn ibn Ali captures At-Ta'if.
1924: At-Ta'if is included into the kingdom of Ibn Saud, who establish the kingdom of Saudi Arabia 8 years later.
1934: A treaty is signed in At-Ta'if ending the war with Yemen.
1956: The Akramah Dam for irrigation is completed, which comes to aid the local agriculture much.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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