Dibba

Did You Know?

• In 2008 an algal bloom destroyed 95% of corals in the Dibba Marine Protected Zone.
• Dibba was affected by Cyclone Gonu in June 2007, causing damage to buildings and homes.
• Indian and Chinese merchant activity has been discovered in Dibba, and in Chinese sources as well.

History

Excavations in the area have uncovered a large settlement with layers of occupation and significant finds of trade goods, including bitumen, ceramics, glass, and coins. Three copper alloy tetradrachms link the site to the Hellenistic period at Mleiha and Ed-Dur, while Roman amphorae, ceramics, and glass attest to lively regional trade. Finds indicate connections with Bahrain, northeastern Arabia, Iran, Mesopotamia, India, and the Roman Empire; two intaglios engraved with figures of Perseus and Medusa suggest an extensive pre-Islamic trade network reaching far to the East. Under the Sasanians and their clients, the Julanda and Azd, an important market existed at Dibba. According to Ibn Habib, merchants from Sindh, India, China, and people of the East and West came to it. After the death of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, a rebellion broke out at Dibba led by Laqit bin Malik Dhu at-Taj. Some traditions describe a small struggle, while al-Tabari reports that at least 10,000 rebels were killed in the Battle of Dibba. The plain behind Dibba contains a large cemetery traditionally representing the fallen apostates.

Geology

The Dibba Fault is one of two active faults in the UAE, meaning it has moved in recent geological time. It enters Oman from the north and continues south into central Arabia. Between 2003 and 2004, residents of Dibba experienced at least 150 tremors, suggesting a large earthquake is likely in the future. The 2005 Qeshm earthquake was also felt there. On its western side, the fault cuts across a Mesozoic and Cenozoic accretionary wedge at the Zendan Fault–Oman Line. The Dibba Fault marks the boundary between the ophiolites of the Oman Mountains and the Mesozoic carbonates of the Musandam Peninsula. On 31 March 2009, two tremors with magnitudes of 2.9 and 3.5 struck the Gulf of Aden and northern Dibba, and were lightly felt in parts of the northern emirates.

Towns

Dibba is a region on the east coast made up of three distinct towns. Dibba Al-Fujairah, one of Fujairah's largest towns, includes small villages nestled between mountains and the sea. In winter, people from across the UAE camp in its mountains, while summer brings water sports and visits to its sandy beaches, which are considered among the best in the country and feature many luxury hotels. Dibba Al-Hisn, the smallest of the three, borders the Gulf of Oman to the east and is known for its fish market and a fortress that gives the town its name. It is more densely populated than the other Dibbas. Land disputes between Dibba Al-Hisn and Dibba Al-Baya were settled in the 1990s. Dibba Al-Hisn is thought to be where the Portuguese built a fort and wall during the Iberian Union. Dibba Al-Baya, the most northerly, serves as a gateway to the Musandam Peninsula.

Notable people

Dibba was the birthplace of Al Muhallab ibn Abi Suffrah, an Azdi Arab commander whose image appeared on the first United Arab Emirates dirham coins after the country's conversion to Islam. Laqit bin Malik, called the Crowned One, led the Al Riddah apostasy against the local Muslim Julanda rulers. An army under Hudayfa, backed by Ikrimah ibn Abi-Jahl and 'Arfaja, defeated Laqit at Dibba in a battle that reportedly caused 10,000 combined casualties. Hudayfah stayed in Oman as governor, restoring order.