Jalan Bani Bu Ali (Arabic: ولاية جعلان بني بو علي) is a commercial town and tourist destination in Oman.
There are many shops and supermarkets, but most famous is the traditional souq. This suq is in the south of the town about 1km from the centre and is open on Friday morning. In this suq there are many modern and traditional goods. Also there are many wadis which contain different types of trees and fascinatingly shaped sand dunes with pools of standing water between them. These islands of vegetation play a role in creating a micro-climate. In summer when everywhere in Oman is hot, Jalan has its own special rainy season which affects the harvest of agricultural products. The coast receives many visitors from different parts of the world.
The town is the site of an expedition in 1821 by the forces of the British East India Company in support of the Sultan of Oman when local Arab tribes rebelled, turned pirate and plundered British ships in the Gulf of Oman.[1]
Climate
The Governorate of Jalan Bani Bu Ali is characterized by its moderate climate throughout the year, mainly influenced by the cold winds blowing from the shores of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. These winds carry clouds and rain mist, giving its shores a mild and moderate atmosphere. This climate, in itself, is considered a tourist attraction for the governorate. However, it is not the only feature. There are valleys with dense vegetation, the most important of which are: Hased Valley, Sal Valley, Rawdah Valley, Abu Fashigha Valley, Al-Lubaida Valley, and Grif Valley. The third feature is the spread of plateaus, the most important of which are: Abu Al-Hais, Al-Zahir, Al-Sayeh, Hamad, Ziyad, Al-Jaidr, Al-Fulayj, Al-Rahyan, Al-Jadid, Jadiran, Zowaid, and Bihbouh. There are also about 52 springs used for irrigation, each with its own water distribution system, similar to the plateau system.
Population
The population of the Governorate of Jalan Bani Bu Ali is 61,356, with 52,835 Omanis and 8,521 expatriates, according to the 2010 census.
Significance
The Governorate of Jalan Bani Bu Ali is one of the largest governorates in the Governorate of South Al Sharqiyah in terms of both area and population. It is situated in the southeast corner of the Sultanate, with its geographic borders converging with Jalan Bani Bu Hassan to the northwest and southeast. It is also adjacent to the Wilayat of Sur to the north and the Wilayat of Masirah to the east, along the coast of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The governorate stands out for its diverse geographic and environmental features, making it a tourist destination in the Governorate of South Al Sharqiyah and the Sultanate as a whole. The Ashkharah constituency, with its breathtaking nature and mild climate throughout the year, especially in the summer, is a prominent tourist site within the governorate. This area, along with the coastal villages along the Arabian Sea, comprises more than twenty-four coastal villages and over fifty villages and settlements scattered throughout the governorate and its valleys.
Jalan Bani Bu Ali has witnessed comprehensive development achievements and services, thanks to the foundations laid by Sultan Qaboos bin Said. These achievements span various service sectors, and to illustrate, some include the following: the completion of the Ashkharah-Shanna road project, which connects the constituencies of the Governorates of South Al Sharqiyah and Al Wusta, reducing vast distances and serving several coastal villages. This project has had a significant social impact by meeting the community's needs in the areas of land transport, marine fisheries trade, and promoting tourism, in addition to facilitating the movement of residents across the two governorates.
Furthermore, internal roads in the governorate have covered many locations, and the locals look forward to the paving of the Al-Lubaida Valley road, which is one of the challenging dirt roads that pose difficulties for the residents' mobility.
Education
The governorate has witnessed a significant educational advancement, with a total of 33 schools distributed throughout its regions for general and elementary education. In the Governorate of Jalan Bani Bu Ali, two schools were established in the Ashkharah constituency. The first is the Abu Bakr Al-Razi School for elementary education for grades 5 to 10, with a cost of one million, eighty-nine thousand, five hundred, and eighty-two Omani Rials. It consists of 27 classrooms, in addition to administrative rooms, computer and science labs, learning resources, multi-purpose activities room, health visitor's room, and rooms for teachers, administrators, and the social specialist.
Another completed project is the Munir bin Al-Nir School for elementary education in the Ashkharah constituency for grades 11 and 12, with a total cost exceeding eight hundred and fifty-five thousand Omani Rials. It consists of 11 classrooms, administrative rooms, computer and science labs, learning resources, multi-purpose activities room, health visitor's room, and rooms for teachers, administrators, and the social specialist.
Currently, work is ongoing to construct the Sih Al-Tulla School for grades 1 to 10 in the center of the governorate. This aims to alleviate the overcrowding burden on the governorate's schools and to serve nearby villages such as Al-Tawiya, Sihon, and Sih Al-Tulla.
Electricity Projects
The governorate has received its share in the field of electricity and water services. The water service from the Sur Desalination Plant covers all parts of the governorate, in addition to other desalination plants in remote villages. In the electricity sector, most villages and valleys in the governorate are covered. Recently, a project to replace wooden electric poles with concrete poles has been completed. The implementing company finished its work on the project in the Governorate of Jalan Bani Bu Ali after completing about eighty kilometers, involving more than a thousand poles.
These poles are distributed from the power supply station in the center of the governorate to the Ashkharah constituency, from Ashkharah to the coastal village of Aseela, and from Sih Al-Ramth to Wadi Al-Lubaida in the south of the governorate. The project reflects the government's commitment to providing viable solutions and alternatives for concrete poles to withstand various conditions and weather. The project focused on covering thirty-three-kilovolt poles, as they are the most exposed to weather fluctuations. It demonstrates the government's commitment to taking scientific and practical measures for the future that contribute to providing long-term services to the community.
The Public Authority for Electricity and Water aims to expand the scope of electricity services according to the latest standards in the field. The Omani government has placed the Omani society at the forefront of development priorities, with the foundations laid by Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
Maritime Fishing Port
The maritime fishing port in the Ashkharah constituency is a significant economic asset for Oman due to the profitability it generates and the substantial service it provides to fishermen and fishery marketers. The port also plays a role in attracting both tourism and investment. Located in the northeast corner of the coastal tourism region of Ashkharah in the Governorate of Jalan Bani Bu Ali, the port boasts a beautiful location facing the eastern coast and is in close proximity to residential areas within the constituency.
The port serves as a vital contributor to the increase in the Sultanate's local output in the fishing sector and contributes to boosting tourism. The port serves as a picturesque tourist attraction, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the area. Many visitors to the constituency spend extended periods around the port, taking small fishing boats for leisurely trips and short sea excursions.
Constructed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries at a cost of five and a half million Omani Rials, the port consists of two wave breakers made of large, armored concrete blocks, floating docks, a 700-meter beach for small boats, service areas, a boat ramp, road infrastructure, and lighting. The main wave breaker is 940 meters long, and the port entrance is a hundred meters wide.
The port caters to the needs of 2,845 fishermen, 122 large fishing vessels, and 1,300 small boats, according to the latest statistics from the Fishery Development Department in Ashkharah.
The Sultan Qaboos Mosque: An Educational and Religious Hub
The Sultan Qaboos Mosque in the Governorate of Jalan Bani Bu Ali serves as a significant religious and educational center for the region. Located in the heart of the governorate in the Salal area, the mosque is staffed by qualified Omani youth who are dedicated to fulfilling their roles within the mosque.
In addition to serving as a place for daily prayers, the mosque also offers educational and religious lessons, Quranic memorization classes, and teachings of the noble Hadiths. The mosque hosts educational sessions during the summer, providing diverse Quranic, scientific, and cultural lessons for students from local schools. These lessons are conducted by mosque imams alongside a group of young volunteers from the governorate.
Diverse Government Services
The governorate provides a range of diverse government services that address the core needs of the community. These include housing services, managed by the Jalan Bani Bu Ali Housing Administration office. Health services are represented by the Jalan Health Complex and the governorate's hospital, complemented by five health centers in Al-Khuwaima, Ashkharah, Aseela, Al-Suwayh, and Al-Ruwais. Additionally, a new hospital named Al-Falah is set to be established soon, serving three governorates: Jalan Bani Bu Ali, Jalan Bani Bu Hassan, and Al Kamil Wal Wafi.
The municipality, communications, agriculture, and animal wealth services are also provided, covering various aspects of daily life. The governorate has witnessed developments in the field of light industries, such as the production of plastic and plastic pipes in the modern industrial zone established east of Sih Al-Ola in the center of the governorate. This industrial zone is crucial for the locals and neighboring areas, representing one of the largest industrial zones in the Governorate of South Al Sharqiyah. It hosts over three thousand establishments offering diverse services, including car repair workshops, automated brick factories, technical and electrical shops, and more. The industrial zone attracts over a thousand people daily.
In the realm of commerce, the governorate is a major commercial hub, evident in the proliferation of commercial establishments, markets, and shopping centers that continue to grow. The strong purchasing power and commercial activity have positioned the governorate as a destination for traders from various parts of the Sultanate and for investors from neighboring countries.
Preservation of Cultural Heritages
The residents of the Governorate of Jalan Bani Bu Ali are deeply committed to preserving their authentic heritage, encompassing the lifestyle and practices that have been ingrained in their community since ancient times. They hold a strong connection to their traditional arts, including the art of "Razha" (a traditional dance), "Mdeima," and women's arts such as "Bouzlaf," "Mghayes," and "Hanboura." Bedouin arts like "Tareq," "Wanna," and "Taghrooda" also receive attention, with the people of the desert maintaining practices such as the traditional dance known as "Arda," whether it involves horses or camels. This commitment showcases their dedication to preserving and passing down their cultural heritage for generations to come.
Tourist Sites
Al Hamouda Castle: Al Hamouda Castle stands out as one of the prominent landmarks in the Wilayat. It was built at the beginning of the 13th century AH during the reign of Sheikh Mohammed bin Ali Al Hamouda.
Al Lubaydah Fort: Located west of the castle, it constitutes a historical site of significant importance.
Qubba Mosque: A mosque built with distinctive architectural features, boasting 52 domes.
Friday Market: Considered the largest and most famous market since ancient times, attracting traders from various Wilayats and featuring active commercial activities.
Hiraat Al Sandah Area: This area serves as a comprehensive museum, surrounded by walls with two historical gates, one called "Muzallag Gate" in the northwest, and the other, "Balushi Gate," adjacent to the house of the renowned religious figure Yusuf bin Mohammed bin Talib Al Balushi, on the southern side.
Towers: Several towers exist in Seeh Al Sandah, including the towers of Al Luwaiyah, Al Jushah, Al Zardoom, Al Hira, and Abu Hudmah.
Coastal Beaches: Including the beaches of A'sharqah, Asilah, Al Suwaih, Al Bandar Al Jadid, Al Haddah, Al Ruwais, Adh Dhafah, and Al Khubba, as well as Ras Al Junz.
Beautiful Valleys: Such as Wadi Hasad, Wadi Burj, Wadi Madyuran, Wadi Kabid, Wadi Mudeeran, Wadi Qarhat Al Sudi, and more.
Bait Jamea Bin Suleiman Al Sinidi Castle: Located in the middle of Seeh Sandah, near the mosque of Jamea Bin Suleiman Al Sinidi.
Scenic Valleys: Including Wadi Sal, Wadi Hasad, Wadi Shejar, Wadi Bumudrah, Wadi Muheeni, Wadi Mur, Wadi Al Jahlah, Wadi Bofshighah, and Wadi Kabid.
These landmarks and tourist sites in the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali are integral parts of its rich cultural and historical heritage, making it a distinctive tourist destination.
References
^India Army Intelligence Branch (1907), Frontier and overseas expeditions from India (Frontier and overseas expeditions from India. ed.), Simla: Govt. Monotype Press, OL5080199M
Oman