Al Murrah Tribe. The traditional homeland (dīrah) of the Al Murrah

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1 1 Al Murrah Tribe (ال مر ي ( Murri Singular Al The AL MURRAH are the masters of the Empty Quarter region (Rub al-khali), an enormous sea of desert that covers 250,000 square miles of the Arabian Peninsula, referred to by the Al Murrah as simply the sands. The People of the camel (ahl al-ba īr), or as they sometimes call themselves, Bedouin of the Bedouin, are famous throughout the Arabian Peninsula for their uncanny ability to track and identify friend and foe in their inhospitable desert homelands. Al Murrah The traditional homeland (dīrah) of the Al Murrah The Al Murrah tribe is one of the many tribes that traces its origins to the great South-Arabian forefather, Qaḥțān (or Joktan as mentioned in the Bible). The standard genealogy extends from Qaḥțān through the famous Bani Yam tribe to Murrah and his two sons, Ali and Shabīb, who dwelled in the ancient town of Najrān, known for its indigenous Christian martyrs of the 6 th century. Even today the Al Murrah acknowledge their blood ties with both nomadic and settled

2 2 clans in the Najran area, particularly Al Hindi, Al Dimnam, and Al Hutailah. They later extended their regional influence from the Najran area into the Rub al-khali and its borders and the southeastern region of Saudi Arabia northward to Al-Hasa, though they sometimes range as far north as Kuwait. The present leader is Sheikh Tālib bin Muhammad bin Shuraim Al Fuhaidah Al Murri, Al- Fuhaidah being the tribal ruling family. When King Abdul-Aziz, the first king of Saudi Arabia, was a child, he lived for some years under the refuge of the Al Murrah, where he learned the ancient customs of hospitality and chivalry, and even their dialect, of which he was always exceedingly proud. Known for their countless herds of camels, today many of the Al Murrah have transitioned from a pastoral and nomadic lifestyle to having modern jobs in the oil fields and the Saudi National Guard. An Al-Murrah tribesman

3 3 The sheikh celebrates his son s wedding

4 4 Tribal Divisions Al Shabīb Al-Ghufrān Al Uwayr Al Jalāb Al Itha Al Ḥithlayn Al Mahrān Al Dir ah Al Mi ayān Al Jughrān Al Mirșā Al Firj Al Hādi bin Zayed Al Birbis Al Baqī ah Al Bana Al Jābir Al Baḥayḥ Al Suwayḥīt Al Sa īd Al Munaytum Al Juḥaish Al Nābit Al Fahaydah Al Adhbah Al Barīd Al Zaidān Al Dimnān Al-Hatailah Al Ali Al-Ghayāthīn Al Ḥurayr Al Buzām Al Ma rah Al-Jarābi ah (Al-Jarbū i) Al Jibrān Al Najm Al Țayairān Al Ma mūr

5 5 Al Murrah greet one another with a brotherly kiss, traditionally on the nose. A man holds incense in the background, a sign of hospitality and honor People to Know Salim bin Rashed Al-Murrah Member of the Royal Shura Advisory council to the present King of Saudi Arabia

6 6 Points of Prayer The Al Murrah are known for roaming large distances in some of the most uninhabitable wildernesses known to man. Pray that the Al Murrah would find the well of living water, the spring of eternal life, the solid rock of salvation, and the Great Shepherd of those who are prone to wander. For the Al Murrah, obtaining and preserving dignity and honor is one of the greatest possible achievements in life. Pray that the Al Murrah would seek God s glory and honor above their own. Pray through Isaiah 60:1-7, which prophecies about the Arabs who come to bring offerings of worship to the king: Arise, shine; for THY LIGHT is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, BEHOLD, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and HIS GLORY shall be seen upon thee The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD. All Kedar's flocks will be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will Serve you; they will be ACCEPTED as offerings on my altar, and I will adorn my glorious temple. Pray that the Al Murrah would arise, shine, that they would behold their salvation, that many from their flock/tribe would come and offer themselves as living sacrifices of praise and worship to the Living God.