Official Name: | Al-Awjam |
Pushpin Map: | Saudi Arabia |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | Saudi Arabia |
Subdivision Type1: | Province |
Subdivision Name1: | Eastern Province |
Subdivision Type2: | Governorate |
Subdivision Name2: | Qatif Governorate |
Unit Pref: | Metric |
Population As Of: | 2022 |
Population Total: | 16,147 |
Utc Offset: | +3 |
Utc Offset Dst: | +3 |
Coordinates: | 26.5583°N 49.9503°W |
Al-Awjam (often called Lājām pronounced as /ar/ locally) is a small village located in the Qatif Governorate, which is affiliated with the city of Safwa in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia on the coast of the Persian Gulf. The village is located in the far northeastern corner of the Eastern Province, west of the city of Qatif, in an oil-rich area near the Ghawar and Qatif fields. It has a population of 16,147 people.
Al-Awjam is located near Qatif, and, like most cities in the region, is home to a large Shia Muslim population. This contrasts with the majority of Saudis, who are Sunni. As a result, sectarian tensions exist, especially during the Shia holy day of Ashura:[1] however, the conflict has reportedly eased since 2005.[2]