Abu Dhalouf

In Arabic, 'abu' means 'father' and in this context is used to describe an area with a distinct feature. 'Dhalouf' is derived from the Arabic term 'dhalfa', which is the name given to the curved ends of saddles used for camel riding. It was so-named because of a prominent hill that resembled the end of a saddle.[5]

Alternative transliterations of the name are Abu Dhaluf,[6] Abū Ḑalūf,[7] Abu Dhuluf,[8] and Abū Z̧ulūf.[9]

In the 1820s, George Barnes Brucks was tasked with preparing the first British survey of the Persian Gulf.[10] He wrote down the following notes about Abu Dhalouf, which he referred to as Boodeshoof:

"Boodeshoof, in lat. 26° 7' 50' N., long. 51° 16' E., is on the point nearly opposite Ras Reccan, and is subject to Bahrein, having about fifty men of the Abookara Tribe, mostly fishermen."[11]

• 
  Abu Dhalouf as Boodeshoof in an 1824 map of the Qatar Peninsula based upon Brucks' research.

J.G. Lorimer's Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf gives an account of Abu Dhalouf in 1908:

A village on the north-west coast of the Qatar Promontory, near its tip and 1 or 2 miles south-west of Ar Ru'ays. It is difficult of approach from seaword being fronted by a reef 2 1/2 miles broad which is nearly dry at low weater. The inhabitants are about 70 families of the Manan'ah (Al Mannai) tribe owning 20 pearl boats [manned by 200 men], 5 other sea-going vessels and 10 fishing boats. Their drinking water is from the well of Umm Dha'an, about 1 1/2 miles inland. Camels here number 30.[12]

Reiterating details present in G.B. Brucks' earlier report, Lorimer also stated that prior to 1856, the village was inhabited by about 50 men of the Bu Kuwara (Kuwari) tribe.[13]

Entrance to Abu Dhalouf Park

Many historic mosques exist in the town. Among the most notable of these mosques is Bahar Mosque, which was opened in 1940 and has since been restored by Qatar Museums.[14]

One of the most popular attractions in the town is Abu Dhalouf Park. It is situated along the Abu Dhalouf Beach, providing a vantage point of the Persian Gulf, and is also near the town center.[15] The park draws in thousands of visitors every year from elsewhere in the north and from Doha. In 2016, it was reported that several locals had lodged complaints stating that the park had fallen into disrepair. They claimed that the landscaping and children's playground equipment were deteriorating, and that the park lacked suitable lighting at night. Thus, in April 2016, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment began a QR 12.5 million renovation that spanned the park's 17,000 m² area.[16]

The settlement's first formal school was opened in 1957.[17]