Australia’s Muslim Cameleers
April 29, 2026
Australia’s Muslim Cameleers By Angelica Hazel Toutounji – April 30,2026 Australia’s Muslim Cameleers By Angelica Hazel Toutounji – April 30,2026
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By Halal Travel Pal Editorial Team · 08 Oct 2025
General Manager, Food Safety and Defense, Yıldız Holding
32 years in halal industry, aviation catering and global food governance
Based in Istanbul, Türkiye
Have you ever seen an oasis that stretches for miles in the middle of the desert?
Welcome to Al Ahsa , a place in Saudi Arabia with over 2.5 million date palms, one of the worlds largest natural oasis.
If you’re visiting Saudi Arabia or Qatar, this is one destination you shouldn’t miss.
Al Ahsa, also known as Hofuf, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s where culture, faith, and nature come together in beautiful harmony.
One of its most fascinating draws is Al Qarah Mountain and its natural caves. Carved by time and erosion, these caves have cool interiors that feel like natural air-conditioning, a welcome relief from the desert heat. The light that filters through crevices adds an almost magical quality inside. These caves were used by travelers and locals alike as refuges over generations.
Not far off lies the Jawatha Mosque, a site steeped in early Islamic history. Built by the Bani Abdul Qais tribe, it is believed to be among the first mosques constructed outside Madinah, and possibly the first place where Friday prayers were held in that region during the Prophet ﷺ’s time.
And now, the bread , the one that surprises many. Khubz Ahmar, literally “red bread,” is a signature of Al Ahsa. Its reddish hue doesn’t come from artificial color but from dates or date extract blended into the dough. (Though some sources also mention small amounts of Hassawi rice residue in the flour mix, the primary contributor to the color and flavor is dates.)
Local bakers often add spices or seeds like fennel or nigella for aroma and taste. The bread is traditionally baked in clay or pottery ovens, sometimes lined with palm trunks for that smokiness. The result is a loaf with a crisp crust, soft interior, and a warm, caramel like sweetness.
Al Ahsa is less than two hours from Dammam and under two hours from the Qatar border, making it a fantastic option for a weekend road trip or side excursion. If you’re traveling in Saudi Arabia or from Qatar, make sure to include it on your list.
Have you tried Khubz Ahmar or visited Al Ahsa’s caves and Jawatha Mosque? Drop your favorite memory below.
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Australia’s Muslim Cameleers By Angelica Hazel Toutounji – April 30,2026 Australia’s Muslim Cameleers By Angelica Hazel Toutounji – April 30,2026
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