The town of Ibri, located in the Dhahirah region of Oman, is steeped in history. From ancient times, Ibri has been a key trading post, connecting the east and west. It was part of the ancient frankincense route and was an important stop for merchants travelling from India and beyond. Ibri was also the birthplace of the first Imam of Oman, Imam Sultan bin Saif al-Ya’rubi, who was responsible for uniting the various tribes of the region and establishing the ruling dynasty of Oman.
The earliest known settlement in Ibri dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. This was followed by an influx of settlers from the north, primarily from what is now Saudi Arabia and Yemen. These settlers brought with them their own culture and religion, which was predominantly Islamic. Ibri was part of the Umayyad Caliphate from 661 CE to 750 CE, and then part of the Abbasid Caliphate from 750 CE to 1258 CE. During this period, Ibri was an important trading post, connecting the east and west.
Ibri was an important centre of Islamic learning during this period, and was home to several prominent scholars, including Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Abu Hanifa. During the 11th century, Ibri was also the site of the first mosque in Oman.
The town of Ibri was ruled by the Ya’rubi dynasty from the 13th century onwards. This dynasty was responsible for uniting the various tribes of the region and establishing the ruling dynasty of Oman. The Ya’rubi dynasty was replaced by the Al Busaidi dynasty in 1749.
During the 19th century, Ibri was an important centre of commerce and trade, and was home to a large number of merchants from India and beyond. The town was also an important stop on the overland trade route from India to Basra in Iraq.
Today, Ibri is a small town with a population of around 25,000. It is a quiet and peaceful place, with a beautiful landscape and a rich cultural heritage. The town is home to a number of historic monuments, including the Ibri Fort and the old town of Ibri. Ibri is also home to a number of mosques, including the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which was built in the 1980s.
Ibri is an important part of Oman’s history, and its rich cultural heritage can still be seen in the town today.