Field Interviews with Al-Oqilat Elders

In an ongoing effort to document the oral history of the Al-Oqilat, Abdullatif bin Saleh Al-Wuhaibi conducted a number of field visits and interviews with Al-Oqilat figures and community elders who had witnessed their stories or preserved accounts of their lives and achievements in trade, travel, horses, and camels.

Meeting with Sheikh Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Hujailan

The respected Al-Oqilat figure Sheikh Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Hujailan was born in 1340 AH. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz—then head of the National Guard—selected him to serve as Director of the National Guard Cavalry in Riyadh.

• He received honorary life membership in the Egyptian association for horse racing and horse owners.
• His horses competed at racetracks in Cairo and Alexandria.
• He accumulated more than forty years of expertise in Arabian horse bloodlines, types, and branches.

Abdullatif bin Saleh Al-Wuhaibi interviewed Sheikh Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Hujailan at his home to record an account of his life with the Al-Oqilat and his experience with horses and racetracks across the Arab world.

Meeting with Sheikh Eid bin Ismail Oudatallah Al-Shalabi in Ma‘an

Abdullatif Al-Wuhaibi visited Sheikh Eid bin Ismail Oudatallah Al-Shalabi at his home in Ma‘an, Jordan, to document information about the Al-Oqilat and the reputation they earned in the Levant.

Sheikh Eid recalled that the Al-Oqilat were men of honor, honesty, courage, chivalry, and faith. They were noble men and camel merchants who remained devoted to their religion. He said that the Ras Al-Ain district east of Amman was near the Al-Oqilat market for camels, sheep, and horses. Beside the market they built a stone prayer area with a mihrab, and whenever prayer time came, they would go down to it to pray.

Sheikh Eid in his youth

Visit to the Museum of Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Naeem

Abdullatif Al-Wuhaibi also visited Mohammed bin Ibrahim bin Sulaiman Al-Naeem at his museum, which is rich in heritage, in the presence of Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Naeem, Sheikh Abdullah bin Hassan Al-Naeem, and Sheikh Ali Al-Hassan Al-Naeem. The visit formed part of the effort to document and preserve collections and achievements connected with Al-Oqilat history for future generations.

Mohammed bin Ibrahim bin Sulaiman Al-Naeem; Sheikh Abdullah bin Hassan Al-Naeem; Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Naeem; and Sheikh Ali Al-Hassan Al-Naeem.