Huwala
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The Huwala (also spelled howala, howila, huwalah) (Arabic: الهولة) meaning "those that have changed" are the descendants of Sunni Arabs who originally migrated from the eastern shore of the Persian Gulf to Iran (Persia), and since the eighteenth century have migrated back to the Arabian peninsula and now make up a substantial proportion of the middle class populations of Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Defining themselves as Arabs, the Hawala see this reverse migration over the last three centuries as a return to their original homeland, although some retain extensive cultural links with Persia depending on the level of "Persianization" that happened over the years of their residing in Persia. For example many of the original Arabs who settled in Persia inter-married with local ethnic Persians, which is why some Huwala appear more Persian than Arab. Some populations of the Huwala are said to be Sunni Persians who, for the major part, decided to leave to the Arab side of the Gulf to enjoy a better life. Many followed the other groups of so called Arab ancestry, who then decided to do the reverse migration, and return to what they see as their original homeland. There are still substantial Arab populations in southern Persia comprised of Huwala populations.
During the Safavid Empire, the Huwala were originally nominal vassals of the state, but for all intents and purposes, they were independent of the then weak Government at Isfahan. Many Huwala later allied themselves with the regional tribal Arab rulers, the Bin-Jiluwis, long time rulers of the Eastern Province and cousins to the Al Saud. Jabbara of Tahiri, Nasir Al Madhkur and Nasr Al Madhkur of Bushire were some of the chiefs of the Huwala, and therefore vassals of the Safavids in Bahrain, in the 18th century. Nasr Al Madhkur was expelled from Bahrain by the Al Khalifa in 1783 (see History of Bahrain).
In Bahrain, the Huwala originally settled in the cities of Manama and Muharraq, and their skills in trade and administration have meant that today they now comprise a large portion of the country's educated upper middle class. Many of the richest business families in Bahrain are of Huwala extraction, as are many of the country's intellectuals, professionals and artists.
Unlike the ethnically Persian Ajam immigrants in Bahrain, the Huwala have for the most part retained their Arab ways and customs, but a few of them still speak their original form Persian dialect. In the United Arab Emirates, the Huwala are mainly concentrated in Dubai where they have extensive business interests. Many of the emirate's major business families, especially those involved in the media and commerce, are of Huwala origin and are closely linked with those in Bahrain.
In Qatar, the Huwala community forms a large portion of society and tend to dominate the most exclusive neighbourhoods has a reputation as one of the most dynamic communities in the country.
In "Howlie" culture, those of "Bastag" that are considered "blue bloods" and known as Sheikhs, forming families such as the "Sayeds" "Aghas" "Khans" and "Abbassis" who are direct descendants of Muhummad but fled to Persia during the Umayyed era to hide from the possible homicide of his family. Leading Huwala families in Bahrain include Alansari, Alkooheji, Alawadhi, Kanoo, Khonji, and Alnaser.
The Huwala generally followed the Shafi'i school of Islamic jurisprudence, whereas in Bahrain the Al Khalifa royal family and its supporting tribes adhere to the Maliki school.
