Al-Lawatia

Lawati) also occasionally known as Hyderabadis are a prominent merchant tribe originally from the Sindh region and now mainly based in the province of Muscat, Oman.

[1][2] Many Lawati families of successful merchants of the past are now involved in large multi-faceted corporations participating in the development of the region.

According to this theory, the Lawatis were Ismailis who migrated to Oman from Sindh in the 19th century, before converting to Twelver Shi'ism following a dispute with the leadership of the community.

The Sur has seen a major exodus in recent decades as Lawatis have moved to more modern neighborhoods as a result of increasing development, the availability of facilities and growing wealth and business of the community.

[9] The first historical mention of the Lawatis is said to have been by the Omani historian Ibn Ruzayq, who said that notables of the community greeted the first ruler of the currently ruling Al Said dynasty on his arrival to Muscat in the 1740.

Al Hajj Baqer, one of the pioneer merchants in Muttrah and well-respected public figure, lead the tribe as the Lawati sheikh.

[12] On the business front in the UAE, the tribe is represented by families such as the Sajwanis who have become part and parcel of the Emirati institution and rarely known by their Omani and Lawati origins.

Compared to the neighbouring UAE, Oman is known for the lack of marginalisation of the various sects and does not have the same anti-Shia problem systemic to the rest of the Gulf states.