Editing Muttrah (section)

==Economy==
In the mid 19th century, Muttrah had a vessel repair industry.<ref name=Roberts1/>

=== Souq Muttrah ===
[[File:Muttrah Souq.jpg|thumb|right|The Muttrah Souq]]
[[File:Mutrah (2).jpg|thumb|right|Entrance to the Muttrah Souq]]
Al Dhalam ("Darkness" in English) [[bazaar|Souq]] is the local name for the Muttrah Souq. The Muttrah Souq is one of the oldest marketplaces in Oman dating back two hundred years.<ref name="omantourism">{{Cite web|url=https://omantourism.gov.om/wps/portal/mot/tourism/oman/details|title=Travel to Oman|website=Ministry of Tourism, Sultanate of Oman|access-date=2020-10-15}}</ref> It is located adjacent to the harbor of Muscat and has seen immense trade in the age of sail, being strategically located on the way to [[India]] and [[China]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sgclub.com/whats-going-on/ancient-treasure-ship-the-great-oman-voyage-exhibition/ |title=Ancient Treasure Ship & the Great Oman Voyage Exhibition &#124; SGClub Portal |website=Sgclub.com |access-date=2017-05-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094320/http://www.sgclub.com/whats-going-on/ancient-treasure-ship-the-great-oman-voyage-exhibition/ |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was named after darkness because of the crowded stalls and lanes where the sunrays do not infiltrate during the day and the shoppers need lamps to know their destinations. The name of the market has been drawn specifically from the part that extends from Al Lawatiya Mosque to Khour Bimba where the place is really full of stores and stalls and the narrow area of lanes does not allow the sunlight to enter. The market was a source of supply for Omanis where they could buy their needs in the 1960s when life requirements were simpler than today. Most of the goods were imported, in addition to local products like textiles, fruit, vegetables and dates.

In the past, the market was built from mud and palm leaves, which suit the high temperatures and the hard climate conditions and hence were the best available materials to build the market at that time. Today, the [[Muscat Municipality]] has renovated and decorated the market to maintain the popular style but has also introduced modern amenities and redecorated the market heavily to attract tourists and make the shopping experience comfortable for tourists as well as other ordinary shoppers.

The market becomes more crowded and active during Eid seasons when Omanis come from all over the country to buy garments and jewelry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.omanet.om/english/tourism/herit/souqs.asp?cat=tour&subcat=herit1 |title=Souqs in Oman |access-date=2011-04-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926212144/http://www.omanet.om/english/tourism/herit/souqs.asp?cat=tour&subcat=herit1 |archive-date=2011-09-26 }}</ref>

The main thoroughfare of the souq carries mainly household goods, shoes and ready-made garments. Further inside, there are mixed smells of [[frankincense]], perfume oils, fresh [[jasmine]], and spices. There are also tiny shops (on the side streets and alleyways leading up to the souq) with Omani silver, stalls of white [[dishdasha]]s and embroidered [[Kumah (cloth)|kumah]]s,{{what|date=May 2017}} brightly colored cloth, and multicolored [[Head scarf|head scarves]]. Shoppers can even obtain old Arabian muskets at these souqs.{{fact|date=May 2017}}

Other items sold at the souq include Omani pots, paintings, [[hookah]] pipes, framed ''[[khanjar]]''s (daggers), leatherwork, and [[incense]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/muscat/barraljissahresort/explore/muttrahsouk |title=Muscat Shopping &#124; Muttrah Souq Muscat |access-date=2011-04-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303005835/http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/muscat/barraljissahresort/explore/muttrahsouk |archive-date=2011-03-03 }}</ref>

The souq goes by various names: Market of Darkness, due to its myriad of alleys and roads lined by shops that block the sun during the day. The east and west parts are also known as "the small market" and "the large market".<ref name="omantourism"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.expatwoman.com/oman/guide/muttrah-souq-in-oman|title=Muttrah Souq in Oman|date=2013-07-18|website=ExpatWoman.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-01}}</ref>