Najran

Najran (Arabic: نجران‎ Najrān), formerly known as Aba al-Saʻud, is a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia near the border with Yemen. It is the capital of Najran Province. Designated a new town, Najran is one of the fastest-growing cities in the kingdom; its population has risen from 47,500 in 1974 and 90,983 in 1992 to 246,880 in 2004. The population belongs mostly to the ancient tribe of Yām.

Due to its long history, the inhabitants of Najran are made up of many ethnic groups, religions and backgrounds. Islam is the religion of all of the Najranis, with Ismaili Shia forming the plurality of the religious adherents. Hanbali, Shafii and Maliki Sunnis form the second largest ethno-religious group in the city, while the Zaydi Shīʻah form the smallest ethno-religious group.

The Arabic term Najrān has at least two meanings. It means both the wooden frame on which a door opens and also 'thirsty'. Local tradition also has it that the land derived its name from the first man to settle in the area, Najran ibn Zaydan ibn Saba ibn Yahjub ibn Yarub ibn Qahtan.