Hofuf

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Hofuf (hōfōōf´) or Al Hufuf (äl hŏŏ–), town (1993 pop. 225,847), E Saudi Arabia. Textile manufacturing, food processing, and Arabian horse breeding are important economic activities. It is also a trade center for dates, wheat, and fruit and has a large mosque. Originally called Hasa, it was the center of the Karmathian movement in the 10th cent. The oil fields of Shimanya are nearby.