Ruined City of the Holy Quran ‘Ad’ People discovered Near Dubai

Archaeologists from Khalifa University in the United Arab Emirates have uncovered the remains of a large ancient human settlement beneath the sands near Saruq Al-Hadid, a site close to Dubai. Using advanced radar technology, the researchers found buried structures that they believe could be the lost city of “Iram of the Pillars”, the legendary capital of the tribe of Ad mentioned in the Holy Quran.

According to Islamic scripture, the tribe of Ad was known for its strength and arrogance and was eventually destroyed by divine punishment due to their persistent denial of truth.

The Holy Quran mentions the Ad people 24 times, locating them in the Ahqaf—a sandy region interpreted by many scholars to lie in Southern Arabia, which aligns with this discovery.

Experts date the unearthed ruins to be approximately 5,000 years old. The site includes remains of large-pillared buildings, places of worship, residential areas, and various cultural artefacts. These structures closely resemble descriptions of the city built by King Shaddad, believed to be the ruler of Ad, as referenced in Islamic tradition.