# Al-Balushi

Al-Balushi (Arabic: البلوشي; alternatively Baloushi, Balooshi, Bloushi or Blooshi) is a tribal surname common in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf (including Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Al-Hasa and Basra). The surname is an Arabized form of the term Balochi or Baluchi (Balochi: بلوچي), typically denoting Baloch ancestry from Balochistan.
Many people carrying this surname trace their ancestral origins to Balochistan, a region in south Iran and Pakistan located across the Persian Gulf. Their ancestors primarily came from the Makran coast between the 16th and 20th centuries, influenced by factors such as serving as mercenaries during Omani rule in Makran, engaging in trade and fishing, participating in pearl diving seasons, or fleeing conflict, famine, and unrest in their homeland in search of work, food, and shelter.
The majority of them speak Arabic, while some retain their native Balochi language, and others speak Persian or Urdu as a third language. They are mainly Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi or Shafi'i schools of jurisprudence, except some Hanbalis in northern Oman, and some Shiites in Kuwait and Iraq.
In addition to the Al-Balushi surname, there are other surnames in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf that trace their origins to the Baloch people but have since become distinct. These include: Al-Houti (الهوتي) Hoth, Al-Raeesi (الرئيسي) Rais, Al-Ameeri (الأميري) Mir, Al-Taher (آل طاهر) Taherzai, Al-Maazmi (المازمي) Mazam, and Al-Zadjali (الزدجالي) Jadgal.
There are also several places in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf named after Al-Balushi, including Sur-Al-Balushi in Shinas, Oman; Fareej Al-Balushi in Basra, Iraq; Al-Balushi neighborhood in Sharq, Kuwait; Ali Mohammed Al Balushi Street in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia; Al-Balushi District in Abu Hamour, Qatar; Al-Balushi Mosque in Manama, Bahrain; and Ahmed bin Mahmoud Al Balushi Road in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

## Al-Balushis in Oman

Oman is home to one of the largest Al-Balushi populations outside of Pakistan and Iran, and it is estimated that Al-Balushis make up approximately 35% of its population.
The historical presence of Al-Balushis in Oman dates back centuries, rooted in the long-standing connection between Makran (present-day Pakistan) and Oman. These two regions shared economic and political ties, particularly through Gwadar Port, which historically served as a crucial link between Arabia, South Asia, and colonial European powers.
Gwadar was under Omani rule for nearly two centuries, initially governed by Sultan bin Ahmad and later remaining part of the Omani Sultanate until 1958. That year, Sultan Said bin Taimur sold the territory to Pakistan for $3 million, officially transferring control of Gwadar.

## Al-Balushis in Kuwait

Al-Hatem says that during the reign of Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah, all the market guards (nawatir) were Al-Balushi, and their chief was called Abdullah Juma Dar (Abdullah Jumadar). In the last days of Sheikh Salem’s reign, he was relieved of his duties, and Sheikh Salem gave him and his group of Al-Balushi a plot of land, which was later known as the Al-Balushi neighborhood or district in the Sharq area. Al-Zaid says that some Al-Balushi used to come to Failaka Island to visit the shrines there, and some of them worked as divers for many of the owners of Kuwaiti pearling ships. The most famous of those, called Al-Balushi, was the Captain Fahad Abdulrahman Al-Balushi.

## People

Notable people with this surname include:

### Sportspeople

* Azan Al-Balushi, Omani footballer
* Hamed Al-Balushi, Omani footballer
* Issa Ali Al-Bloushi, Emirati footballer
* Jamal Nabi Al-Balushi, Omani footballer
* Mohammed Al-Balushi, Omani footballer
* Muheeb Al-Balushi, Omani footballer
* Talal Al-Bloushi, Qatari footballer
* Wadha Al-Balushi, Omani sports shooter
* Khalid Al-Baloushi, Emirati footballer
* Walid Abbas Al-Balushi, Emirati footballer
* Rayan Al-Bloushi, Saudi Arabian footballer
* Hamad Al-Balooshi, Emirati footballer
* Mansoor Al-Baloushi, Emirati footballer
* Abdullah Al-Buloushi, Former Kuwaiti footballer
* Ayesha Al-Balooshi, Emirati weightlifter
* Ali Mohamed Al-Balooshi, Emirati middle-distance runner
* Ali Al-Balushi, Kuwaiti boxer
* Ali Anwar Al-Balushi, Omani sprinter
* Yousuf Al Balushi, Omani cricketer
* Hamed Al-Balushi، Omani footballer who plays for Fanja SC
* Mohammed Jumaa Al-Blooshi, Emirati footballer
* Reem Al-Beloshi, Saudi Arabian footballer
* Khalid Abdulla Al-Blooshi, Emirati footballer
* Mohammed Abdullah Al-Balushi, Emirati footballer
* Mubarak Al Beloushi, Kuwaiti footballer
* Mubarak Al Beloushi, Qatari footballer
* Ahmad Al Beloushi, Kuwaiti footballer

### Politicians

* Ahmed Bin Mahmoud Al Blooshi, Emirati political advisor
* Mirza Birkat Al-Balushi, Emirati last ruler of the western Makran coast

### Miscellaneous

* Mai Al Balushi, Kuwaiti actress
* Salah Abdul Rasool Al Blooshi, Bahraini Guantanamo detainee
* Maram Al Balushi, Kuwaiti singer and actress
* Ammar al-Balushi, Pakistani-Kuwaiti Guantanamo detainee
* Hazza Al-Balushi, Omani Quran reciter
* Adeeb Al-Balushi, Emirati Inventor