Al Sheehaniya was once part of the municipality of Al Rayyan, but was separated from it in 2014 to become a separate municipality. Its total area is 308.9 square kilometers, and today it is considered the largest municipality in Qatar. The municipality of Al Sheehaniya was named after a plant called “wormwood” that is widespread in the region and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. The majority of camel racing and oryx breeding activities in Qatar take place within this municipality.