Traditionally, Al-Lawatia have been known as prominent merchants on the coasts of Muttrah which lies 2 kilometers west of Muscat. They have worked in the incense (), jewelry and clothes business as well as in general trade. The community occupies a gated quarter of Muttrah known as "Sur al-Lawatia". The quarter still boasts attractive houses with a unique Islamic architectural view and a large mosque known as "Al-Rasul Al-Aadam Mosque" or "The Greatest Prophets Mosque" in reference to Muhammad. The Sur has seen a major exodus in recent decades as Lawatis have moved to more modern neighborhoods as a result of increasing development, the availability of facilities and growing wealth and business of the community. Another great historic monument built by the tribe is "Al-Zahra Mosque" in the UAE, which was built nearly 300 years ago