Palestinian Figures

Though, Mary and Jesus were not self-identified as Palestinians, they were among the ethnicities of Palestine that formed the ancestry cluster of the Palestinian people.

Mary, Mary of Nazareth, the mother of Jesus Christ, is seen as a main figure in Palestine's history, and the world's. She was a Judean, Galilean resident, with Jewish background. Devoted her life to serve her faith, symbolizing faith, love and devotion.

Mary is respected and seen as the most holy woman by Christian and Muslim Palestinians, and she is referred to as the "Queen of Palestine".

Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, or Jesus Christ, is a main character in Palestine's and the world's history, seen as the word of God and part of God's Trinity in Christianity, but seen as the word of God and a prophet in Islam.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, lived in the region of Galilee, and was baptized by John the Baptist. He taught through parables and gathering a group of disciples around him.

Jesus' teachings and life have had a huge impact on religion and culture throughout history, and his message of love, compassion, and redemption continues to be influential today.

Raja ibn Haywa (660 CE - 730 CE), was a Palestinian Arab Muslim from Beisan in Northern Palestine, converted from Christianity. He was a politician and an architect who built the Dome of the Rock along with Yazid ibn Salam, a Palestinian Syriac Christian from Jerusalem. He used to be called "Sayyid Ahl Filastin", which means "the leader of the people of Palestine". He worked as adviser to Caliph Abd al-Malik, then secretary of Sulayman and Umar in Umayyad Dynasty.

"220 - Raja ibn Haywa

Ibn Jarul, and it was said: Ibn Jazal, and it was said: Ibn Jandal, the imam, the example. The just minister, Abu Nasr Al-Kindi Al-Azdi, and it is said: the Palestinian, the jurist, from the exaltation of the Successors,..."

Source: Encyclopedia "Siyar A'lam al-Nubala'", the 4th book, page 557.

Shams al-Din Abu Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Abi Bakr, a Palestinian traveler from the Golden Age. Born in Jerusalem around 945/946 CE, he is best known for his work “Aḥsan al-taqāsīm fī maʿrifat al-aqālīm” (The Best Divisions in the Knowledge of the Regions), which is a detailed account of the geography, social customs, and cultures of the Islamic world at that time.

Al-Maqdisi was well-educated and traveled extensively throughout the Islamic world, except for al-Andalus (the Iberian Peninsula), Sindh, and Sistan. His works provide valuable insights into the medieval Islamic world and are considered significant contributions to the field of geography and history.

Al-Maqdisi was a self-identified Palestinian.

"...so the gentleman asked me: are you an Egyptian? I said no, I'm Palestinian..."

985 CE: Al-Maqdisi, The Best Divisions for Knowledge of the Regions.

Al-Maqdisi also recorded the Arabization of Levant.

"Don't you see our eloquence in the Eastern region (in Levant)? Because they (Levantines) are the most correct people in Arabic, they studied it with affectation and learned it by heart, and then at the poorness of our speech in Egypt and Morocco and its ugliness in Al-Bataeh (Southern Iraq)?"

985 CE: Al-Maqdisi, The Best Divisions for Knowledge of the Regions.

Al-Qadi Al-Fadil, whose full name is Muhyi Al-Din Abu Ali Abd Al-Rahim ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Al-Hasan Al-Lakhmi Al-Baysani Al-Asqalani, was a distinguished Palestinian Muslim scholar and statesman in the 12th century. He is best known for his role as a secretary and chief counselor to Salah Al-Din, the first Ayyubid Sultan. Born on April 3, 1135, in Askalan, he initially served the last Fatimid Caliphs before quickly aligning himself with Salah Al-Din during the latter's rise to power.

Al-Qadi Al-Fadil was renowned for his eloquence and mastery of the Arabic language, particularly in the art of letter writing. His correspondence is considered an important historical source and his style was widely admired and emulated by later generations. In addition to his political and administrative duties, he also founded a Madrasah in Cairo and donated his extensive library to the institution.

Salah Al-Din had a high regard for Al-Qadi Al-Fadil. He is quoted as saying, "I took Egypt not by force of arms but by the pen of Al-Qadi Al-Fadil".

He passed away on January 26, 1200.

Zahir al-Umar Al-Zaydani was an influential Palestinian ruler of Northern Palestine in the mid-18th century CE. Born in 1689 CE in Arraba, Northern Palestine, he eventually became the governor of Sidon and the Sheikh of Acre and all Galilee, among other titles. His rule began in the 1730 CE, as he was appointed as the tax collector of Tiberias by the Wali of Sidon. By 1750 CE, Zahir controlled the entire Galilee and made Acre his headquarters, which he renovated and refortified. In later years, Zahir ruled an independent Palestinian-Lebanese state from Gaza to Beirut, lasted until 1775 CE.

Zahir established a monopoly on cotton and other commodities, making Acre a center for the cotton trade between Palestine and Europe, attracting European merchants and boosting the local economy, and for reestablishing the port town of Haifa. His rule improved security and social justice, making him popular among the Palestinians.

In 1759 CE, October 30, another devastating earthquake shook the Jordan Rift Valley region. The epicenter of the earthquake was again in the Jordan River, in a location between the Sea of Galilee and the Hula Valley. The cities of Safed, Tiberias, Acre, and Sidon were heavily damaged.

Zahir's rule is noted for its relative efficiency and domestic security, as well as his flexible taxation policies, which made him popular among the local peasantry. Zahir's personal physician and advisor was Ibrahim Sabbagh, a Christian Melkite, who put most of the trade plans that enriched Zahir's Palestinian autonomy.

Zahir faced several military confrontations, including with the Jarrar clan over Nazareth, and with the Nabulsian Tuqan family over the Bani Sa'b subdistrict, which was under Jayyusi family domination from the Fatimid dynasty in the 11th century CE.

In 1771 CE, Zahir allied with Ali Bey Al-Kabir of Egypt and, with backing from Russia, captured Sidon. At the peak of his power in 1774 CE, his domain extended from Beirut to Gaza. However, following Ali Bey's death and a truce between the Ottomans and Russia, the Ottoman Empire moved to end Zahir's autonomy. He was killed outside the walls of Acre in 1775 CE after an attack by the Ottoman Navy.

Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas, born Sultanah Maria Ghattas on October 4, 1843, in Jerusalem, was a Palestinian Christian nun who founded the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of Jerusalem, also known as the Rosary Sisters. This congregation was the first Palestinian congregation of its kind. She dedicated her life to serving the poor in Palestine and was involved in parish ministry and the education of Palestinian girls.

Marie-Alphonsine was beatified in 2009 and canonized as a saint in the Catholic Church by Pope Francis on May 17, 2015. Her feast day is celebrated on March 25, the day of her death in 1927. She is remembered for her deep devotion to the Virgin Mary and the Rosary, which was a central aspect of her spiritual life and work.