| Jabalia | |
  Jabalia
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| Arabic | جباليا |
| Governorate | North Gaza |
| Government | City |
| Also spelled | Jabalya (officially) |
| Coordinates | 31°31′41.21″N 34°28′59.68″E / 31.5281139°N 34.4832444°ECoordinates: 31°31′41.21″N 34°28′59.68″E / 31.5281139°N 34.4832444°E |
| Population | 82,877 (2006) |
Jabalia also Jabalya (Arabic: جباليا) is a Palestinian city located 4 kilometers (2 mi) north of Gaza City. It is under the jurisdiction of the North Gaza Governorate, in the Gaza Strip. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Jabalia had a population of 82,877 in mid-year 2006.[1] The Jabalia refugee camp is adjacent to the city to the south.
Contents |
History
A large cemetery dating to the 8th century CE was found near Jabalia. The workmanship indicates that the Christian community in Gaza was still very much in existence in the early Islamic era of rule in Palestine, and capable of artistic achievements. The remains of the pavement spared by the iconoclasts show depictions of wild game, birds and country scenes. The late dating of the mosaic pavement proves that the intervention of the iconoclasts, after 750, is later than previously thought and is associated with Abbasid conservatives.[2]
While working on the Salah ad-Din Road, laborers accidentally uncovered a monastery from the Byzantine period. The site was excavated by the Palestinian Department of Antiquities. Now the stunning Byzantine mosaics of the monastery are covered with sand to shield them from erosion caused by the direct impact of the winter rain.[3]
Jabalia was known for its fertile soil and citrus trees. The Mamluk ruler Alam al-Din Sanjar al-Jawli ruled the area in the 1300s and donated land for the Omeri Mosque that anchors the village. No structures from the ancient part of the mosque remain, except the portico and minaret. The rest of the mosque is of modern construction. The portico consists of three arcades supported by four stone columns. The arcades have pointed arches and the portico is covered by crossing vaults.[4]
In late 2006 it was the scene of a mass protest against Israeli attacks when a large number of people formed a human shield to protect a house which was about to be demolished by Israeli forces.
Sister cites
Jabalia is twinned with the following:
References
- ^ Projected Mid -Year Population for Gaza Governorate by Locality 2004-2006 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
- ^ Humbert, Jean-Baptiste. The rivers of Paradise in the Byzantine Church near Jabaliyah - Gaza Studium Biblicum Franciscanum - Jerusalem. 16 December 2000.
- ^ Jabalya Mosaic Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People. p.6. 2004.
- ^ Travel in Gaza MidEastTravelling.
- ^ "Groningen - Partner Cities". © 2008 Gemeente Groningen, Kreupelstraat 1,9712 HW Groningen. http://www.groningen.nl/functies/pagfunctie.cfm?parameter=1285. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
External links
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