Marjayoun
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marjayoun (Arabic مرجعيون, also Marj 'Ayoun, Marjuyun or Marjeyoun - meaning "meadow of springs") is a Lebanese town and administrative district, Marjeyoun District, in the Nabatieh Governorate in Southern Lebanon.
Marjeyoun stands majestically at a hill facing Mount Hermon to the East, Beaufort Castle, the 1000-year old Crusader Castle above the Litani River and overlooking Mount Amel (Jabal Amel) to the West, the summits of Rihan and Niha and the rest of the Mount Lebanon range to the North and the fertile plains of Marjeyoun that extend southward into the Galilee plains and the Golan Heights. Marjayoun is home to the historic Cathedral of Saint Peter.
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[edit] Demography
The town of Marjayoun has a mixed population - Greek Orthodox, Maronite and Catholic Christians, as well as Druze and some Muslims. However the majority is Christian, thus Marjayoun is considered by most as a Christian town; most of the villages in the mountains surrounding it are predominantly Muslim.
The district of Marjayoun, which covers a greater area than the town, is largely Shi'a Muslim. It recognizes three seats in the Lebanese government, two belonging to Shi'a Muslims and one belonging to Orthodox Christians.
[edit] History
During the Lebanese civil war the town was shelled by Palestinian militias.
It also was the headquarters of the of the South Lebanon Army, the Israel-affiliated militia that controlled southern Lebanon during Israel's occupation of the region after the 1982 Lebanon War until Israel's withdrawal from the region in 2000.[1] It has a population of about 3,000 people.
After cease-fire negotiations stalled on August 10, 2006, Israeli forces took control of Marjayoun.[2] Next day, a convoy of 3,000 people fled from the town. The convoy was attacked by an Israeli air-strike at Joub Jannine.
[edit] People from Marjayoun
- James Jabara, an American pilot and hero of the Korean War, was born to a family of Lebanese Americans originating from Marjayoun.
- Dr. Walid Gholmieh who is the director of the Le Conservatoire libanais national supérieur de musique was born in Marjeyoun.
- Brigitte Gabriel, pro-democracy and anti-terrorism activist, author of book: Because They Hate. Born to Lebanese Christian (Maronite) family. Left Marjeyoun a few years after after the Lebanese Civil War
[edit] Hospitals
Marjayoun is home to a regional government hospital as well as a Lebanese Red Cross First Aid Center.[3]
[edit] Photos of Marjayoun
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Hirst, David. 1999. South Lebanon: The war that never ends? Journal of Palestine Studies 28(3).
- ^ CNN.com - Sources: U.S., France agree on peace plan - Aug 10, 2006
- ^ Our Centers
