Silwad

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Silwad (Arabic: سلواد‎) is a Palestinian town located 7.5 miles north of Ramallah. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), the town had a population of 7,250 inhabitants in mid-year 2006.

Historians argued the source of Silwad. Some debated that the name is derived from the words “Lisan” & “Wad” meaning ‘Tongue of the Valley’ as the town is surrounded by mountains from all sides while the town appears as tongue amidst the mountains. Others mention that Silwad comes from the source “Sal” &“Wad” meaning ‘a Running Valley’, the words were combined together to give the current name of the town.

As in other towns and cities of Palestine, Israel has made a significant effort to establish settlements within Silwad. Today Silwad borders one of the biggest settlements in Ramallah (Ofrah Settlement).

[edit] Demographics

The main family inhabitants are Hamed, Hammad, and Ayyad. It is believed to be that Hamed and Hammad are brothers. Ayyad is believed to have been accompanying the two brothers. Hamed is proven to be the largest family there. There is an Israeli military outpost on Tall Asur the highest point near Silwad. The village has an ancient history, its fields are famous for olive and fig trees. People of Silwad depend on farming as well as handicrafts and general works, though life became intolerable under occupation.

According to the estimates of Silwad Association in Jordan the population of the people of Silwad in Diaspora exceeds 25,000 (1996 estimates). Among these, 8,000 reside in Silwad while the remainder are spread throughout the world. There are about 8,000 Palestinians from Silwad in Kuwait, and there are also some in South America, especially Brazil.^{[citation needed]}

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