| Beit Ummar | |
|---|---|
| Other transcription(s) | |
| • Arabic | بيت اُمّر |
| • Also spelled | Bayt Ummar (official) Beit Omar (unofficial) |
| Beit Ummar, in 2011 | |
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Beit Ummar
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| Coordinates: | |
| Governorate | Hebron |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality (from 1997) |
| • Head of Municipality | Nasri Sabarna |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Jurisdiction | 13,348 |
| Name meaning | "House of [Caliph] Umar" |
Beit Ummar (Arabic: بيت اُمّر) is an Arab town located eleven kilometers northwest of Hebron in the Hebron Governorate.[1] According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, in 2007, the town had a population of 13,348 inhabitants.[2] Over 4,800 residents of the town are under the age of 18. Since the Second Intifada, unemployment ranges between 60 to 80 percent due mostly to the inability of residents to work in Israel and a depression in the Palestinian economy.[3] A part of the city straddles Road 60 and due to this, several propositions of house demolition have occurred.[4]
Beit Ummar is mostly agricultural and is noted for its many grape vines. This has a major aspect on their culinary tradition of stuffed grape leaves known as waraq al-'inib and a grape syrup called dibs.[4] Beit Ummar also has cherry, plum, apple and olive orchards.[5]
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Beit Ummar is believed to be the site of Biblical village of Maarath.[5][6] The modern town was named after the Islamic Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab who supposedly frequented the town. Many of the town's residents are descendants of Arab Christian families and the old city contains Christian ruins.[4]
The main mosque in Beit Ummar houses the tomb of Nabi Matta or Amittai, father of Jonah. Mujir ad-Din writes that Matta was "a holy man from the people of the house of the prophecy." Nearby Halhul houses the tomb of Jonah with the inscription reading "Yunus ibn Matta" or "Jonah son of Amittai", confirming that Matta is indeed the Arabic name for Amittai and the Beit Ummar tomb is dedicated to Amittai.[7]
In 1226, the Ayyubid sultan al-Mu'azzam built a mosque with a minaret under the supervision of Jerusalem governor Rashid ad-Din al-Mu'azzami. The Mamluks constructed some additions to the mosque and engraved several inscriptions on its surface.[7]
The town became a municipality on April 17, 1997 after the dismantlement of the Israeli village council and Hussein Badr was appointed by the Palestinian National Authority.[4] The current mayor is Nasri Sabarna.[8] The town is currently located in Areas B (civil affairs administered by the PNA) and C (civil and military affairs controlled by Israel).[4]
The town is governed by a municipal council consisting of thirteen members including the mayor.
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