Said al-Shawa (Arabic: سعيد الشوا) (1868–October 1930) was a Palestinian Arab politician and the first mayor of Gaza, reigning from 1906 to 1917.[1] He was also one of the most influential members of the Supreme Muslim Council from 1921 until his death. He was an opponent of British mandatory rule in Palestine, supporting the Ottomans during World War I and the anti-British Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Amin al-Husayni.
Contents |
Al-Shawa was born into the prominent Shawa family of Gaza,[2] and his father Mohammed Khalil al-Shawa served as the chairman of the Municipality of Gaza when it was founded in 1893. Before entering politics, Sa'id was involved in a career as a grain exporter.[3] In 1904, he was appointed a member of the municipal council and in 1906, he became the city's first mayor. During his reign as mayor he built a hospital, several mosques and schools in Gaza, and is credited with introducing the modern plow to the city in 1911.[1] Al-Shawa developed close relationships with the Ottoman Army during World War I and was awarded honorary decorations by the Ottoman authorities. His sympathy with the Ottomans during the war caused the victorious British Army to depose him in 1917.[1]
Al-Shawa represented Gaza at the 1st, 4th and 5th Palestinian National Congress held in 1919, 1920 and 1922.[3] In 1921, shortly after the founding of the Supreme Muslim Council, al-Shawa was elected as one of the four members of the council's electoral college—the highest-ranking body. He was chosen to represent the Gaza, southern Palestine, and the District of Jerusalem from 1922 to 1929. By then, al-Shawa was a major landowner in Gaza,[4] as well as Beersheba, owning a total of roughly 50,000 dunams.[1] The president of the Supreme Muslim Council, Amin al-Husayni, handed al-Shawa extensive powers in southern Palestine to ensure his loyalty.[5] In 1926–27, he took charge in the restoration of the Great Mosque of Gaza after it was mostly destroyed by British bombardment during the World War.[1] Al-Shawa died in 1930 and was replaced Muhi ad-Din 'Abd al-Shafi, a Muslim scholar and opponent of al-Husayni.[6]