Majdal Shams

Majdal Shams
Majdal Shams
مجدل شمس
‎‎מַגְ'דַל שַׁמְס‎‎
Majdal Shams, a Druze village in the Golan Heights
Coordinates: 33°16′N 35°46′E / 33.267°N 35.767°E / 33.267; 35.767Coordinates: 33°16′N 35°46′E / 33.267°N 35.767°E / 33.267; 35.767
Country  Israel  Syria. Seized by Israel from Syria in 1967; under Israeli civil law since 1981. Still claimed by Syria.
Israeli District North District
Israeli Subdistrict Golan
Syrian Governorate Quneitra Governorate
Syrian District Quneitra District
Elevation 1,130 m (3,707 ft)
Population
 – Total 8,800

Majdal Shams (Arabic: مجدل شمس.‎; Hebrew: מַגְ'דַל שַׁמְס‎‎) is a Druze village in the northern part of the Golan Heights, in the southern foothills of Mt. Hermon. Since the June 1967 Six-Day War, the village has been controlled by Israel[1], first under martial law, but since 1981 under Israeli civil law, and incorporated into the Israeli system of local councils.

Contents

Etymology

The name Majdal Shams is thought to be of Northwest Semitic origin meaning "tower of sun".[2][3]


Demography

Majdal Shams is the largest of the four Druze villages in the Golan. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, as of September 2005 Majdal Shams's population was 8,800. The population growth rate is 2.5%. The ratio between men and women is 951 women for every 1,000 men. The village is politically and spiritually governed by the Abu-Salah and Safdie families.[4] The inhabitants of Majdal Shams are considered to be Syrian citizens by the Syrian authorities, but since 1981 they are also considered to be permanent residents in Israel by the Israeli authorities. They are entitled to full Israeli citizenship upon request, however only few opted to become Israeli citizens. Israel does not recognize the inhabitants' Syrian citizenship, and after debates and deliberations with the Israeli government, it was agreed they would be defined in the Israeli records merely as "residents of the Golan Heights". Majdal Shams inhabitants are not enlisted to the Israeli army, and unless applying for Israeli citizenship, they cannot vote or be elected to the Knesset, and are not entitled to an Israeli passport. Instead, they travel abroad with laissez passer issued by the Israeli authorities. Being "permanent residents" Majdal Shams inhabitants are free to work and study in Israel and receive state's services like health insurance. They are also free to change their residence and live inside Israel. Nevertheless, many of them maintain contacts with Syria and travel there, when possible and with the aid of the Red Cross, to visit family or receive university tuition, which is available for free for Syrian citizens.

Economy

The village is surrounded by apple and cherry orchards. [5] During winter, villagers also sell or hire ski equipment to visitors of the Hermon ski resort.

Landmarks

One kilometer east of the town center, on the other side of the valley, is the Shouting Hill, where Majdal Shams' Druze line up with bullhorns to make small-talk with relatives on the Syrian side. The Shouting Hill near A-line is situated at 4.5 km southwest of the village of Hadar at 1,100 m above sea level.

Cultural references

Majdal Shams was the village featured in the award-winning film, The Syrian Bride (2004).

References

  1. ^ "Golan Druze celebrate across barbed wire". BBC News. April 18, 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7353494.stm. Retrieved May 12, 2010. 
  2. ^ "هوية الجولان من خلال أسماء قراه وبلداته" (in Arabic). The Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums. 24 November 2008. http://www.dgam.gov.sy/?d=227&id=740. Retrieved 18 May 2011. 
  3. ^ O. Harrassowitz, Mediterranean language review , Volumes 8-10,
  4. ^ Druze history and culture
  5. ^ "Golan Druze celebrate across barbed wire". BBC News. April 18, 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7353494.stm. Retrieved May 12, 2010. 

Further reading

  • Sakr Abu Fakhr (Autumn, 2000). "Voices from the Golan". Journal of Palestine Studies 29 (4): 5–36. doi:10.1525/jps.2000.29.4.02p00787. 
  • Bashar Tarabieh (May - Aug., 1995). "Education, Control and Resistance in the Golan Heights". Middle East Report (194/195, Odds against Peace): 43–47. 
  • Shmuel Shamai (1990). "Critical Sociology of Education Theory in Practice: The Druze Education in the Golan". British Journal of Sociology of Education 11 (4): 449–463. doi:10.1080/0142569900110406. 
  • R. Scott Kennedy (Winter, 1984). "The Druze of the Golan: A Case of Non-Violent Resistance". Journal of Palestine Studies 13 (2): 48–6. doi:10.1525/jps.1984.13.2.00p0005b. 
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