- Marjayoun
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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. It is located on the west side of the Rift Valley Bank just across from the ancient regional capital, Caesarea Philippi, which was located at the foot of Mt. Hermon on the east side of the Rift Valley. It is not to be confused with the Banias Springs at Caesarea Philippi.
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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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.
History
On June 10, 1179, during the Battle of Marj Ayyun, an Ayyubid army commanded by Saladin defeated a Crusader army led by King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem on June 10, 1179. The Christian king narrowly escaped being captured in the rout.
During the Lebanese civil war the town was shelled by Palestinian militias.
It also was the headquarters 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 the Israeli Air Force (IAF) at Joub Jannine. The attack on the convoy of approximately 759 vehicles containing Lebanese police, army, civilians, and one Associated Press journalist is known as the Marjayoun convoy incident.
People from Marjayoun
- Dr. Richard Jabara, 1920–1967, founded several hospitals from Tripoli in Lebanon to Saudi Arabia- Philanthropist.
- James Jabara, an American pilot and hero of the Korean War, was born to a family of Lebanese Americans originating from Marjayoun.
- Michael E. DeBakey, world renowned American surgeon, innovator, medical educator, and international medical statesman was born to a family of Lebanese Americans originating in Marjayoun.
- Dr. Walid Gholmieh who is the director of the Le Conservatoire libanais national supérieur de musique was born in Marjeyoun.
- Issam Mahfouz, son of the poet Abdul-Massih Mahfouz, was the author of more than 45 books, and a nationally renowned playwright. He also wrote for renown Lebanese daily Al-Nahar News paper. His most famous books included the plays of Al Dictator and AL-Zinzanakht.[3]
- Brigitte Gabriel, although most Marjeyounis do not share her views, a Lebanese American journalist, supposedly born in Marjeyoun, author, and activist.[2][1] Gabriel says that Islam keeps countries backward,[3][4] and that it teaches terrorism.[5][6][7] In order to promote such views, Gabriel founded the American Congress For Truth and ACT! for America so that citizens may "fearlessly speak out in defense of America, Israel and Western civilization."[8]
Hospitals
Marjayoun is home to a regional government hospital as well as a Lebanese Red Cross First Aid Center.[4]
Photos of Marjayoun
External links
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 - August 10, 2006
- ^ http://www.aljadid.com/features/Issam%20Mahfouz%20(1939-2006)%20Recalling%20Poet%20%20Playwright%20Critic%20as%20the%20Attractive%20Modernist.html
- ^ Our Centers
Coordinates: 33°21′39.94″N 35°35′31.45″E / 33.3610944°N 35.5920694°E
Categories:- Israeli–Lebanese conflict
- Populated places in Lebanon
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