'Abud

Infobox Palestinian Authority muni
name=`Ābūd


imgsize=
caption=
arname=عابود
meaning=
founded=
type=mund
typefrom=
altOffSp='Abud
altUnoSp=Abboud
governorate=rb
latd=32|latm=00|lats=54.06|latNS=N
longd=35 |longm=04|longs=05.28|longEW=E
population=2,500
popyear=2006
area=15,000
areakm=15
mayor=Ilyas Azar

`Ābūd or Abboud ( _ar. عابود) is a Palestinian village in the Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate in the central West Bank, about 22 kilometers northwest of Ramallah and 30 kilometers north of Jerusalem. Other nearby towns include al-Lubban to the northeast and Bani Zeid to the northwest. Abud's population is mostly Christian. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the village had a population of approximately 2,500 inhabitants in mid-year 2006. [ [http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/populati/pop07.aspx Projected Mid -Year Population for Ramallah & Al Bireh Governorate by Locality 2004- 2006] Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.] Near the village are a large number of natural springs which are sources for the Yarkon River.

History

Abud is mentioned in geographic writings from the 13th century by al-Maqrizi, who describes it as a "small village near Jerusalem". It was also mentioned by Ottoman "dafters" as being a part of Nahiya Ramla. It was later incorporated into the area controlled by the Bani Zeid tribe along with Deir Ghassaneh and Qarawat Bani Zeid among others. [http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/sbf/Books/LA47/47359HT.pdf Archaeological excavations near Abboud] (1997) Taha, Hamdan. Palestinian Department of Antiquities. pp.359-363.]

aint Barbara's and al-'Abudiyah Church

Adjacent to Abud lies an ancient church named after Saint Barbara. The church, located on a hill due west of the village, was erected in the Byzantine Period. By the church, ancient catacombs have been uncovered whose dating is uncertain. One of the burial caves is especially magnificent, and a door post decorated with carvings of wreaths, grape vines and grape clusters stands at its entrance. Palestinian Christians visit the church annually on December 17 to celebrate the festival of St. Barbara's Day. On May 31, 2003, the Israel Defense Forces mistakenly demolished the church not knowing of its historical importance. [http://www.poica.org/editor/case_studies/view.php?recordID=326 Uprooting of the Olive trees in 'Aboud village] Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem. 2003-12-10.]

Al-Abudiyah Church or Saint Mary's Church lies in the center of Abud and was presumably founded during the Crusader period of rule in Palestine with the name "Casal Santa Maria". However, an Aramaic inscription on a vault in the church indicates that it was founded centuries before the arrival of Crusader, but fell into disrepair. According to the inscription it was rebuilt in 1058 CE during the Fatimid era. In the 18th century an additional wall and several windows and doors were constructed. Restorations occurred in 1997, with the replacement of cement plaster in the vaulting of the church with traditional mortar, cleaning stones inside the church, repaving the atrium and building a reinforcing northern wall.

Demonstrations against barrier

The Israeli West Bank barrier is being built adjacent to the village, on lands belonging to it. Israeli authorities had previously uprooted over 35 olive trees in the village in 2003. For this reason, since November 18, 2005, weekly demonstrations against the fence have been held in the village. Participants in the demonstrations, which take place on Fridays, include residents of the village, radical left-wing activists (mostly members of Anarchists Against the Wall), and activists from foreign countries. The demonstrations in the village are organized by the village council and is part of a larger struggle against the barrier. Similar demonstrations, but which draw larger media attention and are more violent in nature, are held in Bil'in.

References