Bani Na'im

Infobox Palestinian Authority muni
name=Bani Na'im


imgsize=
caption=
arname=بني نعيم
meaning=
founded=
type=muna
typefrom=
altOffSp=
altUnoSp=
governorate=hb
latd=31|latm=30|lats=57.39|latNS=N
longd=35 |longm=09|longs=50.35|longEW=E
population=18,900
popyear=2006
area=71,620
areakm=71.6
mayor=Rashid Umar Suleiman

Bani Na'im ( _ar. بني نعيم) is a Palestinian town in the Hebron Governorate located 8km east of Hebron. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Bani Na'im had a population of 18,900 inhabitants in mid-year 2006. [ [http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/populati/pop11.aspx Projected Mid -Year Population for Hebron Governorate by Locality 2004- 2006] Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics] It has a higher elevation than most localities in the area with an altitude of 951 meters.

Bani Na'im's land area consists of 71,624 dunams. The proportion of arable land is 11.3% of the total land area. Pastures take up 81% of the land while the built-up area makes up the remainder. [ [http://www.palestineremembered.com/GeoPoints/Bani_Na_im_828/Article_2406.html Bani Naim: Size and Terrain] ar icon]

History

Bani Na'im was known as "Brekke" in pre-Ancient Roman times. According to local tradition, a Byzantine church (which is currently a mosque) houses the tomb of the prophet Lot. [ [http://www.planetware.com/israel/bani-naim-isr-wb-hbsurbn.htm Bani Naim] PlanetWare Incorporate.] The tombs of his daughters are on an opposite hill nearby. According to local tradition, Bani Na'im is the place where the prophet Abraham, after the departure of the angels, saw the smoke of Sodom and Gomorrah rising as the smoke of a furnace. [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/22097/22097-h/22097-h.htm#page290 Byeways in Palestine] James Finn. p.290]

The modern town was built on the spot of the Roman village Kfar Brosha or Caphor Bercha and known after the Islamic conquest as Kafr Breik and then later as Bani Naim. The town receives its name from the Arab tribe of Bani Na'im also known as the Nuamites, who settled there and in other areas in southern Palestine. [ [http://www.palestineremembered.com/GeoPoints/Bani_Na_im_828/Article_2406.html Ancient History and Name] ar icon]

In July 1938, Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni led 1,000 of his irregular fighters against 3,000 British soldiers. In January 1939, the British bombed the suburbs of the town. The residents of the town housed Husayni's fighters and provided them with weapons. The battle lasted ten hours and dozens of Husayni's forces were killed. [ [http://www.palestineremembered.com/GeoPoints/Bani_Na_im_828/Article_2424.html Bani Naim: Abdel Kader Husseini, the battle of Bani Naim] ar icon]

During the municipality council elections in June 2005, Hamas won 23.5% of the seats while the remainder went to Independents and Fatah. [ [http://www.palestineremembered.com/GeoPoints/Bani_Na_im_828/Article_2423.html Bani Naim: Results of the elections for municipal Bani Naim 2005] ar icon]

Government

Bani Na'im was established a village council in 1971. After Bani Na'im was transferred to Area A, giving the Palestinian National Authority full control of the town, it established a municipal council on May 20, 1997. The first council was formed from the old members of the previous village council. Today, the current number of municipal employees is 18 and the council’s members are 7. [http://www.baninaim.org/BaniNaim%20Area.html Bani Na'im Area] Bani Naim Charitable Society.]

References