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The
history of the Nashashibi family in Jerusalem reverts to AD 1469
when the forefather of the family Naser El-Deen Mohammad El-Nashashibi
was appointed by the Memluk Sultan Qatbay “Guardian of the Two Holy
Mosques”; a high post next to the Sultan’s deputy. The two Mosques
are the Aqsa in Jerusalem and the Ibrahimi (Abraham) in Hebron.
Naser
El-Deen was a general in the Memluk army who led many victorious
campaigns against African territories. He served thereafter as a
Treasurer in the Memluk palace in Alexandria until he came to
Jerusalem where he held his post for 19 years. Naser El-Deen settled
in Jerusalem after he retired and his offspring have been living in
the city until now.
One
of his accomplishments was making an accurate accounting system for
the revenue of the Holy Places. Another was building a beautiful
arcade in the Aqsa Mosque yard, which still stands (1998).
One
of his grandsons, El-Hassan, migrated to Damascus where he settled
and founded the Hassany family.
During the Ottoman and Memluk reigns the Nashashibis lived in
Jerusalem as landlords and merchants. They made a good fortune and
had considerable influence in Palestine.
During the Ottoman reign Rashid El-Nashashibi was a member for
Jerusalem in the Majles Maboothan in Istanbul.
Around the end of the World War I, General Jamal Pasha, the Turkish
ruler of the Levant, ordered the inhabitants of Jerusalem to
evacuate the city. But, as they refused, he exiled the leaders of
the city of Anatolia, among who were some members of the Nashashibi
family. Ali El-Nashashibi, a young physician with the Turkish Army
and a founder of the Pan Arab Al Qahtany Society, was hanged by the
Turkish Army because he was an active member of a nationalist
organization fighting for national and political rights.
During the British mandate the Nashashibis held important public and
administrative posts. Ragheb El-Nashashibi was the Mayor of
Jerusalem for several years. In 1951, he was appointed by King
Abdullah of Jordan as “Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques” and
Custodian of Holy Places.
The
Nashashibis sent many of their children to Europe for higher
education to return as teachers, physicians, engineers, lawyers and
writers. Isa’af El-Nashashibi was a prominent orator and writer, and
he was a member of the Arab Literal Council of Damascus.
During the Jordanian reign, the Nashashibis held many important
posts as ministers, directors, members of the Municipal Board and
the Chamber of Commerce and they had leading activities in scouting,
sporting, cultural and charity associations.
More
recently, two members of the Nashashibi family became members of the
Palestine National Council (PNC): Nabila Ibrahim, the first female
physician in the family and Momahed Zuhdi, Minister of Finance in
the Palestine National Authority (PNA).
Some
members of the family are living now in Jordan as businessmen and
professionals. Others are working in the Gulf States. A few family
members are living in Europe and the USA as researchers, engineers,
physicians and businessmen. But the majority are still living in
Jerusalem where they own properties in the Old and New City.
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