Bios

Palestinian Jerusalemites have made myriad and diverse contributions to their city’s history and community fabric. Here we profile some of those people—past and present; famous and obscure—whose lives and work and stories have helped shape the larger Jerusalem Story over time.
Jumana El Husseini

A Jerusalem artist in exile whose predominant themes revolved around depicting the city of her birth

Samia Halaby

A pioneer of abstract painting whose art has been exhibited in museums, galleries, and art fairs throughout the world

Mahmoud Shukair

A prolific novelist who was exiled from Jerusalem for almost two decades, yet says “Jerusalem is a part of me and I am part of Jerusalem.”

Find alphabetically by first letter of last name

Zahira Kamal

Educator, warrior for women’s rights, founder of women’s organizations, and trailblazing political leader and activist

Representation Hussein al-Khalidi

A physician and politician from Jerusalem who played a central role in the Palestinian nationalist movement and left a copious record of it all.

Representation Yusuf Diya’ al-Khalidi

A prominent Ottoman politician who served as mayor of Jerusalem and Jerusalem representative and was a prolific writer, talented linguist, and scholar

Representation Anwar al-Khatib al-Tamimi

A lifelong public servant who served as mayor and governor of Jerusalem, and held the latter post when East Jerusalem was occupied in 1967

Representation Ruhi al-Khatib

Jerusalemite who dedicated his life to public service and strengthening the city, including as mayor 1957–67; popularly known as the “Amin of Jerusalem”