Rushdi al-Shawa
Encyclopedia
Rushdi Sa'id Shawwa (b.1889-December 5, 1965) was the mayor of Gaza
from 1939 to 1952. He was born in his father’s house (former mayor Sa'id al-Shawa) in the al-Turukman section of the Shuja'iyya
neighborhood. His mother, Hafiza Sha’ath from Beersheba
, came from a major tribe in that area. Her brother, Tajuddin Sha'ath, was the head of the tribe and a former mayor of Beersheba.
in 1899 for education. He studied law and finished in 1914. He came to Gaza for the summer and was supposed to return to Istanbul in September-October for his official graduation, but was unable to as the University of Istanbul was destroyed during World War I
. To get a degree, Rushdi instead went to Damascus
, enrolled in the Syrian University (now the University of Damascus) and graduated in one year. In 1925, he returned to Palestine
which was under British control and took up residence in the city of Jaffa
.
During his time as mayor of Gaza, Rushdi started rebuilding the infrastructure of the city. He started building asphalt roads, dug Bir as-Safa (as-Safa water well)—the first water well equipped with a pump and engine in Gaza—and started distributing water to houses through a water pipe system. He also started the first sewage draining system and provided electricity as well as many other services for the citizens of Gaza. He built the as-Shuja'iyya School, az-Zaytoon School, Salahuddin School, and was the head of the founding committee that built the Palestine High School..
When the British Mandate over Palestine ended on May 15, 1948, Rushdi and along with other Arab mayors in Palestine were awarded the Order of the British Empire Medallion (OBE) by King George VI. Rushdi was elected mayor of Gaza more than once, serving for four terms. When British troops left Palestine on May 15, Rushdi was the last mayor elected for Gaza. Since 1946 no elections were been held for the municipality of Gaza. Rushdi flew the flag of Palestine over the municipal headquarters (as-Saraya) in Gaza upon the departure of the last British soldier from the city that same day.
After Rushdi’s term ended in 1951, the Egypt
ian authority did not run any elections for the Municipality of Gaza. They started appointing mayors and members of the council. When Israel occupied the Gaza Strip
in 1956, Rushdi accepted the responsibility of the Municipality of Gaza and helped saving the people’s lives, secured food, security, and other needs of Gaza City's residents and the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip
as well. His term as mayor ended on March 7, 1957.
Rushdi died in London
on December 5, 1965 and his body transferred to Gaza by the United Nations
via Beirut
. In Gaza, a formal and national funeral for was held for him on December 9, 1965.
Gaza
Gaza , also referred to as Gaza City, is a Palestinian city in the Gaza Strip, with a population of about 450,000, making it the largest city in the Palestinian territories.Inhabited since at least the 15th century BC,...
from 1939 to 1952. He was born in his father’s house (former mayor Sa'id al-Shawa) in the al-Turukman section of the Shuja'iyya
Shuja'iyya
Shuja'iyya is a district of the Palestinian city of Gaza east of the city center, situated on a hill, located across the main Salah ad-Din Road that runs north-south throughout the Gaza Strip. It boasts Gaza's largest market which specializes mostly in clothes and household goods. Midan Shuja'iyya...
neighborhood. His mother, Hafiza Sha’ath from Beersheba
Beersheba
Beersheba is the largest city in the Negev desert of southern Israel. Often referred to as the "Capital of the Negev", it is the seventh-largest city in Israel with a population of 194,300....
, came from a major tribe in that area. Her brother, Tajuddin Sha'ath, was the head of the tribe and a former mayor of Beersheba.
Biography
Rushdi was sent to IstanbulIstanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
in 1899 for education. He studied law and finished in 1914. He came to Gaza for the summer and was supposed to return to Istanbul in September-October for his official graduation, but was unable to as the University of Istanbul was destroyed during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. To get a degree, Rushdi instead went to Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, enrolled in the Syrian University (now the University of Damascus) and graduated in one year. In 1925, he returned to Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
which was under British control and took up residence in the city of Jaffa
Jaffa
Jaffa is an ancient port city believed to be one of the oldest in the world. Jaffa was incorporated with Tel Aviv creating the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Jaffa is famous for its association with the biblical story of the prophet Jonah.-Etymology:...
.
During his time as mayor of Gaza, Rushdi started rebuilding the infrastructure of the city. He started building asphalt roads, dug Bir as-Safa (as-Safa water well)—the first water well equipped with a pump and engine in Gaza—and started distributing water to houses through a water pipe system. He also started the first sewage draining system and provided electricity as well as many other services for the citizens of Gaza. He built the as-Shuja'iyya School, az-Zaytoon School, Salahuddin School, and was the head of the founding committee that built the Palestine High School..
When the British Mandate over Palestine ended on May 15, 1948, Rushdi and along with other Arab mayors in Palestine were awarded the Order of the British Empire Medallion (OBE) by King George VI. Rushdi was elected mayor of Gaza more than once, serving for four terms. When British troops left Palestine on May 15, Rushdi was the last mayor elected for Gaza. Since 1946 no elections were been held for the municipality of Gaza. Rushdi flew the flag of Palestine over the municipal headquarters (as-Saraya) in Gaza upon the departure of the last British soldier from the city that same day.
After Rushdi’s term ended in 1951, the Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian authority did not run any elections for the Municipality of Gaza. They started appointing mayors and members of the council. When Israel occupied the Gaza Strip
Gaza Strip
thumb|Gaza city skylineThe Gaza Strip lies on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Strip borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the south, east and north. It is about long, and between 6 and 12 kilometres wide, with a total area of...
in 1956, Rushdi accepted the responsibility of the Municipality of Gaza and helped saving the people’s lives, secured food, security, and other needs of Gaza City's residents and the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip
Gaza Strip
thumb|Gaza city skylineThe Gaza Strip lies on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Strip borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the south, east and north. It is about long, and between 6 and 12 kilometres wide, with a total area of...
as well. His term as mayor ended on March 7, 1957.
Rushdi died in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on December 5, 1965 and his body transferred to Gaza by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
via Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
. In Gaza, a formal and national funeral for was held for him on December 9, 1965.