Umm al-Zaytoun
Village in Suwayda, Syria
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Umm al-Zaytoun (Arabic: أم الزيتون, also called Umm az-Zeitoun) is a village in the Suwayda Governorate in southwestern Syria. It is situated along the southeastern edge of the Lajat lava plateau, northwest of the city of Suwayda. Umm al-Zaytoun had a population of 1,913 in the 2004 census.[1] Its inhabitants are predominantly Druze, with a Sunni Muslim Bedouin minority.[2]
Umm al-Zaytoun
أم الزيتون Umm az-Zeitoun | |
|---|---|
Village | |
  Umm al-Zaytoun Location in Syria | |
| Coordinates: 32°54′21″N 36°36′20″E | |
| PAL | 300/257 |
| Country |  Syria |
| Governorate | Suwayda |
| District | Shahba |
| Subdistrict | Shahba |
| Population (2004)[1] | |
• Total | 1,913 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
History
Umm al-Zaytoun had been abandoned sometime in the middle Ottoman era, but was settled by Druze prior to 1810. It was one of the earliest Druze settlements in the Lejah plateau.[3] The village was controlled by the Bani Amer clan.[4]
In 1838, it was noted as a village, situated "the Luhf, east of the Lejah, i.e. in Wady el-Liwa".[5]
In 1839, Ibrahim Pasha, the Egyptian governor of Syria, sent a conscription expedition of 100 cavalry to subdue the Druze of Hauran. The latter engaged and destroyed Ibrahim Pasha's troops at Umm al-Zaytun.[6] The Egyptian army withdrew from Syria in 1841 and Ottoman rule was restored. Umm al-Zaytun joined the Hauran Druze Rebellion of 1910 was subdued by Ottoman troops commanded by Badr Khan Bey.[7]
Archaeology
Roman Empire-era structures are located in Umm al-Zaytoun.[8] In particular are the ruins of a religious building with a large stone facade and a room with niches suited for statues.[8] The inscription found at the building date to 282 CE and mention and describe the building as a "sacred kalybe".[8] This type of building is relatively unique in Syria, being found only in Umm al-Zaytun and nearby Shaqqa and Hayyat.[8]
Religious buildings
- Maqam Sulayman ibn Dawud (Druze Shrine)