As one strolls down the streets of al-Qaryoun in the Old City of Nablus the traces of a rich cultural mosaic intertwined with the region’s exquisite landscapes give us the impression of an area largely marked by a myriad of sub-cultures which have left their mark in more than one way.
The etymology of the appellation—Qarayoun—finds its roots in the Latin thesaurus signifying a “waterway” in reference to the abundant water springs found in the region.
Qarayoun had been home to dozens of Palestinian families born and raised in Nablus. Its outstanding al-Tinah and al-Satoun mosques stand as vivid witnesses of its Islamic character.
As time has passed by the smells of soap emanating from Kanaan al-Nablulsi Tuqan and Abdul Hadi factories have survived the unending attempts by the Israeli colonizers to deracinate an area deeply anchored in its geo-historical idiosyncrasy and strongly attached to the legacy of its forebears.
Dating back to the Ottoman era Qaryoun’s buildings have stood so tall as they thrived the misfortunes of history and geography.
True the stamps of damage wrought by Israel’s invasion of the village in 2002 which took away the lives of several Palestinian families are still as visible as the dark birds in the blue sky. Yet Qarayoun is standing as the archetypal bearer of Islamic heritage in the Israeli-occupied region.
