Umm al-Zaytoun (, 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.General Census of Population and Housing 2004. Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Al-Suwayda Governorate. Its inhabitants are predominantly Druze, with a Sunni Muslim Bedouin minority.
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.Firro 1992, p. 175 The village was controlled by the Bani Amer clan.Firro 1992, p. 183
In 1838, it was noted as a village, situated "the Luhf, east of the Lejah, i.e. in Wady el-Liwa".Robinson and Smith, 1841, vol 3, 2nd appendix, p. 155
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.Socin, 1876, p. 420 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.Murphy, 1921, p. 18
Archaeology Roman Empire-era structures are located in Umm al-Zaytoun.Butcher, 2003, p. 361 In particular are the ruins of a religious building with a large stone facade and a room with niches suited for statues. The inscription found at the building date to 282 CE and mention and describe the building as a "sacred kalybe". This type of building is relatively unique in Syria, being found only in Umm al-Zaytun and nearby Shaqqa and Hayyat.
Religious buildings Maqam Sulayman ibn Dawud (Druze Shrine)
See also Druze in Syria
References
Bibliography