Rimal
Encyclopedia
Rimal or Remal (meaning "sands" in Arabic
) is a district in Gaza
located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from the city center. Situated along the coastline, it has been considered the most prosperous neighborhood in Gaza. The main street that runs through Gaza, Omar Mukhtar Street
runs northwest-southeast in the district and the main coastal road, Ahmad Orabi/Rasheed Street northeast-southwest. Rimal is divided into southern and northern halves.
era, even after the population of Maioumas had been converted to Christianity by Imperial decree and the Pagan sanctuaries destroyed by Porphyry of Gaza
.The coastline of Gaza consisted mostly of sand dunes around the bustling Port of Gaza up until the mid-20th century. In the 1930s and 1940s, foreign missionary institutions financed the establishment of a residential neighborhood along the coast. This new district became known as Rimal ("Sand" or "Beach") and today covers most of Gaza City's coastline and much of the area between the coastline and the Old City. Most of the buildings were detached houses built in Europe
an style. After the neighborhood's construction, the center of commercial activity shifted from the Old City to Rimal.
Stores in this posh neighborhood stock upmarket goods including facial scrubs, skin-whitening sunscreen, frozen seafood, and low-fat yogurt.Residents shop at the Gaza Mall
and dine at the upscale Roots Club
restaurant.
of 2006-07, unidentified gunmen killed three sons, ages 3 to 9, of Baha Balousha, an intelligence officer with Fatah in the upscale Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City in a drive-by shooting
. One of Balousha's bodyguards was also killed.
beach club, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
, the main al-Shifa Hospital
, the Palestinian Legislative Council
, and a number of foreign government offices, four hotels, and all of the city's well-known restaurants. The Midan Jundi
(Soldier's Square), dedicated to an indigenous Arab soldier who died fighting in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
, is located in Rimal along with the Palestine Liberation Organization
flag shop. The port of Gaza is in the Rimal district and home to the Palestinian Naval Police force.
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
) is a district in Gaza
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,...
located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from the city center. Situated along the coastline, it has been considered the most prosperous neighborhood in Gaza. The main street that runs through Gaza, Omar Mukhtar Street
Omar Mukhtar Street
Omar Mukhtar Street is Gaza City's main street, running from Palestine Square to the Port of Gaza in the Rimal district, separating the Old City's al-Daraj and Zaytoun quarters. Gaza's hotel strip is a part of Omar Mukhtar Street and most of Gaza's most important buildings are located along the...
runs northwest-southeast in the district and the main coastal road, Ahmad Orabi/Rasheed Street northeast-southwest. Rimal is divided into southern and northern halves.
History
Rimal was built on the ancient port city of Gaza called Maioumas. The intense rivalry between Christian Gaza and Pagan Maioumas continued throughout the ByzantineByzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
era, even after the population of Maioumas had been converted to Christianity by Imperial decree and the Pagan sanctuaries destroyed by Porphyry of Gaza
Porphyry of Gaza
Saint Porphyry , Bishop of Gaza 395–420, known from the account in his Life for Christianizing the recalcitrant pagan city of Gaza, and demolishing its temples.Porphyry of Gaza is known to us only from the vivid biography by Mark the Deacon...
.The coastline of Gaza consisted mostly of sand dunes around the bustling Port of Gaza up until the mid-20th century. In the 1930s and 1940s, foreign missionary institutions financed the establishment of a residential neighborhood along the coast. This new district became known as Rimal ("Sand" or "Beach") and today covers most of Gaza City's coastline and much of the area between the coastline and the Old City. Most of the buildings were detached houses built in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an style. After the neighborhood's construction, the center of commercial activity shifted from the Old City to Rimal.
Stores in this posh neighborhood stock upmarket goods including facial scrubs, skin-whitening sunscreen, frozen seafood, and low-fat yogurt.Residents shop at the Gaza Mall
Gaza Mall
The Gaza Mall is a shopping mall that opened in Gaza in July of 2010.The fully air-conditioned, modern, indoor shopping venue in the upscale Rimal neighborhood of Gaza extends over 19,000 sq. ft. on two floors, the second floor forms a balcony around a spacious atrium...
and dine at the upscale Roots Club
Roots Club
Roots Club is an upscale restaurant and catering hall in Gaza. Restaurant reviewers expect the restaurant to bring "a new era of hospitality and dining experience" to Gazans.The club is located on Cairo Street in the Gaza district of Rimal...
restaurant.
Fatah–Hamas conflict
During the Fatah–Hamas conflictFatah–Hamas conflict
The Fatah–Hamas conflict , also referred to as the Palestinian Civil War , and the Conflict of Brothers , i.e...
of 2006-07, unidentified gunmen killed three sons, ages 3 to 9, of Baha Balousha, an intelligence officer with Fatah in the upscale Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City in a drive-by shooting
Drive-by shooting
A drive-by shooting is a form of hit-and-run tactic, a personal attack carried out by an individual or individuals from a moving or momentarily stopped vehicle without use of headlights to avoid being noticed. It often results in bystanders being shot instead of, or as well as, the intended target...
. One of Balousha's bodyguards was also killed.
Landmarks
Rimal contains the Palestinian Presidential Palace, the Governor's Palace, the Gaza Mall, the Roots Club, the United NationsUnited 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...
beach club, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights is an independent Palestinian human rights organization based in Gaza City, founded and directed by Raji Sourani...
, the main al-Shifa Hospital
Al-Shifa Hospital
Al-Shifa Hospital is the largest medical complex and central hospital of Gaza, located in the district of North Rimal. The current director of the hospital is Khaled Hassan.-History:...
, the Palestinian Legislative Council
Palestinian Legislative Council
The Palestinian Legislative Council, the legislature of the Palestinian Authority, is a unicameral body with 132 members, elected from 16 electoral districts in the West Bank and Gaza...
, and a number of foreign government offices, four hotels, and all of the city's well-known restaurants. The Midan Jundi
Soldier's Square
Soldier's Square or Square of the Unknown Soldier is a city square in Gaza City, situated along Omar Mukhtar Street in the Rimal district...
(Soldier's Square), dedicated to an indigenous Arab soldier who died fighting in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
1948 Arab-Israeli War
The 1948 Arab–Israeli War, known to Israelis as the War of Independence or War of Liberation The war commenced after the termination of the British Mandate for Palestine and the creation of an independent Israel at midnight on 14 May 1948 when, following a period of civil war, Arab armies invaded...
, is located in Rimal along with the Palestine Liberation Organization
Palestine Liberation Organization
The Palestine Liberation Organization is a political and paramilitary organization which was created in 1964. It is recognized as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people" by the United Nations and over 100 states with which it holds diplomatic relations, and has enjoyed...
flag shop. The port of Gaza is in the Rimal district and home to the Palestinian Naval Police force.