NAJRAN

'Najran' (formerly 'Aba as Sa'ud') (Arabic: نجران) is a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia near the frontier with Yemen. It is the capital of Najran Province. Designated a New town by the Saudi Government in 1965, Najran is one of the fastest-growing cities in the kingdom, its population having risen from 47,500 in (1974) and 90,983 in 1992 to 246,880 in 2004 (census figures}. Saudi Arabia annexed 'Asir, Najran, and Jizan from Yemen in 1934. The population belongs mostly to the ancient tribe of Yam.
Najran city is famous for its archeological significance. It once was the home to an old Christian community that came into conflict with the Jewish rulers of Yemen, which ended in their being massacred. Later there was a religious discussion between them and the Islamic prophet Muhammad, which was inconclusive but ended with signing a treaty between the two parties. Most of the people of the region converted later to Islam.
It is said that Najran history could be traced back to 4000 years ago and that the Romans one day had occupied it.
At Alokhdood, carvings from those days and human bones can be seen. A museum displays among other items, a bronze lion head.
The modern and cosmpolitan Palestinian city of Ramallah was a 95% majority Arab Christian city for many centuries until the 1960's when most Arab Christians immigrated to America fleeing the Israeli occupation of their land and homes. Most of the Palestinian Christian Arabs from Ramallah trace their "Ghassaniya" tribal roots back to the ancient Yemeni city of Najran. These Christians Arabs of Ramallah are known, until today, as the Haddadeens.

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See also

See also

★ Greater Yemen

★ Hadith of Mubahela