The Jerusalemite Researcher and Writer Mahmoud Shuqair
Date
2025-01
Authors
Azeez Al-’Asa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Al-Quds University
Abstract
The writer, politician, and thinker Mahmoud Shuqair was born in Jabal al-Mukaber, Jerusalem, in 1941. It was here, in Jabal al-Mukaber, that he grew up, spending his childhood playing football—sometimes with a seven-layered skin ball, other times with a simple strip ball, and occasionally with a proper soccer ball. Shuqair also enjoyed the traditional game of jalul (marbles), where children competed to win each other’s marbles. Another favorite was the game of bulbul, which involved spinning a small wooden top with a metal point. Tied with a hemp string to the child's little finger, the top was thrown into a circle, and the goal was to knock the opponent’s bulbul out of the circle, leaving them among the losers. This paper will provide a comprehensive overview of Shuqair’s life, literary contributions, and cultural impact of his work. We will cover the details of his early life, education, and evolution as a storyteller, highlighting his prolific output across various literary genres, including short stories, novels, children's literature, and biographies. In addition, the paper underscores Shuqair’s deep connection to Jerusalem, evident in his works that capture the city's cultural, historical, and political essence.