I’m working on a poem inspired by Palestinian’s brave resistance to the Zionist regime, and I’m eager to learn some symbolisms in order to express my and your feelings in an accurate and abstract way. I had learnt about the history of Islamic world before, albeit incomplete and not exactly thorough, so I have some basic knowledge on conflicts happened in Morden Age Palestine.

Here are the questions that I want to ask y’all:

  1. The River of Jordan is also known as al-Urdunn in Arabic. Is there any story behind this name or the river itself?
  2. I’ve learnt that Mount Nabi Yunis is the highest point in the West Bank. Is it true? Its name of course speak out its religious significance, but I would like to know whether the locals will go for a pilgrimage to the place or held any sort of festival around it.
  3. Besides Mount Nabi Yunis, are there any other mountain ranges (or the one that the Mount resides in) or mountains that held significance in political, cultural, or religious sense?
  4. Ramallah means the Allah’s Height. This name seems to be intimidating as one of the most sacred city, that is Jerusalem, is under the control of Palestinian Authority (at least the eastern part in de jure sense), and its significance could not have out shadowed Mecca and Medina. What’s the history behind this name?
  5. Gaza City means priced city, and in Ancient Egyptian Ghazzat, means fierce (which I learnt it recently). May I ask you to help me to verify whether these information are true?
  6. The Mediterranean Sea is called al-Mutawasit. I’ve heard it been pronounced as “al-Mu-ta-wa-si-tu”, is it the correct pronunciation? And is there any meaning behind the name of it?
  7. Are there any more politically, culturally, or religiously significant sites (other than Al-Aqsa Mosque) or symbols for Palestinians, especially on their struggles against Zionism?
  8. Not related to Arabic, is the meaning of the name of Israel capital, Tel Aviv. It means “Old New Land” right? Is there any Arabic name for the city?
  9. May you recommend me a great source on the history of Modern Age Palestine, especially after the establishment of Israel regime until the end of the Second Intifada?

Any additional advices are welcome!