Mukhtar

A mukhtar (Arabic: مختار‎ "chosen one";[1] Greek: μουχτάρης) is a village chief in many Arab countries and Cyprus, dating back from Ottoman era: "an old institution that goes back to the time of the Ottoman rule". [1] According to Amir S. Cheshin, Bill Hutman and Avi Melamed "for centuries were the central figures in Arab societies".[2] They "were not restricted to Muslim communities. Christian and Jewish communities in the Arab world also had mukhtars."[2]

For the elected village head in the modern Republic of Turkey, see Muhtar (title).
For other uses, see Mukhtar (disambiguation).

Quoting Tore Björgo: "The mukhtar was, among other things, responsible for collecting taxes and ensuring that law and order was prevailing in his village".[3]

See also

References
  1. Amara, Muhammad (1999). Politics and Sociolinguistic Reflexes: Palestinian Border Villages. p. 251.
  2. Cheshin, Amir S.; Hutman, Bill; Melamed, Avi (2009). Separate and Unequal. Harvard University Press. p. 73.
  3. Björgo, Tore (1987). Conspiracy Rhetoric in Arab Politics: The Palestinian Case. p. 46.
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