Hara (Tunis)

Hara, meaning "quarter" in the Tunisian Arabic dialect,[1] was derived from the four Jewish families who founded the neighborhood according to local folklore.

[4] According to legend, the Jews requested the intervention of Sidi Mahrez to convince the Bey to allow them to settle inside the Medina and protect themselves.

In the meantime, the Jews implored Sidi Mahrez to play along and bring the dagger to the Bey, then to ask, as a reward, for the admission of hara (four) Jewish families inside the Medina.

[4] In order to choose the best location for the new quarter, the Bey asked Sidi Mahrez to throw his stick from the top of the minaret in the direction of the suburb of Bab Souika.

The Jewish community of Tunis resided in the Hara from the 13th century until they began moving from the Medina to La Goulette during the French Protectorate of Tunisia.