Hussein al-Husayni

Hussein Bey al-Husayni (Arabic: حسين الحسيني; died 1918) was a Palestinian politician who served as mayor of Jerusalem from 1909 to 1917, the last years of Ottoman rule over the city.

[1] Under Hussein's leadership, the city went through high development; al-Husayni initiated the paving of roads, which ensured cleaner streets, and started construction of a sewage network, which was partly financed by Jewish communities from outside Palestine.

In an interview with the Egyptian newspaper Al-Iqdam in March 1914, he stressed the distinction between Zionism, which did not threaten Palestine, and he believed to be the real risk to the local Arab community from the Jewish settlers movement; and the subsequent necessity to prevent land sales to Jews.

[dubious – discuss] Al-Husayni also served as Director of the Red Crescent Society, established in 1915 and promoted Arab-Jewish understanding.

[clarification needed] After a brief term by Aref al-Dajani, Hussein's brother Musa al-Husayni became mayor of Jerusalem.

al-Husayni under the white flag of surrender, 9 December 1917 at 8 a.m.