Elias Shoufani

Quick Facts: Who was Elias Shoufani?

Subject:

Elias Shoufani

Known for:

Palestinian scholar and historian known for his studies on Islamic history and Israeli affairs.

Born:

1932

Died:

2013-01-26

Century / Era:

1932s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Elias Shoufani (Arabic: إلياس شوفاني; 1932–26 January 2013) was a Palestinian author and historian whose studies were mostly about the history of Islam and the Israeli affairs. He was one of the leading Arab scholars in the latter topic. He was a member of the Fatah movement until 1983 when he joined the dissident group in Damascus, becoming part of the Fatah Uprising. Shoufani was born in Mi'ilya in the Galilee in 1932. His father, Shukri, was a community leader in Mi'ilya which was a Christian Arab village.

Career & Major Achievements

Elias had two brothers, Naim and Muhanna. The family owned a flour mill in the Wadi al-Qarn stream. Their home in Mi'ilya was demolished by the Israel Defense Forces in 1948. The Israeli soldiers killed Nimr, the dog of the family, who was trying to protect the house. Elias and his family had to leave Mi'ilya after this incident on 30 October 1948.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Shoufani graduated from the Teachers' Institute in Jaffa in 1949. He received a degree from the Hebrew University in 1962. He obtained a master's degree in 1965 and a PhD in Islamic studies in 1968 from Princeton University. Shoufani worked as a teacher from 1949 to 1951. He worked at the Georgetown University and then at the University of Maryland, College Park as a faculty member between 1967 and 1972.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1932: Birth of Elias Shoufani — Palestinian scholar and historian known for his studies on Islamic history and Israeli affairs.
2. 1948: 1948 Milestone — Their home in Mi'ilya was demolished by the Israel Defense Forces in 1948.
3. 1949: 1949 Milestone — Shoufani graduated from the Teachers' Institute in Jaffa in 1949.
4. 1962: 1962 Milestone — He received a degree from the Hebrew University in 1962.
5. 1965: 1965 Milestone — He obtained a master's degree in 1965 and a PhD in Islamic studies in 1968 from Princeton University.
6. 1967: 1967 Milestone — He worked at the Georgetown University and then at the University of Maryland, College Park as a faculty member between 1967 and 1972.
7. 1983: 1983 Milestone — He was a member of the Fatah movement until 1983 when he joined the dissident group in Damascus, becoming part of the Fatah Uprising.
8. 2013 (2013-01-26): Passing & Historical Legacy — Elias Shoufani passed away on 2013-01-26, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Elias Shoufani

True or False: “Elias Shoufani's family home in Mi'ilya was destroyed by the Israel Defense Forces before he left the area.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text explicitly states that their home in Mi'ilya was demolished by the Israel Defense Forces in 1948.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Elias Shoufani