Center Journals

The local history of Mount Lebanon is a cultural phenomenon that is only paralleled by the history of coastal Arab cities such as Tripoli, Beirut, and saida, and other inland cities such as Baalbek. In other words, it is a result of socio-economic developments. This history has dealt with cities that are, by their very nature, geo-polar cities, That is, it played economic and political roles in relation to its surroundings, and is distinguished by its demographic, social, and climatic characteristics, to the extent that summer marketing was one of the goals of local historians. The process of chronicling these towns has been characterised by common features, the first of which is their affiliation with the positivist school, which focuses on working with documents after critiquing them, and drawing on some auxiliary human sciences such as geography and archaeology. It also draws on Arab heritage in its treatment of family structures and their clannishness. After describing the historical method used, the geographical reality was described, the chronological patterns used, and the socio-economic, institutional, and educational history were examined. The research concluded with a descriptive-analytical summary of the characteristics of this history.

This Article presents the new methodology for writing history that is issued from the problems of the present this methodology is based on a series of statistics and figures that cover a long-term period. This kind of history is focused on general factors and problems, far from specific events that occurred in local and specific circumstances. This methodology is in Solidarity with the other specializations in Human and social sciences and constitutes a reference for them in the long term. This methodology supposed the use of other sciences such as statistics, Geography, computer sciences, Sociology. This Article is also analyzing the works and research of new Lebanese historians who had applies this methodology. Research on history of demography, history of Waqf institutions, traditions and customs, taxes, the role of women in history had introduced a new trend in historical research. This new methodology is supposed to bring more objectivity in the writing of Lebanese History and less conflicts between historians.

This article examines the rule of the Turkish Pasha Abu Muhammad Hussein over the province of Tunis (1591-1596) through three archival documents preserved in the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul. The documents reveal Hussein Pasha's purchase of a luxurious property in Beşiktaş, which includes two floors, a garden, and a stable, reflecting his desire to return to the centre of the Caliphate. The documents also illustrate the inclination of Turkish Pashas to settle near the tomb of Hayreddin Barbarossa and the Sinan Pasha Mosque. Furthermore, the article highlights the financial capability of the Pashas of the Western Odjak to acquire seaside palaces despite the economic crises that afflicted the capital of the Caliphate and the Tunisian Eyalet at that time.

This study evaluates the works of the prominent British Orientalist Hamilton Gibb, who contributed to Islamic studies in the 20th century, particularly through his book Studies on the Civilization of Islam and his research on the Crusades. The study approaches his works first from an Orientalist perspective, which examines the intellectual backgrounds that shaped Western perceptions of Islam, and second, from a historical perspective, which analyses his methodology in treating Islamic texts as living material, combining textual investigation with historical analysis. The study focuses on how he handled the dichotomy of "Western" and "Islamic" narratives and seeks to re-evaluate his standing not only as a historian but as an influential actor who contributed to shaping the West's understanding of Islamic history, while offering a critical reading of his works and methodology.