Personal Info
- Country of residence: Portugal
Information
Born in Nablus in 1943
He studied at Al-Najah, Al-Khalidiyah, Adel Zuaiter, Al-Jahiz and Al-Salahiyah schools.
He received his Bachelor of Laws degree from Beirut Arab University in 1971.
He worked as an employee at the Arab Bank, Ras Beirut branch, from 1969-1972.
Member of the sub-committee of the Bar Association in Nablus.
He was arrested by Israeli forces in 1981 as part of a Fatah network and sentenced by an Israeli military court to six months of actual imprisonment.
Head of the Jerusalem Bar Association (Head of the West Bank Bar Association)
Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization since 1997.
Mayor of Nablus 1994 - 2004 and October 2012 - until August 2015.
Ghassan Walid Shaka'a was born in Nablus on February 10, 1943. He hails from one of the city's prominent families, a descendant of a patriotic and militant family from Jabal al-Nar (Mount of Fire). His uncle, Bassam Shaka'a, was the former mayor of Nablus and survived an assassination attempt that resulted in the amputation of his legs. His brother was also assassinated by masked men in Nablus.
Ghassan completed his schooling at An-Najah, Al-Khalidiyah, Adel Zu'aiter, Al-Jahiz, and Al-Salahiyah schools. He then moved to Beirut, where he enrolled at Beirut Arab University, graduating with a law degree in 1971.
While in Lebanon, he worked as an employee at the Arab Bank's Ras Beirut branch. Upon
returning to Palestine, he became a member of the Nablus Bar Association's subcommittee.
Ghassan Shaka'a was elected president of the Palestinian Bar Association three consecutive times between 1986 and 1994.
He then began his political career... His activism began with his joining the ranks of the Fatah movement in the late 1960s. He was arrested in 1979 and detained for over a year on charges of belonging to Fatah.
After the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority, Ghassan Shaka'a (Abu al-Walid) was appointed Mayor of Nablus in October 1994, a position he held until 2004.
He was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 1996, representing Nablus.
Shaka'a headed the Palestinian Union of Local Authorities from 2002 to 2004 and was re-elected in 2013.
He was appointed to the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1997 and served as head of the PLO's Department of National and International Relations.
In October 2012, Shaka'a (Abu al-Walid) led the Independent List bloc and ran in the municipal elections, winning several seats. The Nablus Municipal Council elected Ghassan Shaka'a once again as its mayor.
Lawyer Ghassan Shaka'a worked tirelessly to serve the people, never turning away anyone who sought his help. A truly patriotic and generous man, he was one of Nablus's most dedicated figures, providing his city with every possible service during his tenure as mayor to improve and develop its conditions.
Abu al-Walid was a true Palestinian, a Nablus native through and through, and a prominent Palestinian figure. He was a staunch advocate for Palestinian national rights and a courageous man who dedicated himself to serving the people of his city, Nablus, and the Palestinian people wherever they resided. He worked diligently to amplify the voice of Palestine to the world through the relationships he cultivated with dozens of municipalities and civil society organizations globally.
Abu al-Walid Shaka'a was a close companion of the martyrs Yasser Arafat and Abu Jihad.
President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, mourned the passing of Ghassan Shakaa, the former mayor of Nablus, who died on Thursday evening after a life full of struggle. His Excellency stated that with Shakaa's death, Palestine has lost a dedicated fighter and a towering national figure. He praised the virtues of the deceased, who devoted his life to the struggle, serving his people, and defending their rights. He prayed to God Almighty to have mercy on the deceased, grant him paradise, and give his family and loved ones patience and solace.
Dr. Saeb Erekat, Secretary-General of the PLO Executive Committee, mourned the passing of the leader and fighter Ghassan Shakaa (Abu al-Walid), a member of the PLO Executive Committee, and offered his deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to his family and the entire Shakaa family.
The Fatah movement also mourned with profound sorrow the loss of Ghassan Shakaa. In a statement issued by its Commission of Information, Culture, and Intellectual Mobilization, the movement said that Ghassan Shakaa was and will remain a model of struggle, dedication, sacrifice, and patience. The movement extends its deepest condolences to the Palestinian people and his family, and prays that God Almighty will have mercy on him, grant him paradise, and give his family and loved ones patience and solace.
The Palestinian National Unity Government, headed by Prime Minister Dr. Rami Hamdallah, mourns with deep sorrow the passing of PLO Executive Committee member, the fighter Ghassan Shakaa, who passed away after a life full of giving, struggle, and striving to achieve the Palestinian dream and establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, within the June 4th borders, in accordance with international law. The National Unity Government extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and to the Palestinian people.
The Popular Struggle Front mourned the passing of the great national leader, lawyer Ghassan Shaka'a (Abu al-Walid), member of the PLO Executive Committee and former mayor of Nablus. The Front's Secretary-General, Dr. Ahmed Majdalani, emphasized the deep patriotism of the deceased, his unwavering defense of his people's just national cause, and his steadfast commitment to national unity and the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people until they achieve their goals, foremost among them the right of return, self-determination, freedom, independence, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Dr. Majdalani stated that the Palestinian people have lost a courageous patriot who participated in the various stages of the Palestinian revolution and was a renowned national figure, known for his competence and dedication, and a fierce defender of the rights and national principles of the Palestinian people.
The Palestinian Ministry of Information mourned the passing of the activist and lawyer Ghassan Shakaa (Abu al-Walid), a member of the PLO Executive Committee, who passed away after a life full of contributions and a well-known struggle. The Ministry affirmed that Shakaa's departure is a heavy loss for Palestine, for his family, and for our people in Jabal al-Nar.
Ghassan Shaka'a (Abu al-Walid), peace be upon your pure soul. You were a national leader, pure of heart, hand, and tongue, and your memory will remain eternal.
Abu al-Walid was a leader and a landmark of Nablus, the Mountain of Fire, and a symbol of the nation. He was beloved, generous, dignified, and esteemed.
May God have mercy on the great national leader, the lawyer Ghassan Walid Shaka'a (Abu al-Walid), and grant him paradise.
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