Said al-Shawa

Hajj Sa'id al-Shawwa (1868–October 1930) was a Palestinian Arab politician and the first mayor of Gaza, serving from 1906 to 1917. and his father Mohammed Khalil Al-Shawwa served as the chairman of the Municipality of Gaza when it was founded in 1893. Before entering politics, Sa'id was involved in a career as a grain exporter.

Mayor of Gaza In 1904, he was appointed a member of the municipal council and in 1906, he became the first Mayor of Gaza. During his reign as mayor he built a hospital, several mosques and schools in Gaza, and is credited with introducing the modern plow to the city in 1911. Al-Shawa developed close relationships with the Ottoman Army during World War I and was awarded honorary decorations by the Ottoman authorities. His sympathy with the Ottomans during the war caused the victorious British Army to depose him in 1917. as well as Beersheba, owning a total of roughly 50,000 dunams. In 1926–27, he took charge in the restoration of the Great Mosque of Gaza after it was mostly destroyed by British bombardment during the World War.

Dār al-Shawwā (Ash-Shawwa House)

Al-Shawwa's home in Gaza City was included in an 1887 map created by the missionary Georg Gatt. It was also registered in the Ottoman Census of 1905 with a total of 13 household members. The entry states: "Ḥājj Saʿīd Efendi al-Shawwā, born in Gaza, real estate owner (emlak sahibi), born 1283/1866-7, of middle height, brown eyes, brown skin colour, of good health."

According to UNESCO, Al-Shawwa's home was destroyed in the Israel-Hamas War.