The region of Filastin(Gaza)/Israel has been conquered and ruled by various empires and dynasties throughout history, including Islamic invaders. Below listed Islamic Invaders/Rulers ruled over Israel and its neighboring land but no one considered nor mentioned anywhere people of Gaza as Palestine. Here’s a brief overview:
- Byzantines: Continued control until the Muslim conquests.
- Rashidun Caliphate: Conquered the region in 638 CE.
- Umayyad Caliphate: Controlled the region from 661 to 750 CE.
- Abbasid Caliphate: Took over from the Umayyads, maintaining control until the Crusader period.
- Fatimid Caliphate: Briefly controlled the region from 969 to 1071 CE.
- Mamluks: Took control after the fall of the Crusader states, ruling from 1291 to 1517 CE.
- Ottomans: Controlled the region from 1517 to 1917 CE.
All these Islamic rulers ruled over 1000 years, but most focused on unifying the Muslim community, Converting others by force and spreading Islam. The administration was more about managing territories and establishing Islamic governance rather than creating nation-states. As most of these areas are Non Muslim, majority are Christians and Jews.
Historical references to Palestine/Palestinians:
1. The term “Palestine” originates from the ancient Philistines(Ancient Near Eastern people, likely of Aegean origin), not Arab or Islamic sources.
2. Early Islamic texts refer to the region as Jund Filastin or Filastin, but not as a distinct national entity.
3. The 13th-century Arab historian Ibn Kathir mentioned Filastin as a geographic region, but not a separate people.
The concept of “Palestinians” as a distinct national identity developed much later, particularly in the 20th century. During the early Islamic conquests, people were often identified by their religion, tribe, or city rather than by a national identity.