Three Muslim men sitting at the city center in Nazareth. (The Land/Kali Kotoski)

Photos of the Day: Hitten, Nazareth and Beit Jann

Morning at Nabi Shu’ayb, a shrine at the site that members of the Druze and Islamic faiths revere as the tomb of the prophet Jethro. The site, staffed by five Druze caretakers, is the site of an annual Druze pilgrimage every April.

Morning at Nabi Shu’ayb, a shrine at the site that members of the Druze and Islamic faiths revere as the tomb of the prophet Jethro. The site, staffed by five Druze caretakers, is the site of an annual Druze pilgrimage every April. Photo: Evan Simko-Bednarski

The view from Nabi Shu’ayb. In July of 1187, Muslim forces under the command of Saladin defeated European crusaders in the nearby valley in the Battle of Hattin.

The view from Nabi Shu’ayb. In July of 1187, Muslim forces under the command of Saladin defeated European crusaders in the nearby valley in the Battle of Hattin. Photo: Evan Simko-Bednarski

Druze holy site. Photo: Saman Malik

Looking out into the courtyard of Nabi Shu’ayb. Photo: Saman Malik

Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation. Photo: Saman Malik.

Pilgrims gather inside the Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation in Nazareth. It’s also known as the Church of St. Gabriel and sits atop the spring where the Greek Orthodox faith believes that the Angel Gabriel informed the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Jesus Christ. Photo: Saman Malik.

Photos of the deceased sit next to an image of the Virgin Mary at the Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation.

Photos of the deceased sit next to an image of the Virgin Mary at the Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation. Photo: Kali Kotoski

Candle lighting at the Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation.

Candle lighting at the Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation. Photo: Kali Kotoski

A Russian pilgrim kisses the feet of an image of the Virgin Mary at Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation.

A Russian pilgrim kisses the feet of an image of the Virgin Mary at Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation. Photo: Kali Kotoski

A member of the Church of St. Gabriel hands a bottle of holy water from the Nazareth Spring to a worshipper.

A member of the Church of St. Gabriel hands a bottle of holy water, from the Nazareth Spring, to a worshiper. Photo: Evan Simko-Bednarski

A worshipper lights a candle at the Church of St. Gabriel. The church is built atop the spring where the Greek Orthodox faith holds that the Angel Gabriel informed the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Jesus Christ.

A worshiper lights a candle inside the sanctuary at the Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation. Photo: Evan Simko-Bednarski

The facade of the Greek Orthodox Church in Nazareth Photo: Saman Malik

Nazareth. Olive seller. Photo Credit: Saman Malik

An Olive seller in Nazareth. Photo: Saman Malik

An empty table in the marketplace in Nazareth. Faded posters announce the candidates for the city's most recent mayoral election. After suspicion of fraud prompted the re-casting of votes, Ali Salam beat long-time incumbent Ramez Jaraisi.

An empty table in the marketplace in Nazareth. Faded posters announce the candidates for the city’s most recent mayoral election. After suspicion of fraud prompted the re-casting of votes, Ali Salam beat long-time incumbent Ramez Jaraisi. Photo: Evan Simko-Bednarski

A pro-Muslim sign near the Roman Catholic Church of Annunciation in Nazareth. Photo: Kali Kotoski

Tourists take photos near the main doors of the Roman Catholic Church of the Annunciation. The church is built on the site of a crusader church where Roman Catholics hold that the Angel Gabriel came to the Virgin Mary in her home.

Tourists take photos near the main doors of the Roman Catholic Church of the Annunciation. The church is built on the site of a crusader church where Roman Catholics hold that the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary in her home. Photo: Evan Simko-Bednarski

Stained glass at the Church of the Annunciation. Built in 1969 by an Israeli construction firm, the church has a distinct modern style.

Stained glass at the Church of the Annunciation. Built in 1969 by an Israeli construction firm, the church has a distinct modern style. Photo: Evan Simko-Bednarski

A church of annunciation. Photo: Indrani Basu

A worshiper at inside the Catholic Church of Annuciation in Nazareth. Photo: Indrani Basu

Druze village of Beit Jann. Photo: Evan Simko-Bednarski

Panorama of the Druze village of Beit Jann. Photo: Evan Simko-Bednarski

The Land reporter Indrani Basu on a peak outside of Beit Jann.

The Land reporter Indrani Basu on a peak outside of Beit Jann. Photo: Evan Simko-Bednarski

 

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