AlJazzar

AlJazzar, also known as Ahmad Pasha al-Jazzar, was an 18th-century Ottoman military officer and governor in the Levant. Of Albanian origin, he rose through Ottoman imperial service and became the governor (wali) of the Sidon Eyalet, a coastal province that roughly corresponds to parts of present-day Lebanon and southern Israel/Palestine. The surname al-Jazzar, meaning “the butcher” in Arabic, is closely associated with his reputation and nickname, though the exact origin of the epithet is debated.

As ruler of Sidon, AlJazzar pursued a program of fortification, administrative centralization, and fiscal reform. He reinforced coastal defenses, expanded urban infrastructure, and promoted agricultural production to bolster revenue for the Ottoman state. His efforts included construction and renovation projects in Acre, a major port city, where he is also remembered for patronage of architecture such as the Al-Jazzar Mosque, a prominent example of Ottoman-era architecture completed during his tenure.

AlJazzar is best known for his role in resisting Napoleon Bonaparte’s invasion of the Levant. In 1799, during Napoleon’s siege of Acre, AlJazzar commanded Ottoman and local forces in a protracted defense that ultimately compelled the French to withdraw, marking a significant setback for Napoleon’s campaign in the region and highlighting the durability of Ottoman authority in the area at the time.

He died in 1804, while still associated with the governance of the Levant. AlJazzar’s legacy is tied to the defense of Acre, architectural patronage, and the broader efforts to consolidate Ottoman control over the coastal provinces in the late 18th century. The Al-Jazzar Mosque remains his most enduring monument.