Born in Jerusalem in 1955, where he still resides. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Birzeit University (1980), a Master’s degree (1988), and a Ph.D. in Oriental Studies and Archaeology from the University of Tübingen in Germany (1991). He has served as an Associate Professor in the Department of History and Archaeology at Birzeit University since 1991, where he has also held several administrative positions. Additionally, he was Co-Director of Riwaq – Centre for Architectural Conservation (1994–2010), and Director of the Islamic Museum at Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Jerusalem (1980–1984).
He has published numerous books and articles in the fields of history, archaeology, architectural history, and cultural heritage in general, with a particular focus on the history of Jerusalem and Hebron. His most recent books include:
Jerusalem in the Mamluk Period: History and Architecture (Jerusalem: Welfare Association, 2024);
The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem: The Oldest Church in Palestine (Beirut and Ramallah: Institute for Palestine Studies, 2022);
Lifta – A People’s Record: History, Cultural Heritage, and Struggle (Beirut and Ramallah: Institute for Palestine Studies, 2021);
The Maghrebis in Jerusalem (Rabat: Bayt Mal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency, 2021);
The Jewish and Moroccan Quarters in the Old City of Jerusalem: History and Fate Between Destruction and Judaization (Beirut and Ramallah: Institute for Palestine Studies, 2019);
Jerusalem in Israeli Historical Writings (Rabat: Bayt Mal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Publications, 2019)
