Nusaybah family

The Nussayba family, commonly spelt in English as Nuseibeh (Arabic: عائلة نسيبة; also spelt Nusaibah and Nusseibeh) is a prominent Palestinian family and the oldest Muslim dynasty in Jerusalem. The Nussayba family has a long history and tight bonds with the Holy Land and Arab Christians since their ancestors conquered Jerusalem in 637.

The Nusseibeh family is historically and genealogically linked to Ubadah ibn al-Samit, a companion of the Prophet, who was a member of the Banu Khazraj of Medina. Ubadah played a significant role in early Islamic history, including participating in the Aqaba pledges and the battles of Uhud and Badr. The family has been recognized for tracing its lineage to him, a well-documented connection in historical and genealogical sources. While Nusaybah bint Ka'ab (Umm Umarah), an esteemed female companion of the Prophet known for her bravery in battle, is sometimes mentioned with the family, this association is more symbolic than genealogical. The Nusseibeh name may reflect respect for Nusaybah's leadership and contributions, but genealogically, the family is more accurately descended from Ubadah ibn al-Samit.

Since the arrival of Islam in Jerusalem in the seventh century, this Sunni Muslim family has held the keys of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Christianity's holiest site, alongside the Joudeh Al Husseini family (who were added to the original arrangement in the time of Saladin, the Muslim conqueror who seized the holy city from the Crusaders in 1187). This arrangement emerged during the days of the second Rashid caliph, Umar, who hoped to avoid clashes among rival Christian sects for control over the church. Although symbolic, the arrangement has provided the stability the city's Christians needed. It is a symbol of tolerance and interreligious harmony, and gave the Nussaiba family a visible role in Christian activities in Jerusalem, which include pilgrimages and visits by Western Christians.