Mukhtar
A mukhtar is a village chief in many Arab countries and Cyprus, dating back from Ottoman era: "an old institution that goes back to the time of the Ottoman rule". According to Amir S. Cheshin, Bill Hutman and Avi Melamed "for centuries were the central figures in Arab societies". They "were not restricted to Muslim communities. Christian and Jewish communities in the Arab world also had mukhtars."
Quoting Tore Björgo: "The mukhtar was, among other things, responsible for collecting taxes and ensuring that law and order was prevailing in his village".
