Ziyarat al-Nabi Shu'ayb


Ziyarat al-Nabi Shu'ayb is a Druze festival called Ziyara celebrated between 25 and 28 April which is officially recognized in Israel as a public holiday.

Holiday

The Druze generally only celebrate one holiday, Eid al-Adha. The Druze community in Israel under the leadership of Sheikh Amin Tarif, however, has endowed this period with a special status, deeming the Ziyara a festive day by law. Workers are allowed to take a break from work without infringing their workers' rights. Schools operating under the Druze education system are closed for the period, while Druze soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces are also given the period as a vacation. The whole community, not just religious Druze in Israel, celebrates this Ziyara.

Celebrations

The celebration starts on 25 April and concludes on 28 April, with many religious leaders from all the religions in Israel, and also political leaders, coming to congratulate the Israeli Druze community during their festivities at the Maqam al-Nabi Shu'ayb. Religious leaders or sheikhs from Mount Carmel, the Galilee and the Golan Heights take the opportunity to discuss religious issues.

Visits of Druze from Syria, Lebanon and Jordan during Ziyaras