Metawali

Metawali refers to the Shia Muslim community with a significant presence in North Lebanon (Kesrawan and Batroun) and in the south, in the Beqaa and the coastal towns south of Beirut.

According to Sir Richard Francis Burton, the Metawali are of Persian descent and generally follow the tenets of the Shia faith; however, their worship practices include pilgrimage to the ruins of a temple honouring Ishtar (Ashtaroth) at Apheca where they address their vows to the Sayyidat al-Kabirah, ("the Great Lady"). As such, they are sometimes accused by Orthodox Muslims of heresy.

History

The jurisdiction of the Ottoman Empire was merely nominal in the Lebanon. Baalbek in the 18th century was really under the control of the Metawali.

Seven Metawali villages that were included within the boundaries of the British Mandate of Palestine were depopulated during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and repopulated with European Jews.

See also

• Qadas

References