Sheikh Moafaq Tarif was born in Julis in 1963. He is a descendent of the Tarif family which has been leading the Druze community in Israel since 1753. The Druze faith was founded in Egypt in the 11th Century. The Druze people reside primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel. The community has 125,300 followers in Israel as of 2010.

Sheikh Moafaq Tarif inherited his role as the leader of the Druze community in Israel from his late grandfather Sheikh Amin Tarif in October 1993. Sheikh Amin Tarif was held among the Druze community internationally as the preeminent spiritual authority in the Druze world. In 2003, whilst inheriting the Spirtual leadership, Sheikh Moafaq took responsibility for the community’s holy sites in Israel.

In 2010, the University of Haifa awarded him the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, honoris causa for recognition of his contribution to strengthening equality and his commitment to his country.

Shaykh Moafaq Tarif graduated the Al-Baida post-secondary school for Druze studies in Lebanon and has a B.A. in Law.

[September 2016]

Source: Conference of World Religions