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Amin Tarif

TARIF, AMIN (c. 1898–1993), Druze leader. Tarif was the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel and the president of its High Court. He was born in Julis, a Druze village in the Galilee, and became a sheikh in 1928 after his father's death. He became head of the Druze community after the *War of Independence, head of the Druze religious council in 1957, and head of the Druze court of appeals in 1963. He was an outstanding spiritual leader and a fine personal example for his community and Israeli society at large. He was awarded the Israel Prize in 1990 for his special contribution to national and social life.


Sources: Encyclopaedia Judaica. © 2007 The Gale Group. All Rights Reserved.