Druze Community Gathers for Annual Pilgrimage at Mount Meron Shrine
The village of Hurfeish is preparing to host thousands of Druze visitors for the annual pilgrimage to the shrine of Nabi Sabalan, located on Mount Zevul. The event, scheduled for Thursday, brings together the Druze community from across Israel for a spiritual gathering.
Despite the proximity to the Lebanese border, where sounds of explosions are occasionally heard, residents of Hurfeish have grown accustomed to the noise. Sheikh Nimr Amer, a resident and member of the Nabi Sabalan committee, noted, "I think we've gotten used to it. If I don't hear the echoes of shelling every couple of hours, I feel like something is missing." He described the shrine's elevated location, about 800 meters above sea level, offering panoramic views of the Meron Mountains to the east, South Lebanon to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, and the Peki'in Mountains to the south.
Amer explained that the entire village is involved in preparing for the visitors, with men, women, and children participating in welcoming and assisting guests. Religious ceremonies, including prayers and hymns, will take place on Wednesday evening, followed by the arrival of pilgrims on Thursday. The visitors are expected to come from all over the country, fostering an atmosphere of brotherhood, respect, and holiness.
Nabi Sabalan, whose full name is Abu Al-Khair Salama bin Abd Al-Wahab Al-Samri, is considered the fourth of five prophets in the Druze faith. He is symbolized by the color blue on the Druze flag, representing potential and willpower. According to tradition, he was a righteous man from the Kingdom of Israel who faced persecution for his beliefs, forcing him to flee and eventually settle in the Hurfeish area after a perilous journey. A miracle is said to have occurred when he reached the upper part of the Kaziv stream, saving him from his pursuers. He then found refuge in a small cave on the mountain, which is now the most sacred and ancient part of the shrine. He later moved to the Jabal al-Druze in Syria, subsisting on carobs, honey, and wild pears. In Aramaic, 'Saba' means 'the great teacher,' and he is considered the third most important figure after Nabi Shuaib and Al-Khader.
