Encyclopedia of Islam

Further reading: Ahmed Nizar Hamzeh, In the Path 

of Hizbullah (Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University 

Press, 2004); Naim Qassim, Hizbullah: The Story from 

Within (London: Saqi Books, 2005); Magnus Ranstorp, 

Hizb’Allah in Lebanon: The Politics of the Western Hostage 

Crisis (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1996); Amal Saad-

Ghorayeb, Hizbullah: Politics & Religion (London: Pluto 

Press, 2002).

holidays

The two most important holidays observed by 

Muslims are the i

d

 

al

-a

dha

 (Feast of the Sacrifice), 

held at the conclusion of the 

haJJ

 during the 12th 

month of the Muslim 

calendar

 (Dhu al-Hijja), 

and the i

d

 

al

-F

itr

 (Feast of Breaking the Fast), 

held at the end of r

amadan

 during the first days 

of the 10th month (Shawwal). These holidays are 

observed with special communal prayers in the 

morning hours, 

Feasting

, gatherings of family and