Lebanese

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If you thought that Lebanon’s only claim to fame was its world-famous hummus, halloumi, falafel and tabouleh, it is time to up your information quotient about the land! Home to world’s most loved cuisine, Middle East’s most glamorous city, Beirut and a string of beach resorts (things that will immediately put you into a holiday mood), Lebanon has also been home to fiery orators, fine entertainers, world-class diplomats and politicians, and, exceptionally talented sportsmen, musicians, artistes, innovators and many more. That’s right! We bet you did not know that the “Matrix” star Keanu Reeves was from Lebanon? Or that George Clooney’s lawyer wife Amal Clooney too called Lebanon her home? Or that the writer of “Broken Wings” Gibran Khalil Gibran was born in this Middle Eastern country? With so many important names to its claim, Lebanon stands as a mine of famous men and women. To know more about famous Lebanese people, delve deep into their biographies and learn all about their timeline, trivia, and interesting facts.
Vote For Your Favourite Lebanese Personality
 1 
Amal Clooney
(Lebanese-British Barrister Specialising in International Law and Human Rights & the Wife of Actor George Clooney)
Amal Clooney
66
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: February 3, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon

Amal Clooney is a Lebanese-British barrister, specializing in human rights and international law. Her clients include popular and influential personalities like Yulia Tymoshenko, Nadia Murad, and Julian Assange. Her work and philanthropic activities gained media coverage after her wedding to actor George Clooney. The Clooneys are well-known philanthropists and are founders of the Clooney Foundation for Justice.

 2 
Mia Khalifa
(Media Personality, Former Pornographic Actress & Webcam Model)
Mia Khalifa
223
Birthdate: February 10, 1993
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon
 3 
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
(Essayist and Mathematical Statistician Best Known for His Books: ‘The Black Swan’ and ‘Antifragile’)
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
6
Birthdate: 1960 AD
Birthplace: Amioun, Lebanon
Lebanese-American scholar and statistician Nassim Nicholas Taleb is known for his work on risk management through uncertainty and probability. His five-volume essay Incerto included his bestselling book The Black Swan. Named to Forbes’s Most Influential Management Gurus list, he is the co-editor-in-chief of the academic journal Risk and Decision Analysis.
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 4 
Serj Tankian
(Singer-songwriter)
Serj Tankian
15
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: August 21, 1967
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon

Serj Tankian is an Armenian-American record producer, singer, and songwriter. Tankian is credited with co-founding the popular band System of a Down. Renowned for his wide vocal range and unusual delivery, Serj Tankian is widely considered one of the best heavy metal vocalists of all time. Also a political activist, Tankian co-founded Axis of Justice, a non-profit organization.

 5 
Khalil Gibran
19
Birthdate: January 6, 1883
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Bsharri, Lebanon
Died: April 10, 1931

Lebanese author and poet Khalil Gibran is best remembered for his bestselling works The Prophet and Broken Wings. One of the leaders of the Mahjar movement of Arabic literature, he specialized in incorporating mythological and mystical symbols in his works and was inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche and William Blake.

 6 
Carlos Ghosn
(Former Chairman and CEO of the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance)
Carlos Ghosn
12
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: March 9, 1954
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil

Carlos Ghosn is a French–Lebanese–Brazilian businessman who served as the CEO of Michelin North America. He also served as the chairman and CEO of Nissan and Renault. In 1999, he saved Nissan from near bankruptcy and turned around its fortune. In 2018, he was arrested in Japan for misusing Nissan's assets. He dramatically escaped from the custody is currently an internationally wanted fugitive.

 7 
Nancy Ajram
(Singer)
Nancy Ajram
13
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: May 16, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Achrafieh

Nancy Ajram is a Lebanese singer and businesswoman. She began performing as a child and was just 15 when she released her debut album. As a young woman, she became known as a sex symbol. She has sold millions of records worldwide and is one of the best-selling Middle Eastern music artists. She has numerous accolades to her name.

 8 
Fairuz
(One of the Most Famous Singers in the History of the Arab world)
Fairuz
10
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: November 21, 1934
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Jabal Alarz, Lebanon

Lebanese singer-actor Nuhad al-Haddad, better known by her stage name Fairouz, began her career with Radio Lebanon. Now considered a cultural icon of Lebanon, she soared to fame with her collaborations with the Rahbani Brothers and was married to Assi El Rahbani. Itab remains her best-known hit.

 9 
Maher Zain
(Singer-Songwriter Known for His Debut Album 'Thank You Allah')
Maher Zain
22
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: July 16, 1981
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Tripoli, Lebanon

Swedish singer Maher Zain had moved to Sweden from Lebanon with his family at 8. A qualified aeronautical engineer, he is now known for his fusion of Eastern and Western music and for the religious overtones in his songs. He has also worked with UNHCR to support Syrian refugees.

 10 
Haifa Wehbe
(Arabic Pop Singer and Actress)
Haifa Wehbe
4
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: March 10, 1972
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Mahrouna, Lebanon

One of the bestselling Arab music artists of her time, Lebanese-Egyptian singer Haifa Wehbe soared to fame with hits such as Touta. The 6-time Murex d’Or Award-winning artist has also starred in movies such as Dokkan Shehata and TV series such as Kalam Ala Warak and Maryam.

 11 
Fares Fares
5
Birthdate: April 29, 1973
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon
 12 
Rafic Hariri
(Prime Minister of Lebanon from 1992 to 1998 and from 2000 to 2004)
Rafic Hariri
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 1, 1944
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Sidon, Lebanon
Died: February 14, 2005
Former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri gained immense wealth through his construction business and became the world’s fourth-richest politician. His charitable initiatives included education projects in Lebanon. The unrest after his assassination in a car bomb explosion eventually led to the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon.
 13 
Michael Atiyah
(British-Lebanese Mathematician Who was the Co-Founder of 'Topological K-Theory')
Michael Atiyah
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: April 22, 1929
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: London, England, United Kingdom
Died: January 11, 2019

Recipient of Fields Medal and Abel Prize, British-Lebanese mathematician Michael Atiyah emerged as a leading figure in the UK mathematics during the latter half of the 20th century. He specialised in geometry and made remarkable contributions in the fields of geometry, theoretical physics, topology and global analysis, and is best known for proving the Atiyah–Singer index theorem with Isadore Singer.

 14 
Elie Saab
(Fashion Designer)
Elie Saab
4
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: July 4, 1964
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Beirut

Lebanese designer Elie Saab had started dressing up his sisters in scraps at age 10. Known for his ornate bridal couture, combining Western silhouettes and Middle-Eastern embellishments, he was the first non-Italian in the governing body of the Milan Fashion Week. He also ventured into interior design in Dubai.

 15 
Yasmine Al Massri
(Actress and Dancer Best Known for Her Role in the TV Series ‘Quantico’)
Yasmine Al Massri
5
Birthdate: November 21, 1978
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon
Born to an Egyptian mother and a Palestinian father in Lebanon, Yasmine Al Massri left to study multimedia in Paris at 20. A trained dancer, she later gained fame with the critically acclaimed Lebanese film Caramel and played twins in Quantico. She is also a human rights activist.
 16 
Nadine Nassib Njeim
(Actress and Miss Lebanon 2004)
Nadine Nassib Njeim
10
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: February 7, 1984
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon

Born to a Lebanese father and a Tunisian mother, Nadine Nassib Njeim was crowned Miss Lebanon 2004 and later represented Lebanon at the Miss Universe pageant. She exhibited her acting skills in series such as Samra. After being injured in the deadly 2020 Beirut explosion, she underwent a 6-hour surgery.

 17 
Rima Fakih
(Model)
Rima Fakih
2
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: September 22, 1985
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Srifa, Lebanon
 18 
Ardem Patapoutian
(Known for his work in characterizing the PIEZO1, PIEZO2, and TRPM8 receptors that detect pressure, menthol, and temperature)
Ardem Patapoutian
2
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: October 2, 1967
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon
 19 
Nadine Labaki
(First Female Arab Director to Be Nominated for an Oscar in the Category for Best Foreign Language Film)
Nadine Labaki
1
Birthdate: February 18, 1974
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Baabdat, Lebanon
 20 
Haaz Sleiman
(Film actor)
Haaz Sleiman
4
Birthdate: July 1, 1976
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon
 21 
Michael Malarkey
3
Birthdate: June 21, 1983
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon
 22 
Cyrine Abdelnour
(Lebanese Singer and Actress Known for Her Hit Single 'Law Bas Fe Aini')
Cyrine Abdelnour
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: February 21, 1977
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Beirut

Lebanese diva Cyrine Abdelnour made her mark in modelling working with fashion-designers like Zuhair Murad. She received the title Model of the World. She has acted in many Arabic television serials and films and won four Murex D'or awards as the best Lebanese actress. Her song Law Bas Fe Aini emerged as one of the most-popular Lebanese songs in 2006.   

 23 
Hassan Nasrallah
(Lebanese Military and Political Leader - 3rd Secretary-General of Hezbollah)
Hassan Nasrallah
13
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: August 31, 1960
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Bourj Hammoud

Hassan Nasrallah has been the Secretary-General of Hezbollah since 1992. The Lebanese politician was the son of a grocer in Beirut and was forced to flee when the civil war broke out. He later joined a Lebanese paramilitary group and then the Hezbollah movement. He is also known as al-Sayyid Hassan.

 24 
Sabah
(Music Icon from Lebanon and an Acclaimed Actress in Egyptian Movies)
Sabah
2
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: November 10, 1927
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Bdadoun, Lebanon
Died: November 26, 2014

Legendary Lebanese singer Sabah, nicknamed Shahruret-el Wadi, was one of the first international music icons from her country. She had not only performed at prestigious venues such as the Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, but was also a star of Egyptian movies such as El-Qalb Louh Wahid.

 25 
Brigitte Gabriel
(Lebanese-born American Activist Who Founded the Anti-Islam Organization 'ACT! for America')
Brigitte Gabriel
10
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: October 21, 1964
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Marjeyoun, Lebanon

Lebanese-American author and activist Brigitte Gabriel is known for her prominent anti-Muslim stance. She went through a troubled childhood in Lebanon, after her village was bombed by Muslim radicals. She lived in Israel as a refugee, before moving to the US and launching the anti-Islam organization ACT! for America.

 26 
Myriam Fares
(Lebanese Arabic Pop Singer, Dancer and Entertainer)
Myriam Fares
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: May 3, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Southern Lebanon

Lebanese singer, actor, and dancer Myriam Fares is regarded as the Queen of the Stage and is often compared to Shakira. A Christian star in the Arab world, she has faced cyber trolling in the past for her religious views. She is known to international audiences for her documentary Myriam Fares: The Journey.

 27 
Ragheb Alama
(Lebanese Singer, Dancer and Television Star)
Ragheb Alama
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: June 7, 1962
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Beirut

Lebanese singer and TV personality Ragheb Alama started his career with the TV talent show Studio El Fan. The Murex d'Or Award-winning artist is now one of the most popular Arab music artists of the world. A philanthropist, too, he launched the Saint George Schools to educate Arab children.

 28 
Najwa Karam
(Singer and Middle Eastern Pop-Icon Famous as 'The Sun Of Lebanese and Arabic Song')
Najwa Karam
3
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: February 26, 1966
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Zahlé

Singer-songwriter and fashion-icon Najwa Karam rose to prominence as a leading Lebanese singer and a Middle Eastern pop-icon with albums like Oyoun Qalbi and Nedmaneh. The latter won her a Murex d'Or award and several Rotana Records awards. Known for her unique style of blending traditional and contemporary Arabic music, Karam has appeared as a judge at Arabs Got Talent.

 29 
Edmond Safra
(Lebanese-Brazilian Banker )
Edmond Safra
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: August 6, 1932
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon
Died: December 3, 1999

Edmond Safra was a Lebanese Brazilian banker. His father was a prominent banker, and he began his career working at his father’s bank. He was hardworking, ambitious, and street-smart and started earning millions while still in his teens. He was also a major philanthropist. He died in an arson that attracted wide media interest.  

 30 
Ibrahim Maalouf
(Jazz Trumpeter & Composer Known for His Work in the Classical, Jazz, and Jazz-Rock Fusion Genres)
Ibrahim Maalouf
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: November 5, 1980
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon

Ibrahim Maalouf is a French-Lebanese composer and jazz trumpeter. In addition to his many studio albums, Maalouf is also known for his contribution as a composer for many movie soundtracks and symphonic orchestras. In 2014, he was honored at the French Music Awards with the prestigious Best World Music Artist award.

 31 
Amin Maalouf
(Lebanese-Born French Author and Journalist)
Amin Maalouf
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: February 25, 1949
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon

One of the greatest authors and journalists born in Lebanon, Amin Maalouf initially reported major political events around the world. He is known for his internationally bestselling French books, such as Samarkand and Balthasar's Odyssey. His novels usually have a historical setting, with war and migration as prominent themes.

 32 
Saad Hariri
(Former Prime Minister of Lebanon)
Saad Hariri
6
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: April 18, 1970
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Son of former Lebanese prime minister Rafic al-Hariri, Saad Hariri joined politics after his father was assassinated. After being educated in France and Saudi Arabia, Saad took over his father’s construction business and expanded into the telecom sector. The Future Movement member has also been Lebanon’s prime minister twice.

 33 
Ziad Rahbani
(Most Influential Lebanese Composer During the Civil War and Son of Legends 'Assi Rahbani' and 'Fairuz')
Ziad Rahbani
2
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 1, 1956
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Antelias, Lebanon

Lebanese composer and pianist Ziad Rahbani was no stranger to music as a child, being the son of legendary Lebanese musicians Assi Rahbani and Fairouz. Known for his tracks such as El Hilwa Di and Allamouni and his iconic album Bennesbeh Labokra Chou, he is a legend in his own right.

 34 
Wael Kfoury
(Lebanese Singer-Songwriter Known as 'The King of Romance' for His Aching Ballad Style)
Wael Kfoury
0
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: September 15, 1974
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Zahlé

Wael Kfoury is a legend in the Arab music scene and is known as The King of Romance for his soulful ballads. He soared to fame after winning the TV show Studio el Fan and later released chart-topping hits such as Ma Wa'adtak bi Njoum el Leyl and Meen Habeebi Ana.

 35 
Nicolas Hayek
(Entrepreneur)
Nicolas Hayek
0
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: February 19, 1928
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon
Died: June 28, 2010
 36 
Camille Chamoun
(2nd President of Lebanon (1952 - 1958))
Camille Chamoun
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: April 3, 1900
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Deir El Qamar, Lebanon
Died: August 7, 1987

Camille Chamoun served as President of Lebanon from September 23, 1952, to September 22, 1958, and later founded the National Liberal Party. He emerged as a prominent Christian leader during the 1958 Lebanon crisis. An attempt to overthrow his government in June 1958, amidst the crisis, was prevented after he appealed to the US leading to a US military intervention.  

 37 
Julia Boutros
(Lebanese Singer Known for Her Songs 'Ghabet Shams El Haq' and 'Wein el Malayeen')
Julia Boutros
0
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: April 1, 1968
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon

A singer, known for her patriotic songs, Julia Boutros is also the wife of former defense minister of Lebanon, Elias Bou Saab. She soared to fame with tracks such as Ghabet Shams El Haq and once donated the profits garnered from one of her tracks to the Lebanese victims of the Israel-Lebanon conflict.

 38 
Rula Ghani
(First Lady of Afghanistan (2014 - 2021))
Rula Ghani
12
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 1948 AD
Birthplace: Lebanon

Rula F. Saadah Ghani is the wife of Ashraf Ghani who served as fifth President of Afghanistan until his government was overthrown by the Taliban on August 15, 2021. The Ghani family fled from Afghanistan on the same day. Rula advocated for women’s rights as the First Lady and was named to the Time 100 list by Time magazine in 2015.

 39 
Elie Hobeika
(A Militia Commander in the Lebanese Forces During the Lebanese Civil War)
Elie Hobeika
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 22, 1956
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Baskinta, Lebanon
Died: January 24, 2002

Elie Hobeika gained notoriety for his ruthlessness and involvement in Sabra and Shatila massacre as commander of Lebanese Forces militia during Lebanese Civil War. He later served as president of Lebanese Forces until the January 1986 Lebanese Forces coup when he was ousted from the position. Thereafter he formed Promise Party and served two terms in the Parliament of Lebanon.

 40 
Rashīd Riḍā
(Sunni Islamic Scholar, Theologian, Reformer, and Revivalist)
Rashīd Riḍā
0
Birthdate: September 23, 1865
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Lebanon
Died: August 22, 1935
 41 
Nabih Berri
(Lebanese Politician and Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon)
Nabih Berri
6
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 28, 1938
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bo

A legendary figure of Lebanese politics, Nabih Berri was elected as the Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon for the 7th consecutive term in May 2022. He also heads the Lebanese Amal Movement as its president. He was a successful lawyer before joining politics and worked with the Court of Appeals.

 42 
Diana Haddad
(Lebanese Singer and One of the Best-Selling Arabic Pop Musicians in the Arab World)
Diana Haddad
1
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: October 1, 1976
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Southern Lebanon

Lebanese singer-actor Diana Haddad has been one of the most popular artists from the Arab pop world. Known for her versatility, the singer first soared to fame at age 16, when she appeared on the talent show Studio El Fan. Some of her greatest tracks include Ammanih, Mani Mani, and Ya Aibo.

 43 
Karl Wolf
(Musician, Singer, Songwriter)
Karl Wolf
1
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: April 18, 1979
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Beirut

Lebanese-Canadian musician Karl Wolf soared to fame with his cover version of Toto's Africa. Born to musician parents in Beirut, he moved to Sharjah and then to Montreal with his family. His hits include tracks such as Butterflies and collaborations such as Yalla Habibi. He is also part of the collective BAE.

 44 
Walid Jumblatt
(Lebanese Politician)
Walid Jumblatt
8
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: August 7, 1949
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Beirut

Walid Jumblatt is a Lebanese Druze politician who has been serving as the leader of the popular Progressive Socialist Party for many years now. A former militia commander, Walid Jumblatt also played a key role in the Syrian Civil War. Since the late-1970s, Walid Jumblatt has been the subject of photography like many other political leaders around the world. 

 45 
Nawal Al Zoghbi
(One of the Most Renowned Lebanese Pop Singer)
Nawal Al Zoghbi
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: June 29, 1971
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Jal el Dib, Lebanon

Lebanese pop star Nawal Al Zoghbi is often compared to Madonna for her sassy style. Politically outspoken, she supports the Palestinian cause. Known for using the oud, she has achieved popularity with tracks such as El Layali and Habeit Ya Leil and won honors such as the Murex d'Or Award.

 46 
Assi Rahbani
(Composer)
Assi Rahbani
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: May 4, 1923
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Antelias
Died: June 21, 1986

Assi Rahbani, part of the Lebanese composer duo The Rahbani Brothers, which also had his brother Mansour Rahbani, previously worked with Near East Radio. He later mostly composed music for his singer wife Nouhad Haddad, better known as Fairuz. The husband-wife duo also appeared in movies such as The Exile.

 47 
Émile Lahoud
(11th President of Lebanon (1998 - 2007))
Émile Lahoud
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 12, 1936
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Beirut

Former president of Lebanon, Émile Lahoud was initially part of the Lebanese army and navy. The son of pro-independence politician and military general Jamil Lahoud, he had a 30-year military career and was part of the Lebanese Civil War, too. He also strengthened the Lebanese army with the help of Syria.

 48 
Samir Geagea
(Lebanese Politician and Executive Chairman of the Lebanese Forces)
Samir Geagea
7
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: October 25, 1952
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Beirut

Known as Al-Hakim, or The Doctor, Lebanese politician Samir Geagea was initially part of the Kataeb Party and then joined the Lebanese Forces. Born into a family of farmers, he had started studying medicine before the civil war forced him to take up a military and political career.

 49 
Riad al-Sulh
(Prime Minister of Lebanon (1946 - 1951))
Riad al-Sulh
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 1894 AD
Birthplace: Sidon, Lebanon
Died: July 17, 1951

One of the most prominent figures of Lebanon’s independence movement, Riad al-Sulh became the country’s first prime minister after its independence. He was assassinated by Syrian Nationalist Party members, while visiting King Abdullah of Jordan. He is regarded as one of the founding fathers of Lebanon.

 50 
Musa al-Sadr
(1st Leader of the Amal Movement (1974 - 1978))
Musa al-Sadr
11
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: June 4, 1928
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Qom, Iran

Musa al-Sadr was an Iranian-born Lebanese scholar and political leader. He founded the Amal Movement, a political party associated with the Shia sect. He was born into an influential family tracing to Musa Ibn Jaafar, the seventh Shia Imam. At the peak of his popularity, he was considered a towering figure in Shia politics. He went missing in August 1978.