Druze Sheikh, who was forced to shave moustache, reportedly died of sadness
ALBAWABA - Shock dominated social media after news that an elderly Druze Sheikh, who was seen in a viral video from Sweida, standing between multiple Syrian government forces while they were shaving his moustache, died of grief. Also Read Syrian forces enter Sweida city after Druze's agreement
The Druze man in the video was identified as Sheikh Marhej Shaheen (also known as Abu Talal). He was seen in footage following Syrian government forces' entry to Sweida city, which has been witnessing unrest amid clashes.
The fate of Sheikh Marhej Shahine remains unclear, amid reports that he died of grief after being insulted by armed men. — حسن الدّر (@HasanDorr) July 15, 2025
Suwayda 24 outlet reported, citing sources close to Sheikh Marhej Shahine, who recently appeared in a video in which he was insulted and had his moustache shaved by an armed group, that he died of extreme grief, especially since he was in his eighties.
Sources reported that Sheikh Shaheen, 80, had remained at home since the incident and had not left it after Syrian security forces entered his village in the western countryside of Sweida, according to the same network.
Later, his granddaughter Chistine Yassine Shahine posted on her Facebook account that the Druze Sheikh had been "martyred". However, Druze religious leaders didn't confirm the news until now.
No other party has yet confirmed his death, but the widely circulated video sparked a wave of grief and condemnation among the residents of the town of Tha'la, where the sheikh held a prominent social standing.
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