Dahieh

Dahieh (Arabic: الضاحية الجنوبية‎, al-Dahiya al-Janubiya, (French: La Banlieue Sud de Beyrouth, La Dâhiye de Beyrouth, meaning "the southern suburb") is a predominately Shia Muslim suburb south of Beirut, Lebanon, composed of several towns and municipalities. There is also a substantial Maronite Christian population coexisting in Chyah, Haret Hreik, Bourj el-Barajneh and Hadath. There is also a minority of coexisting Sunni Muslims. The also inhabit a Palestinian refugee camp which has 20 000 inhabitants. It is located north of the Rafic Hariri International Airport, with the Airport Road passing through it. Prior to the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, it was a residential area as well as a commercial area with malls and stores. The district is home to many souks. It was also the Beirut stronghold of the Shi'ite Islamist group, Hezbollah, and it had a large auditorium in Haret Hreik where Hezbollah followers gather during special occasions. Rarely, its leader Hassan Nasrallah would be among the guests due to fear of Assassination.