Kaifun

Kaifun (Arabic: كيفون), (also transliterated Kaifoun, Keyfoun and Kayfoun) is a village in Aley District, Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon.^[1] It is bordered by Souk El Gharb to the north, Ain Aanoub and Bechamoun to the west and Baissour to the south. It is around 800 meters above sea level and 26 kilometers away from Beirut.

Kaifun كيفون Keyfoun
Kaifun Location in Lebanon
Coordinates: 33°47′07″N 35°33′33″E
Country	Lebanon
Governorate	Mount Lebanon Governorate
District	Aley District
Area [1]
• Total	0.67 sq mi (1.74 km2)
Elevation [1]	2,600 ft (800 m)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	+3

Kaifun is a popular summer recreational destination for Beirut's residents, and is famous for its Pine forest and view of the Mediterranean Sea.

History

When Mamluks intensified their persecution against Shia Muslims in 1363, a group of Shiites from Beirut (Burj Beirut) settled in Qmatiye and Kaifun, the only major Shia villages in Aley District.^[2] Feudal Shiite families from Jabal Amel also settled the town in 19th century.^[3]

In 1838, Eli Smith noted the place, called Keifun, located in El-Ghurb el-Fokany; Upper el-Ghurb.^[4]

On October 3 2024 Kaifun was bombed by the IDF during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.^[5]

Demographics

Kaifun's natives are Shia Muslims.^{[citation needed]}

Main families include:

• Jawhar
• Saad
• El-Hajj
• Al-Hakim (Ahmad)
• Dagher
• Sirhal
• Reslan
• El-Zein
• Khalife
• Awada
• Jaber
• Jadeed
• Salloukh
• Al-Qadi
• Al-Sheikh