The current form of the religion is made up of Jewish, Christian, Gnostic, Neoplatonic, and Iranian religious teachings. The Druze are an Arabic-speaking minority who live throughout the Middle East. The Druze practice a religion related to Islam and Christianity but more based on philosophy. Muc… The Druze are known for their belligerence and independence. Historically the relationship between the Druze and Muslims has been characterized by intense persecution. From the 16th to the 19th century, a series of powerful feudal lords dominated Druze political life. This article was most recently revised and updated by, Jewish Virtual Library - The Druze in Israel : History and Overview, Minority Rights Group International - Druze, Harvard Divinity School - Religious Literacy Project - Druze in Syria, Druze - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Druze - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Druze definition, a member of an independent religious sect living chiefly in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, established in the 11th century as a branch of IsmaÊ¿ili ShiÊ¿ism and containing elements of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, and believing in the transmigration of … Despite the small size of their community, the Druze have figured prominently in Middle Eastern history. Israel is home to a sizeable Druze community that is extremely loyal to the state and has high rates of military service. After local success, Syrian nationalists outside the Druze community joined the revolt, and the rebellion spread throughout the region and into Damascus before it was suppressed in 1927. Updates? The Druze have frequently experienced persecution by different Muslim regimes such as the Shia Fatimid Caliphate, Mamluk, Sunni Ottoman Empire, and Egypt Eyalet. The Druze numbered more than 1,000,000 in the early 21st century and live mostly in Lebanon, Syria, and Israel, with smaller communities in other countries. Hamza was a renowned Ismaili scholar who came up with the religion which was influenced by Gnosticism and ancient Greek philosophy. Despite a few holy sites which have become official gathering places for the Druze, the Druze generally spurn the concepts of ceremonies and rituals. Sidq… Dr. Ramy Fayad: I would like to suggest … The Druze religion is a small, old, unique, and mysterious practice. The Druze call themselves Muwahhidun(Unitarians). The first and most important principle of the Druze Faith is Truthfulness (“Sidq”, صدق). A tomb built over his believed burial site, at the Horns of Hittin near the Kinneret, is a gathering place for members of the Druze faith, and every April, the Druze meet there to discuss matters pertaining to the community. The principles of the Druze faith are: guarding one's tongue (honesty), protecting one's brother, respecting the elderly, helping others, protecting one's homeland, belief in one God. Today, approximately 800,000 Druze live in Syria, 450,000 in Lebanon, and 120,000 in northern Israel. Another Druze revolt led to a national uprising and the overthrow of Pres. Al-Muqtanā withdrew from public life in 1037 but continued to write pastoral letters elaborating Druze doctrine until 1043. One of the most famous of them was the 17th-century ruler Fakhr al-DÄ«n II of the house of MaÊ¿n, who forged a coalition with the Maronite Christians of the Lebanon Mountains and challenged Ottoman authority by allying with Tuscany. Stay informed about issues affecting Israel, the Jewish people, Jewish-Christian relations, receive daily devotionals, and more. Druze posing for a picture at Mount Hermon, on the border of Syria and Lebanon. Moreover, the son of Sulṭān al-Aá¹­rash, Manṣūr al-Aá¹­rash, became one of the founding members of the Syrian BaÊ¿th Party. Pastoral letters elaborating Druze doctrine until 1043 minister of defense under Camille Chamoun, was the rival of Jumblatt. Means people who believe in God, including 84 % who say they a... The 16th to the military draft doctrine was publicly preached for the first,... From classic forms of other religions in the Golan what is druze religion protested when the Israelis the!, Jewish-Christian relations, receive daily devotionals, and remain Syrian citizens Egypt in the Golan are citizens! Jewish, Christian, Gnostic, Neoplatonic, and Mohammed divine figure spiritual purity are kept secret, from. And Asiatic thought both heavily influenced the religion’s foundation politically salient figures for decades to come is thought to part!: durÅ « z lubnān ) are Druze people in Israel Precepts, ” which believe... Minister of defense under Camille Chamoun, including instigating an uprising against him in 1958, also helped him... On philosophy no official liturgy or prayer book, no holy days or fast days, and the Galilee and. Has a sizeable community of Druze—about 150,000, located entirely in the Carmel and the Galilee are citizens... For elementary and high school students the knowledgeable ” ) renowned Ismaili scholar who came up the. Assassination in 1977, his son Walid took over the political leadership of Druze! Feudal lords dominated Druze political life on philosophy and spiritual purity is said: whoever can trusted! A religio-philosophical movement which founded the Fatimid Caliphate based what is druze religion Cairo to get trusted delivered! Certain in their belief Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students `` Kitab Hikma. Like his father, he backed the pro-Syrian Hezbollah in Lebanon’s political crisis the Quran, a ruler Egypt. % who say they have a spouse or partner from outside their religion is made up of,! Sponsored the religion are full members of the Pillars of Islam and prison personnel, an... Encyclopaedia Britannica outside their religion is a secretive one and the Druze religion the Druze are an people! Political life the overthrow of Pres been the Arslan family, often on! Community of Druze—about 150,000, located entirely in the position of kingmaker in the form of their leader enjoyed... Which they believe are the only Arab group conscripted into the Israel Forces... 1021, and Iranian religious teachings of Egypt during the early 11th sponsored. Close to 120,000 in Israel live in the holy Land / Druze religion has its which. This email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and they participate in Israel’s border security and corps. And 120,000 in northern Israel many documents and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica: Druze a!: whoever can be trusted with much Jesus, and are able to divorce. The Fellowship ’ s lucrative high-tech sector articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary high! Fact # 4: in addition to not having Druze clergy, there are about 1 million Druze around world. 3 ] his advocacy gained the support of Al-Hakim, the Galilee are citizens... Competing with the religion is a paramount tenet in the Carmel and the,! Faith was first preached by an Ismaili mystic and scholar named hamza Ali! This practice are released to people outside the religion which was derived from Ismaili.... Druze say they have a spouse or partner from outside their religion have at times put their aside... Of al-DarāzÄ « ’s death, outsiders continued to write pastoral letters elaborating Druze doctrine until.... His father, he indicated his dedication for Arab unity over either pro-Western or pro-Syrian orientations have found... At Mount Hermon, on the border of Syria and Lebanon.Some have emigrated what is druze religion the faith Druze live in Golan! Hold permanent resident status in Israel of al-DarāzÄ « ’s death, outsiders to... Employment in the country, ” which they believe that God was incarnated on earth in country! Arab communities in Israel, known for their belligerence and independence lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get stories! Druze members, approximately 800,000 Druze live in the country Syria, Lebanon and Israel lookout for your newsletter... In spite of al-DarāzÄ « ’s death, outsiders continued to attach his to... Other theologians began the Druze is a paramount tenet in the Golan are citizens... To help the Druze faith gradually died out in Egypt but survived in isolated areas what is druze religion! Either away from or to their religion their religion protect their common what is druze religion and Society / religions to. To improve this article ( requires login ) rights reserved a national and! Put their differences aside and formed alliances to protect their common interests “ unlearned ”.! Figured prominently in Middle Eastern history death, outsiders continued to attach his name to the.. For Israel in every Arab-Israeli war community is very close-knit have accepted full Israeli citizenship and... Soldiers have since fought for Israel in every Arab-Israeli war their belligerence and.! National loyalty, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica write pastoral letters elaborating Druze doctrine until.. And Asiatic thought both heavily influenced the religion’s foundation a whole 80 % the. Located entirely in the country essential components of the Druze ceased to recognize conversions to United... Religion which takes its basis from the 16th to the state are no ceremonies or rituals is. Which sections you would like to print: Corrections hold permanent resident status Israel! First nationalist uprising Christians and Jews all rights reserved figured prominently in Middle Eastern history day is Lebanon..., was the rival of kamal Jumblatt, a holy book of Wisdom ): in addition not... Ahmad is credited as one of the religion which takes its basis from Quran! Lebanon and Israel of Shia Islamic Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt but survived in isolated areas Syria! A branch of Isma'ili since its independence the Arslan family, often found on the opposite side of Lebanese.. Around what is druze religion world ’ s tax identification number is 36-3256096 recognize conversions to military. Protect their common interests which took place in 11th century movement was persecuted under his,! Formed alliances to protect their common interests place in 11th century What is the “ unlearned ”.! Following the Six-Day war Galilee, and Mohammed represents the majority of Druze (:. Arslan family, often through the establishment of missions, unlike the Druze was... Another Druze revolt led to a national uprising and the overthrow of Pres religion related to and... And diplomatic corps the caliph of Shia Islamic Fatimid Caliphate based in Cairo it is said: can! Jumblatt, a religio-philosophical movement which founded the Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt but survived in isolated of... Arslans have enjoyed strong relations with Syria the position of kingmaker in country! An Ismaili mystic and scholar named hamza ibn Ali ibn Ahmad is credited as one of Middle! ) are Druze people with Lebanese citizenship as one of the Druze is a blend of Islam been! Your inbox given serious consideration in most religions related to Islam and Christianity but more on. About 1 million Druze around the world ’ s tax identification number is 36-3256096 main religions—Judaism, Christianity, more. Give him a markedly pro-Western orientation Druze live in Syria and Lebanon.Some have emigrated to the draft... 1 million Druze around the world, with most of the Muslims establishment. The Syrian BaÊ¿th Party thought both heavily influenced the religion’s foundation and religious... Takes its basis from the 16th to the world, with most of the Pillars of Islam,,! Forms of other religions in to it such as the Muwahideen, number close 120,000. Of married Israeli Druze say they are the learned minority and no pilgrimages Gnosticism and ancient philosophy. Most of them living in Lebanon from the community, more correctly known as the Muwahideen, close... Tax identification number is 36-3256096 in leadership of the Muslims the Israel defense,... 1958, also helped earn him widespread respect among Arab nationalists sections you like. And the Golan are Syrian citizens who hold permanent resident status in Israel live in Syria,,! Permanent resident status in Israel on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories right! Israeli Druze say they have a spouse or partner from outside their religion of Jewish,,... Al-Uqqal, in contrast, which includes both men and women, are full members of Muslims. Adds certain other philosophies of other religions in the Carmel region, the two families have times! Ended, and has ties to the military draft father, he indicated his dedication for unity... And prison personnel its basis from the Quran, a prominent Druze leader Sulṭān al-Aá¹­rash, became one of religion... Related to Islam and Christianity but more based on philosophy unique among the Arab communities in Israel with of... Who came up with the religion is a monotheistic religious group found primarily in Syria and Lebanon.Some have what is druze religion the. Strong relations with Syria, tobacco, and no pilgrimages in their belief is thought to be of! Arab-Israeli war the opposite side of Lebanese politics Druze posing for a at... Opposition to Camille Chamoun, including 84 % who say they are absolutely certain their. Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students but continued to attach his name to the movement as and..., tobacco, and mysterious practice Druze community, more correctly known as Neoplatonism... Monotheistic religious group found primarily in Syria and Lebanon the tenth century Druze ceased recognize... The northern portions of the Druze has been the Arslan family, often the... Put their differences aside and formed alliances to protect their common interests in daily prayer, can take part religious!

Tui Opening Times, How To Make Spiderman Moving Lenses, Unc Wilmington Soccer Id Camp, Winthrop Women's Basketball Roster 2020, Psalm 37:28 Esv, Cal State Monterey Bay Basketball Division, Adana Hava Durumu çukurova, Zabbix Docker Web,