Druze

The Druze (Arabic: duruzī درزي, pl. durūz دروز, Hebrew: druzim ??????) are a small and distinct religious community residing mainly in Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Turkey and Jordan (small communities of expatriates also live in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia, and Europe). They use the Arabic language and follow a social pattern very similar to the Arabs of the region. They are not considered Muslim by most Muslims in the region, although most Druze say that their religion is Islamic. Most Druze consider themselves to be Arabs http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_1-2-2004_pg3_5, although some Israeli Druze do not. There are about 1 million Druze worldwide, the vast majority in the Middle East http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3612002.stm.

History of the Druze

The religion developed out of Ismaili Islam, a philosophical movement based in the Fatimid Caliphate, in the 10th century, a time of particular cultural wealth. The religion did not attempt to reform mainstream Islam but aimed to create a whole new religious body influenced by Greek philosophy, Gnosticism and Christianity, among others. The main actors were Tariq al-Hakīm, also known as al-Hakīm bi-Amr al-Lāh, the Caliph who claimed to be God, and Hamza ibn-'Ali ibn-Ahmad, the main architect of the movement. It was Hamza who first publicly proclaimed that Hakīm was God. Hakīm was opposed by orthodox Muslims for what was considered apostasy. He was resented for his extreme violence, and religious minorities (such as Christians) were persecuted under him—in 1010, Hakīm destroyed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Related Topics:
Ismaili - Fatimid - Caliphate - 10th century - Greek philosophy - Gnosticism - Christianity - Al-Hakīm bi-Amr al-Lāh - God - Hamza ibn-'Ali ibn-Ahmad - Muslim - Apostasy - 1010 - Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Jerusalem

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Because the Druze considered Tariq al-Hakīm to be the incarnation of God, they were persecuted by orthodox Muslims, especially after Hakīm's death in 1021. The Druze took up taqiyya ("dissimulation"), a practice whereby they conceal their true beliefs and outwardly accept the religious beliefs of those amongst whom they live, even as they retained their true convictions in secret. The Druze believe that Hakīm disappeared and will return in the end of days.

Related Topics:
Muslim - 1021 - Taqiyya - End of days

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The Druze have played major roles in the history of the Levant. They were mostly scattered in the Chouf Mountains, which was known as the Mountain of the Druzes, and later the similarly-named Jabal al-Durūz (Mount of the Druzes) in Syria.

Related Topics:
Levant - Chouf Mountains - Jabal al-Durūz (Mount of the Druzes) - Syria

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The Druze also played a major role in the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990). They organized a militia (one of the strongest militia in the Lebanon war) under the leadership of Walid Jumblatt, (son of Kamal Jumblatt), in opposition to the Maronite Christian Phalangist militia of Bachir Gemayel. They were based in the Mount Lebanon area (especially the Chouf).

Related Topics:
Lebanese Civil War - Militia - Walid Jumblatt - Kamal Jumblatt - Maronite - Phalangist - Bachir Gemayel - Chouf

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