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.

Prominent Druze figures

• Fakhreddin II (1588 - 1635), descendant of the Ma'an Dynasty, ruled at its height what is now Lebanon, part of Syria, Israel and even part of Turkey.
• L'Emir Magid Arslan was the leader of the independence of Lebanon in 1943 when the president Bechara el Khoury with fellow ministers were taken to prison to rachaya by the french. His sons L'Emir Faysal Arslan and L'emir Talal Arslan fought democratically each other to gain seat in the Lebanese Pariliament but L'Emir Talal Arslan won the seat because of Syria's influence over Lebanon during the Lebanese elections in 1992.
• Kamal Jumblatt was founder of the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party in the mid-20th century, and a major thinker and philosopher; his son Walid Jumblatt remains prominent in Lebanese politics.
• In Israel, Salah Tarif (a former captain in the paratrooper and the tank divisions of the Israeli Army) has been a Knesset member since 1992. He has served as the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, and was appointed Minister Without Portfolio in the Sharon government of 2001. Other notable figures include Ayoob Kara, a Druze Knesset member of the Likud party, and Colonel Imad Fares, the acclaimed commander of the Givati Brigade from 2001–2003. Major General Hussain Fares is the commander of the Israel Border Police. Azzam Azzam was accused of spying for Israel by Egypt, and jailed there for 8 years, before being released in late 2004.
• Famous musician Farid Al Atrash, born in Syria (Jabal Al Druze) to Prince Farhan Atrash brother of Sultan Basha Al Atrash. He moved to Egypt with his mother, brother and sister Asmahan who was also a famous singer. He composed hundreds of songs and acted in many movies. He revived the Eastern musical traditions with such pieces as Lahn Al Khulud and the Rabeeh Opera.
• Radio announcer Casey Kasem, born Kamal Amin Kasem to Lebanese Druze immigrants to the U.S., is probably that country's most well-known figure of Druze heritage. About 20,000 Druze live in the United States.