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The Druze represent a small and distinct religious community, with members mainly in Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Jordan (small communities of immigrants also exist, notably in the US, Canada, Latin America, Australia, and Europe). Most Druzes speak Arabic, but fundamentally different from other Arabs and Muslims, even though sometimes their leadership claim the contrary for political reasons.
History of the Druze
The religion developed out of Ismaili Islam, an enlightened philosophical movement based in the Fatimid Caliphate, in the 10th century, a time of particular cultural wealth. Unlike what is commonly thought, the religion did not attempt to reform mainstream Islam, but to create a whole new religious body, influenced by Greek philosophy, Gnosticism and Christianity among others. The main actors were al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, the Caliph who allowed the movement to grow and Hamza, the main architect of the movement. The official name of the movement is "Tawheed" (Unity), but the name 'Druze' is wrongfully credited to Nashtakin-Al-Darazi, who is rejected by the Druzes as a heretic.
The Druze played major roles in the history of the Levant. They were mostly scattered in Mount Lebanon, which was known as the Mountain of the Druzes, and later in Jabal el-Dourouz (Druze mountain) in Syria.
The Druze also played a major role in the War of Lebanon (19751990). They organized a mighty and feared militia (probably the strongest militia in the Lebanon war) under the leadership of Walid Jumblatt (son of Kamal Jumblatt) mostly as a response to aggressions conducted by other factions. They were based in the Mount Lebanon area (especially the Chouf).
The Druze today
In Lebanon, Syria, and the State of Israel, the Druze have official recognition as a separate religious community with its own religious court system. They serve in the army and vote in elections. However, the Druze living in the Golan Heights consider themselves Syrian and refuse to collaborate with the Israeli state.
Prominent Druze figures include Fakhreddin II, descendant of the Ma'an dynasty, who ruled at its height what is known Lebanon, part of Syria, Israel, and even part of Turkey, and later Kamal Jumblatt, the founder of the Progressive Socialist Party in the mid-20th century and a major thinker and philosopher.
Their symbol is an array of five colors: Green, Red, Yellow, Blue and White. Each color pertains to a symbol defining its principles. The symbol can also be represented in a five-sided star. This is why the number '5' has special considerations among the religious community.
Views of the Druze
The Druze faith keeps its tenants secret. They are publicly open about very few details of their faith, and they do not accept any converts. This is due to many religious, political and historical reasons (The Druzes were violently and brutally persecuted for centuries by other religious communities).
The Druze believe in the Unity of God (whence their own name for themselves: Ahl al-Tawheed (sons of the Unity)). They are monotheists, like Jews and Muslims. Their theology has a Neo-Platonic view about how God interacts with the world through emanations and also is similar to some gnostic and other esoteric sects. They are not however also influenced by the Sufi philosophy, as many think.
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. Another well-known feature of the Druze religion is a fervent belief in human-only reincarnation for all the members of the community.
Druze believe in prophets relative to the old testament, Jesus and Muhammad. They also believe in the wisdom of classical Greek philosophers such as Plato. In addition, they have an array of "wise men" that founded the religion in the 11th century. Individual prayer, as in Islam, does not exist. Smoking, alcohol, and the eating of pork are banned. The Druze are not allowed to intermarry with Muslims, Jews, or any other religions. However, these rules are often disregarded in modern day societies.
One of the Druze's holy book is called the "Hikme" book (or the book of Wisdom). They denounce materialism, especially materialism relative to religion. Thus, their places of worship are usually very modest, and their religious figures ("Ajaweed") lead very modest lifestyles. Prayer is usually conducted discreetly and among family and friends. Unlike other religions such as Judaism and Christianity, there is no official hierarchy in the religious community, except for the "Sheikh A'el", whose role is more political and social rather than religious. A religious figure is admired for his wisdom and lifestyle.
Druze women can opt to wear a "Mandeel" (transparent loose white veil) especially in the presence of religious figures. They are considered equal to men in all aspects. Contrary to most customs, they are allowed to join the "Council of the Elders".
One cannot convert to the faith.
Today, a lot of contradicting literature and hoaxes surround the Druze, mainly due to false beliefs that were used to protect them from persecutors, or simply due to outsiders telling rumors and stories. For example, it is still unclear to most outsiders whether the Druze follow the same traditions of fasting as Muslims in the month of Ramadan. This is due to the fact that the Druze have followed these traditions for numerous centuries in order to protect themselves. In reality, they ought to not follow these traditions, but instead, to follow a different fasting tradition still practiced by religious figures.
Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org
History of the Druze
The religion developed out of Ismaili Islam, an enlightened philosophical movement based in the Fatimid Caliphate, in the 10th century, a time of particular cultural wealth. Unlike what is commonly thought, the religion did not attempt to reform mainstream Islam, but to create a whole new religious body, influenced by Greek philosophy, Gnosticism and Christianity among others. The main actors were al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, the Caliph who allowed the movement to grow and Hamza, the main architect of the movement. The official name of the movement is "Tawheed" (Unity), but the name 'Druze' is wrongfully credited to Nashtakin-Al-Darazi, who is rejected by the Druzes as a heretic.
The Druze played major roles in the history of the Levant. They were mostly scattered in Mount Lebanon, which was known as the Mountain of the Druzes, and later in Jabal el-Dourouz (Druze mountain) in Syria.
The Druze also played a major role in the War of Lebanon (19751990). They organized a mighty and feared militia (probably the strongest militia in the Lebanon war) under the leadership of Walid Jumblatt (son of Kamal Jumblatt) mostly as a response to aggressions conducted by other factions. They were based in the Mount Lebanon area (especially the Chouf).
The Druze today
In Lebanon, Syria, and the State of Israel, the Druze have official recognition as a separate religious community with its own religious court system. They serve in the army and vote in elections. However, the Druze living in the Golan Heights consider themselves Syrian and refuse to collaborate with the Israeli state.
Prominent Druze figures include Fakhreddin II, descendant of the Ma'an dynasty, who ruled at its height what is known Lebanon, part of Syria, Israel, and even part of Turkey, and later Kamal Jumblatt, the founder of the Progressive Socialist Party in the mid-20th century and a major thinker and philosopher.
Their symbol is an array of five colors: Green, Red, Yellow, Blue and White. Each color pertains to a symbol defining its principles. The symbol can also be represented in a five-sided star. This is why the number '5' has special considerations among the religious community.
Views of the Druze
The Druze faith keeps its tenants secret. They are publicly open about very few details of their faith, and they do not accept any converts. This is due to many religious, political and historical reasons (The Druzes were violently and brutally persecuted for centuries by other religious communities).
The Druze believe in the Unity of God (whence their own name for themselves: Ahl al-Tawheed (sons of the Unity)). They are monotheists, like Jews and Muslims. Their theology has a Neo-Platonic view about how God interacts with the world through emanations and also is similar to some gnostic and other esoteric sects. They are not however also influenced by the Sufi philosophy, as many think.
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. Another well-known feature of the Druze religion is a fervent belief in human-only reincarnation for all the members of the community.
Druze believe in prophets relative to the old testament, Jesus and Muhammad. They also believe in the wisdom of classical Greek philosophers such as Plato. In addition, they have an array of "wise men" that founded the religion in the 11th century. Individual prayer, as in Islam, does not exist. Smoking, alcohol, and the eating of pork are banned. The Druze are not allowed to intermarry with Muslims, Jews, or any other religions. However, these rules are often disregarded in modern day societies.
One of the Druze's holy book is called the "Hikme" book (or the book of Wisdom). They denounce materialism, especially materialism relative to religion. Thus, their places of worship are usually very modest, and their religious figures ("Ajaweed") lead very modest lifestyles. Prayer is usually conducted discreetly and among family and friends. Unlike other religions such as Judaism and Christianity, there is no official hierarchy in the religious community, except for the "Sheikh A'el", whose role is more political and social rather than religious. A religious figure is admired for his wisdom and lifestyle.
Druze women can opt to wear a "Mandeel" (transparent loose white veil) especially in the presence of religious figures. They are considered equal to men in all aspects. Contrary to most customs, they are allowed to join the "Council of the Elders".
One cannot convert to the faith.
Today, a lot of contradicting literature and hoaxes surround the Druze, mainly due to false beliefs that were used to protect them from persecutors, or simply due to outsiders telling rumors and stories. For example, it is still unclear to most outsiders whether the Druze follow the same traditions of fasting as Muslims in the month of Ramadan. This is due to the fact that the Druze have followed these traditions for numerous centuries in order to protect themselves. In reality, they ought to not follow these traditions, but instead, to follow a different fasting tradition still practiced by religious figures.
Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org
