Druze

Druze
Erin Silversmith · Public domain · source
Group	Druze
Population	c. 1.5 million
Regions	Levant
Religions	Druze faith
Languages	Arabic (Levantine Arabic), Hebrew (in Israel)

Druze. The Druze are an ethnoreligious group primarily inhabiting the Levant, with significant communities in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. Their faith, an esoteric offshoot of Isma'ilism within Shia Islam, emerged in the 11th century under the leadership of Hamza ibn Ali ibn Ahmad and the Fatimid caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah. The community is known for its closed religious system, a strong emphasis on endogamy, and a distinct social structure that has allowed it to maintain a cohesive identity amidst the region's complex political landscapes.

History

The Druze faith formally began in 1017 CE in Cairo under the Fatimid Caliphate, proclaiming the divinity of the sixth caliph, al-Hakim bi-Amrih Allah. After al-Hakim's mysterious disappearance in 1021, the movement's primary propagator, Hamza ibn Ali, systematized its doctrines. The faith faced severe persecution, leading to its withdrawal from public proselytization by 1043 under the leadership of al-Muqtana Baha'uddin. During the Crusades, Druze communities in the Mount Lebanon region gained autonomy, with figures like the Ma'an dynasty and later the Shihab dynasty playing pivotal roles. The community navigated the rule of the Ottoman Empire, the French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon, and the subsequent establishment of modern nation-states, often leveraging their martial reputation and mountain strongholds to preserve their distinct status.

Beliefs and practices

Druze theology is a highly syncretic and secretive system incorporating elements from Isma'ilism, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, and other philosophies. Core tenets include a strict belief in the unity of God (*Tawhid*) and the transmigration of souls (*taqammus*). The faith recognizes seven prophets, including Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, and venerates figures like Jethro and Salman the Persian. Religious authority resides with a small, initiated clerical class known as the *'Uqqal* (the "Knowledgeable"), while the majority are *Juhhal* (the "Ignorant"). Key religious texts include the *Rasa'il al-Hikma* (Epistles of Wisdom). Ritual practices are minimal and private, with major gatherings occurring at sites like the shrine of Nabi Shu'ayb in Israel.

Demographics

The global Druze population is estimated at 1.5 million. The largest community resides in Syria, particularly in the Jabal al-Druze (Suwayda Governorate). In Lebanon, they are a significant political force concentrated in the Chouf District and Mount Lebanon Governorate. In Israel, Druze communities are found primarily in the Galilee and on Mount Carmel, notably in towns like Daliyat al-Karmel and Isfiya. A smaller community exists in Jordan, near Amman. Diaspora communities are present in Venezuela, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Western Europe, often maintaining strong ties to their ancestral homelands.

Social structure

Druze society is tightly knit, governed by principles of solidarity (*asabiyya*) and religious secrecy. The community is divided into the religious *'Uqqal* and the lay *Juhhal*. Leadership traditionally stems from prominent feudal families, such as the Jumblatt family in Lebanon and the Tarif family in Israel. A strict code of endogamy is enforced to preserve religious and social purity. The concept of *taqiyya* (religious dissimulation) is practiced in times of threat. Social life revolves around the *majlis* (council) and the *khalwa* (prayer house), with a strong emphasis on honor, hospitality, and military service, the latter being a notable feature of their relationship with the Israel Defense Forces.

Political status

The political status of Druze communities varies significantly by country, reflecting their historical role as a minority seeking protection and autonomy. In Lebanon, they are a recognized constituent of the confessional system, holding key positions like the Minister of Defense and leading political parties such as the Progressive Socialist Party. In Israel, Druze are defined as a distinct ethnic community, serve in the Israel Defense Forces and Israel Police, and have representation in the Knesset. In Syria, the community was historically influential, especially during the Syrian Revolution of 1925-27 and under Hafez al-Assad, but its position has been complex during the Syrian civil war. In Jordan, they hold citizenship but have limited political representation.