Religious community generally considered to be Muslim but whose practices also contain elements of Christianity and paganism. The religion was brought to Lebanon around the eleventh century by Darazi (hence the name Druze), a disciple of Al Hakim, the Fatimid caliph of Egypt who considered himself the final incarnation of God. The religion is secretive, and very few members are masters. The Druze community lives primarily in West Beirut, the Shuf Mountains, the Al Matn district and the regions around Hasbayya and Rashayya.
mystical, nonorthodox Muslim sect, located in Lebanon and Syria
small religious sect of Muslim faith that broke away from Sunni Moslems
an adherent of an esoteric monotheistic religious sect living in the relative security of the mountains of Syria and Lebanon who believes that Al-hakim was an incarnation of God; "a Druze is permitted to conform outwardly to the faith of the unbelievers among whom he lives"
a Muslim religious group centered in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel.
Members of a religious sect that broke with Islam nearly a thousand years ago, whose members live mostly in Lebanon and Syria and in the mountains around Haifa in Israel. Druze serve in the Israeli military, often as border guards.
Member of a religious community that constitutes a minority among Arabic-speaking Palestinians in Israel. Druze beliefs contain elements of Shia (q.v.) Islam, Christianity, and paganism.
A religion that broke away from Islam about 1000 CE following the teachings of Darazi, Hamza ibn Ali ibn Ahmad and Baha El-Din. Druze call themselves Mowahhidoon (plural) or Mowahhid (singular) which means "monotheistic." The religion is officially secret, and they do not proselytize. They believe in reincarnation and in abstract concepts of heaven and hell. They have few holidays, but celebrate the granting of the Qur'an to Mohammed (Muslim Ramadan), Druze are loyal citizens of whatever state they live in. Large Druze minorities live in Israel, Syria and Lebanon.
An offshoot sect of Islam named after Darazi, vizier of Fatimid Caliph Al-Hakim in the early 11th century. Ar: of Darazi.
The Druze or Druz (also known as Druse; Arabic: derzī or durzī درزي, pl. durūz دروز, , Druzim) are a distinct religious community based mostly in the Middle East who are an offshoot of Islam and influenced by other religions and philosophies, including Greek philosophy. The Druze consider themselves theologically as "an Islamic Unist, reformatory sect",Al-Maðhab at-Tawḥīdī ad-Durzī p. 66 by Najib Israwi, cited in Samy Swayd 1998, The Druzes: An Annotated Bibliography, ISBN 0-9662932-0-7 although they are not considered Muslims by most Muslims in the region. The Druze call themselves The People of Monotheism or Muwahhidūn ("Monotheists").
