DRUZE
The Druze are an esoteric ethnoreligious group originating in Western Aisa who self-identify as Unitarians .It has currently close to a million faithful, mainly in Lebanoa, Syria, Israell and Jordan. Jethro of Midian is considered an ancestor of all Mandaeans and Mahra ( Marsh Arab) from Druze Mountain, who revere him as their spiritual founder and chief prophet.
The Druze faith is a Monotheistic and Abrahamic Religion based on the teachings of Hamza ibn-'Ali , al- Hakim, Plato, Aristotle, Socrates and Akhenaten.The Epistles of Wisdom is the foundational text of the Druze faith. The Druze faith incorporates elements of Islam's ISLAMAILISM, Judaism, Christianity, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, Pythagorean, Hinduism according to some, and other philosophies and beliefs, creating a distinct and secretive theology known to esoterically interpret religious scriptures and to highlight the role of the mind and truthfulness. The Druze follow theophany, and believe in reincarnation or the transmigration of the soul . At the end of the cycle of rebirth, which is achieved through successive reincarnations, the soul is united with the Cosmic Mind (Al Aaqal Al Kulli).
Although dwarfed by other, larger communities, the Druze community played an important role in shaping the history of the Levant, and continues to play a large political role there. As an ethnic and religious minority in every country in which they live, they have frequently experienced persecution, except in Israel, where they serve in the highest echelons of society, including judges, parliamentarians, diplomats, doctors, etc. Even though the faith originally developed out of Ismaili Islam, Druze are not considered Muslims. Fatimid Caliph, Ali az-Zahir, whose father al-Hakim is a key figure in the Druze faith, was particularly harsh, causing the death of many Druze in Antioch , Alleppo, and northern Syria. Persecution flared up during the rule of the Mamluks and Ottomans. Most recently, Druze were targeted by ISIS and Al-Quida in order to cleanse Syria and neighboring countries of non-Islamic influence.
The Druze faith is one of the major religious groups in the Levant, with between 800,000 and one million adherents. They are found primarily in Syria, Lebanon and Israel, with small communities in Jordon and outside Southwestern Asia. The oldest and most densely-populated Druze communities exist in Mount Lebanon and in the south of Syria around Jabal al-Druze (literally the "Mountain of the Druzes"). The Druze's social customs differ markedly from those of Muslims or Christians, and they are known to form a close-knit, cohesive community that does not allow anyone into or out of it, but also integrate fully in their adopted homelands.
Since around the 11th Century A.D. the Druze do not let anyone into or out of their religion unless they are born of Druze parents. They are known as some of the most intelligent and well educated people on Earth.
A recent scientific DNA study of the Shroud of Turin showed that the blood of the person represented on the Shroud was of ancient maternal Druze ancestry.
George Clooney's wife, Amal Clooney, may probably be the best known modern Druze today.
The Druze are an esoteric ethnoreligious group originating in Western Aisa who self-identify as Unitarians .It has currently close to a million faithful, mainly in Lebanoa, Syria, Israell and Jordan. Jethro of Midian is considered an ancestor of all Mandaeans and Mahra ( Marsh Arab) from Druze Mountain, who revere him as their spiritual founder and chief prophet.
The Druze faith is a Monotheistic and Abrahamic Religion based on the teachings of Hamza ibn-'Ali , al- Hakim, Plato, Aristotle, Socrates and Akhenaten.The Epistles of Wisdom is the foundational text of the Druze faith. The Druze faith incorporates elements of Islam's ISLAMAILISM, Judaism, Christianity, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, Pythagorean, Hinduism according to some, and other philosophies and beliefs, creating a distinct and secretive theology known to esoterically interpret religious scriptures and to highlight the role of the mind and truthfulness. The Druze follow theophany, and believe in reincarnation or the transmigration of the soul . At the end of the cycle of rebirth, which is achieved through successive reincarnations, the soul is united with the Cosmic Mind (Al Aaqal Al Kulli).
Although dwarfed by other, larger communities, the Druze community played an important role in shaping the history of the Levant, and continues to play a large political role there. As an ethnic and religious minority in every country in which they live, they have frequently experienced persecution, except in Israel, where they serve in the highest echelons of society, including judges, parliamentarians, diplomats, doctors, etc. Even though the faith originally developed out of Ismaili Islam, Druze are not considered Muslims. Fatimid Caliph, Ali az-Zahir, whose father al-Hakim is a key figure in the Druze faith, was particularly harsh, causing the death of many Druze in Antioch , Alleppo, and northern Syria. Persecution flared up during the rule of the Mamluks and Ottomans. Most recently, Druze were targeted by ISIS and Al-Quida in order to cleanse Syria and neighboring countries of non-Islamic influence.
The Druze faith is one of the major religious groups in the Levant, with between 800,000 and one million adherents. They are found primarily in Syria, Lebanon and Israel, with small communities in Jordon and outside Southwestern Asia. The oldest and most densely-populated Druze communities exist in Mount Lebanon and in the south of Syria around Jabal al-Druze (literally the "Mountain of the Druzes"). The Druze's social customs differ markedly from those of Muslims or Christians, and they are known to form a close-knit, cohesive community that does not allow anyone into or out of it, but also integrate fully in their adopted homelands.
Since around the 11th Century A.D. the Druze do not let anyone into or out of their religion unless they are born of Druze parents. They are known as some of the most intelligent and well educated people on Earth.
A recent scientific DNA study of the Shroud of Turin showed that the blood of the person represented on the Shroud was of ancient maternal Druze ancestry.
George Clooney's wife, Amal Clooney, may probably be the best known modern Druze today.