The Druze (Arabic: darazī درزي, pl. durūz دروز) are a small, distinct religious community based mostly in the Middle East whose sect is Muslim but influenced by Greek philosophy and other religions. The Druze refer to themselves as "an Islamic, Shīˤī, Unist, reformatory sect (maðhab Islāmī, Shīˤī, Tawḥīdī islāḥī)" (Note 1), although they are not considered Muslims by most Muslims in the region. The Arabic language (Arabic: ‎ transliterated: ), or simply Arabic (Arabic: ‎ transliterated: ), is the largest member of the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family (classification: South Central Semitic) and is closely related to Hebrew and Aramaic. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Turkish: Müslüman, Persian: مسلمان) is an adherent of Islam. ... Classical (or early) Greek philosophy focused on the role of reason and inquiry. ... Shia Islam (Arabic شيعى follower; English has traditionally used Shiite or Shiite) is the second largest Islamic denomination; some 10-15% of all Muslims are said to follow a Shia tradition. ... Madhhab (Arabic مذهب pl. ... A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Turkish: Müslüman, Persian: مسلمان) is an adherent of Islam. ...

Druze Star

Image File history File links Druze_star. ... Image File history File links Druze_star. ...

Location

The Druze reside primarily in Lebanon, Israel, Syria, and Jordan. Large communities of expatriates also live in the United States, Canada, Latin America, West Africa, Australia and Europe. They use the Arabic language and follow a social pattern very similar to the other Arabs of the region. Most Druze consider themselves Arabs [1]. Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ...  Western Africa (UN subregion)  Maghreb West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. ... World map showing Europe Political map Europe is one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiographic one, leading to various perspectives about Europes borders. ... The Arabic language (Arabic: ‎ transliterated: ), or simply Arabic (Arabic: ‎ transliterated: ), is the largest member of the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family (classification: South Central Semitic) and is closely related to Hebrew and Aramaic. ... The Arabs (Arabic: عرب ) are a large and heterogeneous ethnic group found throughout the Middle East and North Africa. ... The Arabs (Arabic: عرب ) are a large and heterogeneous ethnic group found throughout the Middle East and North Africa. ...

There are about 2.3 million Druze worldwide, the vast majority in the Levant or East Mediterranean [2]. However, this figure may not be accurate as some sites/studies suggest they number around 450,000 [3]. The Levant Levant is an imprecise geographical term historically referring to a large area in the Middle East south of the Taurus Mountains, bounded by the Mediterranean Sea on the west, and by the northern Arabian Desert and Upper Mesopotamia to the east. ...

The Druze call themselves Ahl al-Tawḥīd "the People of Monotheism" or Muwaḥḥidūn "Monotheists". The origin of the name Druze is traced to Muḥammad ad-Darazī, a heretic of the sect's incipient years. The People of Monotheism (Arabic: Ahl al-Tawhid) is one a name the Druze use for themselves. ... Muhammad al-Darazi (? in Bukhara, Turkey - 1019) is believed to have been the founder of the Druze religion. ... Heresy, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is a theological or religious opinion or doctrine maintained in opposition, or held to be contrary, to the Catholic or Orthodox doctrine of the Christian Church, or, by extension, to that of any church, creed, or religious system, considered as orthodox. ...

History of the Druze

Druze women, at Istanbul in Ottoman Empire

The religion developed out of Ismaili Islam, a philosophical movement based in the Fātimid Caliphate, in the 10th century, a time of particular cultural wealth. 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. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (388x773, 281 KB) published 1878, drawing from a travellers guide. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (388x773, 281 KB) published 1878, drawing from a travellers guide. ... Istanbul (Turkish: Ä°stanbul, see also: other names) is Turkeys largest city, and its cultural and economic center. ... Imperial motto (Ottoman Turkish) دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) The Ottoman Empire at the height of its power (1683) Official language Ottoman Turkish Capital Söğüt (1299-1326), Bursa (1326-1365), Edirne (1365-1453), Ä°stanbul (1453-1922) Imperial anthem Ottoman imperial anthem Sovereigns Padishah of the Osmanl... The IsmāīlÄ« (Arabic: الإسماعيليون; Persian: اسماعیلیان Esmailiyan) are shia muslims which recognize the continuation of the line of imams from the descendents Imam Ismail, rather than the concept of the hidden Imam Mahdi, which is advoacted by other shia muslims and has arisen among the followers of Ismails brother... The Fatimid Empire or Fatimid Caliphate ruled North Africa from A.D. 909 to 1171. ... An Anglicized/Latinized version of the Arabic word خليفة or Khalīfah, Caliph (  listen?) is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 10th century was that century which lasted from 901 to 1000. ... Classical (or early) Greek philosophy focused on the role of reason and inquiry. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Christianity is a monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus as recounted in the New Testament. ...

The main actors of the early years were the pious Fātimid ruler Tariqu l-Ḥakīm, also known as al-Ḥakīm bi-ˤAmru l-Lāh "Ruler in the Name of God" and the Persian immigrant Hamza ibn ˤAlī ibn Aḥmad, the main architect of the movement. It was Imām Ḥamza who first publicly proclaimed that Ḥakīm was the "Ruler in the Name of God". Hakim bi-Amr Allah (literally: Ruler by Gods Command), known as the Mad Caliph, was the sixth Fatimid Caliph in Egypt, ruling from 996 to 1021. ... Hamza ibn-Ali ibn-Ahmad was an 11th century Muslim preacher, and is counted among the founders of the Druze. ... The Shia Imam is considered by the Shia sect of Islam to be the rightful successor to Muhammad, and is similar to the Caliph in Sunni Islam only with regards to the aspect of political leadership. ...

The early Druze community faced a strong challenge when Muḥammad ad-Darazī declared Ḥakīm's divinity and claimed to be his chief messenger. It is said that Ḥakīm was angered by this and had Darazī executed. Meanwhile, Hamza and his moderate followers, who had rejected that Ḥakīm was the incarnation of God, received his favour and were protected until he disappeared one night in 1021. The Druze believe that Ḥakīm went into occultation and will return in the end of days as the Qā'im "Ariser" or Mahdi "Guided One". // Events Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, sixth Fatimid Caliph of Egypt disappears on a trip to al-Muqattam hills. ... Albrecht Dürer - Four horsemen of the Apocalypse Look up eschatology in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Al-Qāim (Arabic: القائم) is a messiah-like figure in Shia Islam, sometimes referred to as the Mahdi, but distinctly of a Shia tradition. ... The Mahdi (Arabic: ‎ translit: , also Mehdi; Guided One), in Islamic eschatology, is the prophesied redeemer of Islam, who will change the world into a perfect Islamic society before Yaum al-Qiyamah (literally Day of the Resurrection). The exact nature of the Mahdi differs according to Sunni and Shia Muslims. ...

After the death of Ḥakīm, the Druze were forced to move and use the (accepted) practice of taqiyya "dissimulation", whereby they conceal their true beliefs and outwardly accept the religious beliefs of those amongst whom they live even as they secretly retained their true convictions. In Shia Islamic tradition, Taqiyya (التقية) is the dissimulation of one’s religious beliefs when one fears for ones life, the lives of ones family members, or for the preservation of the faith. ...

The Druze have played major roles in the history of the Levant. They were mostly scattered in the Chouf Mountains, which is part of Mount Lebanon, and later the so-named Jabal al-Durūz (Mount of the Druzes) in Syria. The Levant Levant is an imprecise geographical term historically referring to a large area in the Middle East south of the Taurus Mountains, bounded by the Mediterranean Sea on the west, and by the northern Arabian Desert and Upper Mesopotamia to the east. ... Chouf (also spelled Shouf, Shuf or Chuf, in Arabic جبل الشوف Jebel ash-Shouf) is a historical region of Lebanon, and also an administrative district in the governorate (mohafazat) of Mount Lebanon. ... Druze were the main leaders of mount lebanon which was the main area in lebanon. ... Jabal el Dourouz (Druze Mountain, also known as Jabal el Arab) is an 1803-metre mountain in southern Syria, in the province of Souweida (mohofazat Souweida). ...

The Druze also played a major role in the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990). They organized a militia (one of the strongest and most atrocious militias in the War) under the leadership of Walid Jumblatt, (son of Kamal Jumblatt), in opposition to the Maronite Christian Phalangist militia of Bachir Gemayel in the Mount Lebanon area (especially the Chouf) where the Druze militia were successful in winning the war. A peace treaty was then signed between the Druze and Maronite leaders which has enabled them to live peacefully together and later led to them becoming allies. For the civil conflict of 1958, see Lebanon crisis of 1958. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... This article is about the year. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Walid Jumblatt (Arabic: وليد جنبلاط‎) (born August 7, 1949), is the current leader of the Progressive Socialist Party of Lebanon and the most prominent leader of the Druze community. ... Kamal Jumblatt (Arabic: كمال جنبلاط; (December 6, 1917 – March 16, 1977) was an important Lebanese politician. ... Maronites (Marunoye ܡܪܘܢܝܐܶ; in Syriac, Mâruniyya مارونية in Arabic) are members of an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Pope of Rome. ... The Kataeb Party, better known in English-speaking countries as the Phalange, is a Lebanese political party that was first established as a Maronite nationalist youth movement in 1936 by Pierre Gemayel. ... Bachir Gemayel, first name also spelt Bashir (Arabic: بشير الجميل), (November 10, 1947 - September 14, 1982) was a Lebanese military commander, politician and president elect. ... Chouf (also spelled Shouf, Shuf or Chuf, in Arabic جبل الشوف Jebel ash-Shouf) is a historical region of Lebanon, and also an administrative district in the governorate (mohafazat) of Mount Lebanon. ...

The Druze today

In Lebanon, Syria and Israel, the Druze have official recognition as a separate religious community with its own religious court system. Their symbol is an array of five colors: green, red, yellow, blue and white. Each color pertains to a symbol defining its principles: green for ˤAql "the Universal Mind", red for Rūħ "the Universal Soul", yellow for Kalima "the Truth/Word", blue for Sabq "the Antagonist/Cause" and white for Talī "the Protagonist/Effect". These principles are why the number five has special considerations among the religious community; it is usually represented symbolically as a five-pointed star. See Green for the color. ... Red is any of a number of similar colors at the lowest frequencies of light discernible by the human eye. ... Yellow is any color of light that stimulates both the red and green cone cells of the retina, but not the blue cone cells. ... Blue is any of a number of similar colors. ... White is a color, (more accurately it contains all the colors of the visible spectrum and is sometimes described as an achromatic color—black is the absence of color) that has high brightness but zero hue. ... 5 (five) is a number, numeral, and glyph. ...

Daliyat Al-Karmel, Israel Memorial to 355 Druze killed in support of the Israeli state

In Israel, Druze choose to vote in elections but usually identify themselves as Arabs (but not specifically as Palestinians)¹. Some of the Galilean and Carmelean Druzes are well known in Israel as “Israeli patriots”. Lately, Azzam Azzam, an Israeli-Druze alleged spy, has become (in Israel’s popular culture) the model of the “ultimate Israeli patriot”. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (887x602, 109 KB) Summary Druze memorial in Daliat el Carmel, Israel (John J. McGough) Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (887x602, 109 KB) Summary Druze memorial in Daliat el Carmel, Israel (John J. McGough) Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation... Daliyat Al-Karmel is a Druze town in the North District of Israel. ... The Arabs (Arabic: عرب ) are a large and heterogeneous ethnic group found throughout the Middle East and North Africa. ... The term Palestinian has other usages, for which see definitions of Palestinian. ... Azzam Azzam (1963) is an Israeli Druze who was convicted of spying for Israel by Egypt, and jailed there for 8 years. ...

However, many Druze living in the Golan Heights consider themselves Syrian and refuse Israeli citizenship, while the remainder consider themselves Israeli. In general elections, the majority of Druze villages have similar voting patterns as the general public. Sites on the Golan in blue are Israeli settlement communities. ...

Israeli Druze also serve in the Israeli army, voluntarily since 1948, and—at the community's request—compulsorily since 1956. Their privileges and responsibilites are the same as Israeli Jews; thus, all Druze are drafted, but exemptions are given for religious students and for various other reasons. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (Hebrew: צבא ההגנה לישראל Tsva Ha-Haganah Le-Yisrael ([Army] Force [for] the Defense of Israel), often abbreviated צהל Tsahal, alternative English spelling Tzahal, is the name of Israels armed forces (army, air force and navy). ...

In April 2006, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, Shaykh Mowafak Tarif, signed a declaration calling on all non-Jews in Israel to observe the Seven Noahide Laws as laid down in the Bible and expounded upon in Jewish tradition. The mayor of the Galilean and the city of Shfaram also signed the document ^{[citation needed]}. The declaration includes the commitment to make a "...better humane world based on the Seven Noachide Commandments and the values they represent commanded by the Creator to all mankind through Moses on Mount Sinai." Shaykh Muwaffak TarÄ«f (موفق طريف) is the current spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel. ... The Noahide laws are the mitzvot (commandments) that Judaism teaches that all of humankind is morally bound to follow. ... The Gutenberg Bible owned by the United States Library of Congress The Bible (Hebrew: תנ״ך tanakh, Greek: η Βίβλος hÄ“ biblos) (sometimes The Holy Bible, The Book, Work of God, The Word, The Good Book or Scripture), from Greek (τα) βίβλια, (ta) biblia, (the) books, is the name used by Jews and Christians for their... Galilee (Arabic al-jaleel الجليل, Hebrew hagalil הגליל), meaning circuit, is a large area overlapping with much of the North District of Israel. ... Shefa-Amr (Arabic شفا عمر Shafâ `Amr, Hebrew שפרעם Shfaram, unofficially also spelled Shefaram) is a city in the North District in Israel. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Support for the spread of the Seven Noahide Commandments by the Druze leaders reflects the Biblical narrative itself. The Druze community reveres the non-Jewish father-in-law of Moses, Jethro, whom Muslim Arabs call Shuˤayb. According to the Biblical narrative, Jethro joined and assisted the Jewish people in the desert during the Exodus, accepted monotheism, but ultimately rejoined his own people. In fact, the tomb of Jethro in Tiberias is the most important religious site for the Druze community. [4] Shoaib (Arabic:  ; also Shu`aib, Shuaib, Shuayb) is a prophet in the Quran. ... Exodus is the second book of the Torah (the Pentateuch) and also the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible), and the Christian Old Testament. ... Tiberias in 1862, the ruins reminiscent of its ancient heritage. ...

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 Parliament but L'Emir Talal Arslan won the seat because of Syria's influence over Lebanon during the Lebanese elections in 1992.
• Kamal Jumblatt founded the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party in the mid-20th century and was 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.
• Ayoob Kara, a Knesset member of the Likud party.
• Colonel Imad Fares, acclaimed commander of the Givati Brigade from 2001–2003.
• Major General Hussain Fares, commander of the Israel Border Police.
• Lieutenant General Salim Slim, commander of the Lebanese Judiciary Police.
• Azzam Azzam was accused of spying for Israel by Egypt and jailed there for eight years before being released in late 2004.
• The famous musician Farid Al Atrache, born in Syria's Jabal al-Durūz to Prince Farhan al-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. Al-Atrache 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 USA, is probably that country's most well-known figure of Druze heritage. About 20,000 Druze live in the United States.
• Sultan Basha al-Atrash was leader of the revolution against the French occupation of Lebanon and Syria in the 1920s. He is viewed by many Druze, as well as many non-Druze Arabs, as a symbol of courage and defiance to outside influence and occupation.
• Massari, named after the Arabic word for money, was born in Lebanon and has remarked that he is half Druze and half Catholic.^{[citation needed]}

Fakhr-al-Din II also the Great was a Lebanese prince, son of prince Qurqumaz from the Maan Druze dinasty and princess Nassab. ... Mageed Toufic ARSLAN (1908-1983) PICTURE PERSONAL INFORMATION: Name: L’Emir* Mageed Arslan, son of L’Emir Toufic Arslan, who, in 1920, was one of the founders of Greater Lebanon. ... Kamal Jumblatt (Arabic: كمال جنبلاط; (December 6, 1917 – March 16, 1977) was an important Lebanese politician. ... The Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) (Arabic al-hizb al-taqadummi al-ishtiraki) is a political party in Lebanon. ... Walid Jumblatt (Arabic: وليد جنبلاط‎) (born August 7, 1949), is the current leader of the Progressive Socialist Party of Lebanon and the most prominent leader of the Druze community. ... Salah Tarif is an Arab Druze Israeli who has been a member of the Knesset since 1992. ... The modern Knesset building, Israels parliament, in Jerusalem Though similar-sounding, Beit Knesset (בית כנסת) literally means House of Assembly, and refers to a synagogue. ... A Minister without Portfolio is a government minister with no specific responsibilities. ... Ayoob Kara (born December 3, 1955 in Israel) is an Arab Druze Israeli, and is currently a Knesset member of the Likud party. ... Likud (Hebrew: ליכוד, literally means consolidation) is a right-wing political party in Israel. ... Colonel is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... Imad Fares is an Arab Druze Israeli, and is a Colonel in the Israeli Defense Force. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... The Israel Border Police (Hebrew: משמר הגבול, Mishmar HaGvul) is the combat branch of the Israeli Police. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Azzam Azzam (1963) is an Israeli Druze who was convicted of spying for Israel by Egypt, and jailed there for 8 years. ... Atrash, Farid al- (1915-1974): Syrian composer, singer and actor. ... Casey Kasem (born Kemal Amin Kasem on April 27, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan) is an American radio personality and voice actor. ... Massari (born December 10th, 1980 in Beirut, Lebanon) is a hip-hop singer who grew up in Canada. ...

Beliefs of the Druze

The Druze faith keeps its tenets secret. They are publicly open about very few details of their faith (they practice taqiyya) and they do not accept converts and strongly discourage conversion from their religion to another. This is due to many religious, political and historical reasons: the Druze were violently and brutally persecuted for centuries by other religious communities. In Shia Islamic tradition, Taqiyya (التقية) is the dissimulation of one’s religious beliefs when one fears for ones life, the lives of ones family members, or for the preservation of the faith. ...

The Druze believe in the unity of God, hence their preference for the name "People of Monotheism" or "Monotheists". Their theology has a Neo-Platonic view about how God interacts with the world through emanations and is similar to some gnostic and other esoteric sects. They are not, however, influenced by the Sufi philosophy, as many believe. Theology is reasoned discourse concerning God (Greek θεος, theos, God, + λογος, logos, word or reason). It can also refer to the study of other religious topics. ... Neoplatonism (also Neo-Platonism) is an ancient school of philosophy beginning in the 3rd century A.D. It was based on the teachings of Plato and Platonists; but it interpreted Plato in many new ways, such that Neoplatonism was quite different from what Plato taught, though not many Neoplatonists would... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Esotericism is knowledge suitable only for an inner circle of the initiated, advanced or privileged. ... Sufism (Arabic تصوف taṣawwuf) is a system of esoteric philosophy commonly associated with Islam. ...

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, and 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. They reject polygamy, tobacco smoking, alcohol or consumption of pork, although pork and alcohol may be consumed in many non-religious and/or al-Juhl households. Past Lives redirects here. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Various smoking equipment including different pipes, mothe lungs. ... Bottles of cachaça, a Brazilian alcoholic beverage. ... Two halves of a pig being delivered Pork is the meat taken from pigs. ...

Druze religion does not allow them to intermarry with Muslims, Jews or members of any other religions. However, these rules are often disregarded in modern societies. A Muslim is a believer in or follower of Islam. ...

It is also known that Druze believe in five cosmic principles, represented by the five colored Druze star: intelligence/reason (green), soul (red), word (yellow), precedent (blue) and immanence (white). These virtues take the shape of five different spirits which, until recently, have been continuously reincarnated on Earth as prophets and philosophers including Adam, Pythagoras, Akhenaten, and many others. The Druze believe that, in every time period, these 5 principles were personified in 5 different people who came down together to Earth to teach humans the true path to God and nirvana, but that with them came 5 other individuals who would lead people away from the right path into 'darkness'. Immanence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... It has been suggested that portions of this article be split into a new article entitled Adam. ... Bust of Pythagoras, Vatican Museum, Rome Pythagoras (approximately 582 BC–507 BC, Greek: Πυθαγόρας) was an Ionian (Greek) mathematician and philosopher, founder of the mystic, religious and scientific society called Pythagoreans, and is known best for the Pythagorean theorem which bears his name. ... nomen or birth name Bust of Pharaoh Akhenaten. ... This article is about a Buddhist philosophy concept. ...

The Druze believe in prophets like Adam, Noah (Nūħ), Abraham (Ibrāhīm), Sarah, Jacob (Yaˤqub), Moses (Mūsā), Solomon (Sulaymān), John the Baptist (Yahya) and Jesus Christ (As mentioned above, in contrast to members of the other monotheistic faiths, they also elevate Shuˤayb, father-in-law of Mūsā, to the status of major prophet. They also believe in the wisdom of classical Greek philosophers such as Plato and Pythagoras. In addition, they have an array of "wise men" that founded the religion in the 11th century. It has been suggested that Adam (prophet of Islam) be merged into this article or section. ... Noahs Ark, Französischer Meister (The French Master), Magyar Szépmüvészeti Múzeum, Budapest. ... Tomb of Abraham Abraham (ca. ... Sarah (שָׂרָה Princess, Standard Hebrew Sara, Tiberian Hebrew Śārāh, Arabic: سارة, Yiddish Shóre) is the wife of Abraham as described in the Hebrew Bible. ... It has been suggested that Yaqub be merged into this article or section. ... Moses or Móshe (מֹשֶׁה, Standard Hebrew, Tiberian Hebrew Mōšeh, Arabic موسى MÅ«sa, Geez ሙሴ Musse) is a legendary Hebrew liberator, leader, lawgiver, prophet, and historian. ... Solomon (Hebrew, Shlomo from Shalom for peace, also Arabic as Suleiman or Sulyaman meaning peace) can mean any of the following: 1. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Failure of John the Baptist. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Father-in-law A father-in-law is a spouses father. ... A philosopher is a person who thinks deeply regarding people, society, the world, and/or the universe. ... Plato (Greek: Πλάτων, Plátōn, wide, broad-shouldered) (c. ... Bust of Pythagoras, Vatican Museum, Rome Pythagoras (approximately 582 BC–507 BC, Greek: Πυθαγόρας) was an Ionian (Greek) mathematician and philosopher, founder of the mystic, religious and scientific society called Pythagoreans, and is known best for the Pythagorean theorem which bears his name. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ...

Individual prayer does not exist. Druze are not required to follow the Muslim duties of prayer, fasting, or pilgrimage to Mecca but may do so, especially if it is dangerous for them if they do not. Maria Magdalene in prayer. ... This article is about the city in Saudi Arabia. ...

One of the faith's holy books is called the Kitābu l-Ħikma or "Book of Wisdom", largely compiled by a mysterious figure called al-Muqtana. It has six volumes and compiled in chapters each covering a specific issue. The teachings denounce materialism, especially materialism relative to religion. Chapter has multiple meanings. ...

ˤUqqāl and Juhhāl

The Druze are split into two groups. The outer group, called al-Juhhāl (جهال), "the Ignorant", are not granted access to the secret Druze holy literature. They form the Druze political and military leadership and generally distance themselves from religious issues. They comprise perhaps 90% of the Druze.

The inner group are called al-ˤUqqāl (عقال), "the Knowledgeable Initiates". Women are considered especially suitable to become ˤUqqāl; they are even regarded to be spiritually superior to men, a belief that greatly contrasts with the surrounding Christian and Muslim communities.

Druze women who are ˤuqqāl can opt to wear al-mandīl, a transparent loose white veil, especially in the presence of religious figures. They wear al-mandīl on their head to cover their hair and wrap it around their mouth and sometimes over their nose as well. They wear black shirts and long skirts covering their legs to their ankles. Male ˤuqqāl grow moustaches, shave their heads, and wear dark clothing with white turbans. Veils are articles of clothing, worn almost exclusively by women, which cover some part of the head or face. ...

The ˤuqqāl themselves are also divided into two groups; about 10% are al-Ajawīd, a term that means "The Good Ones (diminutive)". They are the leaders of the spiritual life of the Druze.

Druze places of worship are usually very modest and the Ajawīd lead very modest lifestyles. Prayer is usually conducted discreetly, among family and friends. There is little official hierarchy in the religious community except for the Shaykh al-ˤAql, whose role is more political and social than religious. A religious figure is admired for his wisdom and lifestyle. Shaikh (شيخ, also rendered as Sheik, Shaykh or Sheikh) is a word in the Arabic language meaning an elder or a revered old man. ...

Contradictory literature surrounds the Druze mainly due to adopted beliefs that were used to protect them from persecutors and due to the rumors and stories of outsiders. 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 because the Druze have followed these traditions for centuries in order to protect themselves. Many orthodox Druze hold that they should not follow these traditions, but should follow a different fasting tradition still practiced by religious figures instead. The Druze have other fasting traditions, such as fasting during the ten days before Eid ul-Adha, the last night of which is spent in prayer. The Druze fast is more difficult than the traditional Ramadan fast in that only one light meal is allowed in the evening. Ramadan or Ramadhan (Arabic: رمضان) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the holiest month in Islam. ... Eid ul-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى) occurs on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijja. ... Ramadan or Ramadhan (Arabic: رمضان) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the holiest month in Islam. ...

Notes

1. 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
2. Identity Repertoires among Arabs in Israel, by Muhammad Amara and Izhak Schnell; Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, Vol. 30, 2004

External links

• Lebanese Druze Community
• American Druze Society - National
• American Druze Society - Michigan
• Australian Druze Community
• South Australian Druze Community
• Institute of Druze Studies
• Israeli Druze Online - in Hebrew
• European Druze Society
• Druzenet: English Publications
• Canadian Druze Society
• www.mmouka.com
• Articles about Druze
• 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica article
• Rise and fall of the Syrian Druze
• Meeting Druze from all over the world
• Druse, Druze, Mowahhidoon described at the OCRT site