Druze in Syria
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 500,000 - 700,000 | |
| Languages | |
| Vernacular: Syrian Arabic |
|
| Religion | |
| Druze |
Druze in Syria refers to adherents of the Druze faith, an ethnoreligiousesoteric group originating from the Near East who self identify as (Muwahhideen).
The Syrian Druze people are believed to constitute about 3% of the total population of Syria. The Syrian Druze accounted for an estimated 3 percent of the population (approximately 500 thousand persons). Other sources claim that the Syrian Druze community numbers 700,000. The Druze, who refer to themselves as Al-Muwahideen, or "believers in one God," are concentrated in the rural, mountainous areas east and south of Damascus in the area known officially as Jabal al-Arab or Jabal al-Druze.
The Druze faith is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion that does not follow the Five Pillars of Islam, "fasting during the month of Ramadan and making a pilgrimage to Mecca. Thus, they are not regarded by Muslims as Islamic". The Druze beliefs incorporate elements of Ismailism, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism and other philosophies. The Druze call themselves Ahl al-Tawhid "People of Unitarianism or Monotheism" or al-Muwaḥḥidūn."
The Druze follow a life style of isolation where no conversion is allowed, neither out of, nor into, the religion. When Druze live among people of other religions, they try to blend in, in order to protect their religion and their own safety. They can pray as Muslims, or as Christians, depending on where they are. This system is apparently changing in modern times, where more security has allowed Druze to be more open about their religious belonging."
The Tanukhids inaugurated the Druze community in Syria when most of them accepted and adopted the new message that was being preached in the 11th century, due to their leaderships close ties with then Fatimid ruler Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah.
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Wikipedia