What does the Druze religion believe in?
Druze believe in theophany and reincarnation. Druze believe that at the end of the cycle of rebirth, which is achieved through successive reincarnations, the soul is united with the Cosmic Mind (al-ʻaql al-kullī). Even though the faith originally developed out of Isma’ilism, Druze do not identify as Muslims.
Do the Druze celebrate Ramadan?
The Druze faith does not follow the Five Pillars of Islam, such as fasting during the month of Ramadan, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca. “The Druze follow a lifestyle of isolation where no conversion is allowed, neither out of, or into, the religion.
How did Druze begin?
The Druze faith originated in Egypt as an offshoot of Ismaʿīlī Shīʿism when, during the reign of the sixth Fāṭimid caliph, the eccentric al-Ḥākim bi-Amr Allāh (ruled 996–1021), some Ismaʿīlī theologians began to organize a movement proclaiming al-Ḥākim a divine figure.
Is it haram to marry a Druze?
Inter-marriage between the different religions is frowned up generally and Lebanon has no civil marriage ceremony. For the Druze, a vulnerable minority who keep their religion secret, marrying someone from a different faith is strictly forbidden.
Who are the Druze in the Lebanese Parliament?
Lebanese Druze. Under the Lebanese political division (Parliament of Lebanon Seat Allocation) the Druze community is designated as one of the five Lebanese Muslim communities (Sunni, Shia, Druze, Alawi, and Ismaili). Lebanon’s constitution was intended to guarantee political representation for each of the nation’s ethno-religious groups.
Where are the Druze located in the world?
The communities are located along the western edges of the Lebanon Mountains as well as in the southeastern portion of the country, and the total Druze population numbers well over 300,000. The Druze have wielded significant political power in the country since its independence.
Where do the majority of Druses live in the world?
Worldwide there may be up to 1 million Druses, most of whom reside in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Jordan. Smaller communities exist around the world. About 20,000 Druses live in the United States; the American Druze Society will hold its 59 th Annual American Druze Convention later this year in Miami Biscayne, Fla.
What was the role of the Druze in the Levant?
The Druze community played a critically important role in shaping the history of the Levant, where it continues to play a significant political role. As a religious minority in every country in which they are found, they have frequently experienced persecution by different Muslim regimes.
