Is Druze A branch of Islam?
Even though the faith originally developed out of Isma’ilism, Druze do not identify as Muslims. The Druze faith is one of the major religious groups in the Levant, with between 800,000 and a million adherents.
What is the Druze sect?
Druze, also spelled Druse, Arabic plural Durūz, singular Darazi, small Middle Eastern religious sect characterized by an eclectic system of doctrines and by a cohesion and loyalty among its members (at times politically significant) that have enabled them to maintain for centuries their close-knit identity and …
How many Druze are there in Syria?
The Druze are concentrated in the rural, mountainous areas east and south of Damascus in the area known officially as Jabal al-Druze. The Syrian Druze are estimated to constitute 3.2% of Syria’s population of approximately 23 million, which means they amount to between 700 and 736 thousand people.
Who founded the Druze religion?
Benjamin of Tudela
The Druze were first recorded by the 12th century Jewish traveller Benjamin of Tudela who described them as fearless, mountain-dwelling warriors who favoured the Jews. And by that time, because of earlier persecutions, their faith was closed to new followers and they opposed marriage outside of the Druze faith.
Can a Druze marry a non Druze?
This desire to marry someone within the faith is not just a preference—the religion prohibits exogamy. If a Druze marries a non-Druze, it will not be a Druze wedding, nor can the couple’s children be Druze—the religion can only be passed on through birth to two Druze parents.
Can Druze marry outside their religion?
Traditionally, the Druze have not been allowed to marry outside of their own faith. In recent years, however, records identify a few such marriages, but they have been Druze men married to non-Druze women. A Lebanese Druze woman would rarely, if ever, be allowed to marry a non-Druze man.
How many Druze live in Israel?
143,000 Druze
The Israeli Druze (Arabic: الدروز الإسرائيليون, Hebrew: דְּרוּזִים יִשְׂרְאֵלִים) are a religious and ethnic minority among Arab citizens of Israel. In 2019, there were 143,000 Druze living in Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 1.6% of the total population of Israel and the Golan Heights.
What happens if a Druze marries a non Druze?
If a Druze marries a non-Druze, it will not be a Druze wedding, nor can the couple’s children be Druze—the religion can only be passed on through birth to two Druze parents. There are no conversions into the Druze faith.
Can you convert Druze religion?
There are no conversions into the Druze faith. Muakkassa, of the American Druze Society, said that marrying someone non-Druze would never have been an option for her.
Who is the leader of the Druze religion?
The Druze, also known as the “Sons of Grace,” are a secretive, tightly-knit religious sect whose origins can be traced to Egypt a thousand years ago. They believe that God was incarnated on earth in the form of their leader, al-Hakim bi-Amrih Alla. The Druze do not have their own homeland.
What are the facts about the Druze in Israel?
Here are five facts about Druze in Israel: 1 Nine-in-ten Israeli Druze say they have a strong sense of belonging to the Druze community and about the same number (93%) say they are proud to be Druze. Roughly two-thirds say they have a special responsibility to take care of Druze in need around the world.
What kind of identity does the Druze have?
But when asked if their Druze identity is mainly a matter of religion, culture or ancestry – or a combination of these elements – roughly eight-in-ten say being Druze is either essentially about ancestry or culture (33%) or a combination of religion and ancestry/culture (47%).
Where can I find list of Druze societies?
These Druze diasporas have established communal associations, such as the American Druze Society, the British Druze Society, the Druze Association of Toronto, the Sidney Druze Society, and La Druzo Brazileiri.