Narrative

The Druze religion is a remote one with followers located Lebanon, Syria, and Israel, who neither identify with Muslims nor Arabs, but have similar practices with the two.  The religion started as a political movement in attempts to reform Islam by Al bi Amrbi-Amr Allah, Hamza and Nashtakin-Al-Darazi, Darazi who is credited with deriving the name "Druze." The Druze teachings and practices are primarily secret and they do not reveal anything to outsiders, and they do not accept conversions into their religion due to fear of "bad people" getting in and leaking their sacred information to those who are unworthy.  They are monotheistic people, believing in one God who can become incarnate in humans.  They rely heavily on the unity of God and the power that comes with this.  In addition, they believe in human re-incarnation of members of their own Druze groups.  Wisdom is an extremely valuable quality for all Druze and the one they place above all other things.  They look up to greek philosophers like Plato for this wisdom.  The Druze have strict rules about intermarriage, smoking, and drinking: they are forbidden.  There is no religious hierarchy except for the "Sheikh A'el" (one who has achieved great wisdom), but even this figure more political than religious. Any prayer that is done is done privately in one's home.
Today the Druze have more concretely established themselves. In Lebanon, Syria, and Israel, the Druze are an established religion with their own religious courts, they can vote, and have their own army.  There are some conflicts however with Druze in Syria and Israel over which state they choose to identify with.  The number five is a special number to the Druze because their sacred symbols are made up of five colors with five sides.  Although they are not allowed some Druze do intermarry today with neighboring groups however whether or not the secret is shared with spouses is unknown.  Today there are Druze that reside in the Western world and these people have more freedom than their communities in the Middle East do.   The old customs are being replaced with new ones and intermarriage and conversion is the norm. This has allowed outsiders to become more aware and knowledgeable of their religion because they can openly see how it operates.  While this openness is going on, there are also many stereotypes and superstitions of Druze as well.  When the Druze were so secretive people began rumors which spread and grew, creating a bad image for the Druze.  They are easily mixed in with and confused for other religions, yet they need to be seen as an independent group because that is what they are that is what they have become.
My blog is a compilation of various media outlets and types of sources that give the complete picture of the Druze from images, texts, and understandings, this blog pieces together every facet of Druze faith into one clear composition.  With the majority of posts, a picture or comment accompanies them so that explanations and stories can be brought to life and physically seen or heard.  I have gathered the information that answered every one of my questions about this puzzling religion and that set the facts straight on practices and principles.  The purpose of my page is to receive snippets of information about the Druze that give a basis and foundation of understanding, but also leads to even greater understanding through provided links, images, and comments.

Primary Texts

Kitab Al Hakima (Book of Wisdom): This collection of books holds all of their religious texts, of which the first six are the most important and common.  These books hold information like "Al-Hakim's Ordinance Prohibiting the Use of Wine."  In this example Al-Hakim uses God as a reason and power for not drinking and explains why it is so "intoxicatingly" bad.  These and other books in the Kitab Al Hakima declare what one can and cannot do, and use God's goodness and love as something extremely desirable so that the forbidden "action" seems even more punishable, due to the fact one will get punished by God and by law.

Qur'an: The Qur'an is a sacred book to the Druze but they use it as coating to the Kitab Al Hakima and is not taken as seriously.  They pull pieces from it, but do not use it as frequently and intensely as Muslims do.  Al-Hakim was taught a range of subjects from the Qur'an including philosophy and astronomy, so it only makes sense that it is incorporated and intertwined to the Druze religion.

Popular Depictions

Lebanese Religions: The Druze, is a movie made in 2003 about the Druze religion.
There are also novels, such as The Druze in the Middle East, which tell about their faith and stories.
In addition, the Druze are stereotyped for being overly loyal to anyone.  While they are extremely loyal to the country to which they live they are not loyal to anyone in any war.  Most recently, Druze men have been refusing to fight in the Israeli army and war, and even go to say that they'd rather be put in prison than fight.  They feel that they should be able to have the choice and most choose no because the Israelis have taken away land and are facing a tougher economy than that of their arab neighbors.
http://www.imemc.org/article/66838

Major Figures

Al-Hakim (founder): He was the first Fatimid ruler to be born in Egypt, and succeeded his father at age 11 in 996 and he depended on his regiments for power because of his young age. He was a violent ruler with harsh actions as he persecuted Christians and Jews, and was even known to frequently kill dogs because he found their barking annoying.  He put bans on vegetables and some fish, showing that he ruled selfishly and to his own needs.  He did have a good side though, and helped people during famines by distributing food and creating religious support by establishing mosques.

An ancient depiction of Al-Hakim

Walid Jumblatt: Walid is the current leader of Lebanon's Druze community.  He is extremely smart and is also the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, which is father founded.  Walid graduated from the American University of Beirut as an avid politician with a degree in political science.  He was a reporter before gaining his strong leadership positions.  He was a strong supporter of Syria but since the start of the Syrian war in 2011 he has been against Assad and Syria.

Walid Jumblatt at a press conference

Fakhr ad-Din: Fakhr ad-Din was a Lebanese/Druze leader born in 1572 who united the Druze and Maronites.  Today, he is considered the father of Lebanon.  A civil war broke out when his father died and strongly wanted to help and unite the two groups. He had support of the Maronites, but entered a deadlock in battle for seven years when the Ottomans created false alliances, however he won and garnered Ottoman support.  The Ottomans didn't like his power though, so battled him and sent him into exile.  Despite this, he succeeded in his goal of uniting Druze and Maronites.

A holy card of Fakhr ad-Din

Women

The rights of Druze women are almost identical to men, and are preferred over men for joining the uqqal (group of sages), because they are more spiritually prepared. Women can request for a divorce just as easily as a man and their honor is the most important part of family life.  Since they are valued so much in the family, their social lives are not equivalent to those of men like they are in other facets of life. For this reason as well, women work inside the home, and wear the traditional garb consisting of a blue or black dress and a white veil or, mandil.  They have political and religious equality in their communities.

These Druze women are attending a funeral

These sites provide ample information on Druze women:
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/druze.html
http://www.muslimhope.com/Druze.htm
http://www.druze.org.au/religion/

Major Eras and Historical Development

The Druze religion began in 1017 a.d in Cairo.  Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (ruler by the command of allah) was the leader/creator who disappeared four years after the start of the religion.  While many believe that Al-Hakim died, the Druze believe that he is waiting to return and bring a golden age.  In 1291 they participated in their first revolt against the Mameluks, and in 1300 a.d the Sultan of Egypt defeated the Druze and forced them to conform to Sunni Islam.  They did this outwardly to protect themselves, but internally still practiced their faith.  In 1516 the Druze participated in the Arab stands against the crusades following the Ottoman conquest and controlled Antioch in their peak after successfully rebelling from the Turks twice.  They prospered as powerful vassals until their lebanese leader was driven out and taken to Italy.  During the 19th century the Druze were faced with conflict and triumph.  Early on, they dominated the Lebanese aristocracy under the ruling of the Shihab family.  However in 1860 the Druze-Maronite conflict occurred, in which the Druze won the war and controlled/gained territory, but soon lost it in 1896 after being defeated by the Turks.  The Druze religion began to blossom in the 20th century when their faith developed largely in Lebanon and throughout the Arab World.  In 1925, the Druze revolt took place as an uprising of tribes in lebanon and syria against French mandatory officials attempting to upset their traditions and beliefs led to a large fight.  The Druze were able to maintain their traditions, prevailing over the French. During World War I the Druze assisted Britain against the Turks and fully rebelled from the French, who attempted to take over again in WWI, in 1925. Since then, the Druze have been of help in other wars for ally countries.

This image depicts a Druze unit marching in a parade after winning a battle in 1949.

The Druze flag and star are the most prominent symbols, and contain meaning behind their colors

Symbols

The main and only Druze symbol is the Druze star and flag, since they disprove of iconography.  The star and flag are made up of five colors: red(the soul), blue(mental power of the will), green(the mind), yellow(the word), and white(realization of the blue and is materialized).  Each color has a specific meaning that pertains to a metaphysical power known as Haad, which literally means limit.  Rituals pertaining to these ideas are symbolic themselves because they create an individualistic effect by allowing one to grow mentally.  Some of these rituals include not smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol.

This image shows the celebrations of eid al adha 

Calendar

In accordance with their isolation life style, the observance of holidays is not important to the Druze.  They do hold religious festivals though yearly in which most celebrate joyously and recognize holy men and women and prophets.  With this being said, there is one Islamic holiday that the Druze to participate in and that is Eid al Adha.  They see this holiday as a time to give thanks to God for his mercy and kindness.  Eid al Adha occurs at the end of the hajj, or the pilgrimage to mecca, and is a festival of sacrifice. It marks the moment when the Lord came to Abraham and told him to sacrifice his son.  Many like to sacrifice an animal in commemoration of this in addition to celebrations in the streets.

Primary Practices

The Druze have seven pillars to which they hold sacred and make up their moral system.  The seven Pillars:  speaking the truth within, helping the community, abandoning false beliefs, avoidance of confusion and evil, accept divine unity in humanity, acceptance of al-Hakim's acts, submission in accordance to al-Hakim's will.  In addition, the Druze do not accept converts and only the initiated can read the Druze writings and attend secret rituals.  If the Druze fear that their religion is a threat to their lives or because of military conflicts, then they can and will deny their faith and/or pretend to practice the majority religion wherever they are.

A Druze Temple where rituals are held

A book explaining the pillars of Islam

Their practices are various Jewish, Christian, Gnostic, Neoplatonic, and Iranian elements, however, are combined under a doctrine of strict monotheism, believing    that God had manifested himself as Al-Hakim Bi-amr allah.  They believe in the transmigration of the soul, and work hard in live to ensure this goes smoothly after death. Druze hold the Qur'an to be sacred, but look upon it as an outer shell, holding an "inner, esoteric meaning" and do not read from it daily, in fact they do not practice reading a creed or in obtaining multiple wives and fasting. Their religious texts are known collectively as "Kitab Al Hikma", the book of wisdom.  The Druze believe that prayer and ritual are unnecessary, and consider it to be a state of being, not something that one does at different parts of the day

(Left: A woman surrounded by cloth in the shape of prayer hands showing that prayer is a part of us)

The Red areas indicate the highest concentration of Druze communities throughout the world.

This map shows the areas where the Druze reside in the Middle East 

Geography

The Druze is a sect of Islam and small off shoot of the shi'ite community in the middle east, particularly in Lebanon, Syria, and Northern Israel, with a small percentage in Jordan.  Druze do not seek their own country, they go wherever they are taken. However once there, they are loyal to the country which allows them and now governs them.  They are known to be the the best warriors in their homeland because they are not afraid to die. Ninety percent of Druze are farmers who live in mountain villages Syria and Lebanon, who use the higher ground as a defense tactic.  Linguistically, the Druze blend with the Arabs who are their neighbors.  Outside of the Middle East, the last 10% of the Druze, reside in North and South America, and the smaller of these communities are located in Australia, West Africa, and Western Europe.