Druses << DROOZ ehz >>, also spelled Druzes, are an Arabic-speaking people of the Middle East. There are nearly 1 million Druses. About one-third of them live in the Hauran districts of Syria. Most other Druses live in Lebanon, and a smaller number live in Israel. Some Druses have moved to the United States and Canada.
The Druses practice a secretive religion that is monotheistic (based on one God). Al-Hākim, a ruler of Egypt during the A.D. 1000’s, founded the religion. His vizier (minister), Hamzah ibn Alī, authored most Druze writings and teachings. An opponent, Muhammad al-Darazī, also helped spread the religion. He is now considered a heretic (person who rejects accepted belief). But the name Druse probably comes from Darazī.
Suffering severe religious persecution, Hamza Ibn Ali and his followers found refuge in the mountains of Syria, Lebanon, and what is today Israel. Druse communities remained secretive and cautious of outsiders. Since 1043, the Druses have not accepted converts to their religion. Today’s Druses are all descendants of the earliest Druse communities.
The Druses in Lebanon had little political representation before the 1990’s. They played a key role in fighting against the Lebanese government during the 1980’s. The Druses ended their fighting in late 1990. By 1991, they gained representation in Lebanon’s government in accordance with a 1989 peace agreement.
