Latest news with #MakramRabah
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Druze are a religious sect. Here's a look at their beliefs and history
The Druze religious sect, enmeshed in an outbreak of tit-for-tat violence in Syria, began roughly 1,000 years ago as an offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. Most Druze religious practices are shrouded in secrecy, with outsiders not allowed to convert and intermarriage strongly discouraged. More than half the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981. Here's a look at the Druze sect: The principles Druze live by A core social doctrine for Druze is defending their brothers, meaning defending one another, said Makram Rabah, assistant professor of history at the American University of Beirut. 'If a Druze person anywhere in the world needed the help of another Druze person, he would automatically get it,' said Rabah. 'You're part of a bigger community.' He stressed how social and cultural rituals keep the community together. 'They're a big tribe,' he said. Intermarriage is not encouraged. Rabah said mainstream Druze would shun people who marry outside the sect. 'You are under the risk of being isolated socially and community wise,' he said. How Druze have interacted with the Syrian government Syria's Druze have a long history of cutting their own path to survive among the country's powerhouses. They were heavily involved in revolts against Ottoman and French colonial rule to establish the modern Syrian state. The Druze largely celebrated the downfall in December of Syrian autocrat Bashar Assad but were divided over interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa's rule. The latest violence has left the community more skeptical of Syria's new leadership and doubtful of peaceful coexistence. In Israel, members of the Druze community had called for intervention to protect the Druze in Syria. But elsewhere in the region, Druze leaders have rejected Israeli intervention. Druze have armed militias Multiple Druze armed militias have existed for years, originally set up to protect their communities against Islamic State group fighters and drug smugglers coming in from the eastern desert. Assad reluctantly gave Druze a degree of autonomy, as they wanted to avoid being involved on the front lines. The Druze were exempted from conscription into the Syrian army and instead set up local armed factions made of workers and farmers to patrol their areas. Since Assad's ouster, the Druze have been reluctant to lay down their arms. The result is a cycle of mistrust, where government supporters paint Druze factions as potential separatists or tools of Israel, while government hostility only deepens Druze worries. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
The Druze are a religious sect. Here's a look at their beliefs and history
The Druze religious sect, enmeshed in an outbreak of tit-for-tat violence in Syria, began roughly 1,000 years ago as an offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. Most Druze religious practices are shrouded in secrecy, with outsiders not allowed to convert and intermarriage strongly discouraged. More than half the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981. Here's a look at the Druze sect: The principles Druze live by A core social doctrine for Druze is defending their brothers, meaning defending one another, said Makram Rabah, assistant professor of history at the American University of Beirut. 'If a Druze person anywhere in the world needed the help of another Druze person, he would automatically get it,' said Rabah. 'You're part of a bigger community.' He stressed how social and cultural rituals keep the community together. 'They're a big tribe,' he said. Intermarriage is not encouraged. Rabah said mainstream Druze would shun people who marry outside the sect. 'You are under the risk of being isolated socially and community wise,' he said. How Druze have interacted with the Syrian government Syria's Druze have a long history of cutting their own path to survive among the country's powerhouses. They were heavily involved in revolts against Ottoman and French colonial rule to establish the modern Syrian state. The Druze largely celebrated the downfall in December of Syrian autocrat Bashar Assad but were divided over interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa's rule. The latest violence has left the community more skeptical of Syria's new leadership and doubtful of peaceful coexistence. In Israel, members of the Druze community had called for intervention to protect the Druze in Syria. But elsewhere in the region, Druze leaders have rejected Israeli intervention. Druze have armed militias Multiple Druze armed militias have existed for years, originally set up to protect their communities against Islamic State group fighters and drug smugglers coming in from the eastern desert. Assad reluctantly gave Druze a degree of autonomy, as they wanted to avoid being involved on the front lines. The Druze were exempted from conscription into the Syrian army and instead set up local armed factions made of workers and farmers to patrol their areas. Since Assad's ouster, the Druze have been reluctant to lay down their arms. The result is a cycle of mistrust, where government supporters paint Druze factions as potential separatists or tools of Israel, while government hostility only deepens Druze worries. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Iraqi News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Who are the Middle East's Druze religious community?
Beirut – The Druze are a prominent religious community of more than a million people spread mainly across Syria, Lebanon and Israel, who for centuries have sought to preserve a distinct identity. In Syria, Druze fighters recently clashed with forces loyal to the country's new Islamist rulers, highlighting the struggles they and other minority groups have faced with shifts in regional power dynamics. 'The Druze are a kind of an ultra-tribe which transcends space and geography,' said Makram Rabah, assistant professor of history at the American University of Beirut. Despite being a minority in a majority Sunni Muslim region, the Middle East's Druze have played 'a very important role', Rabah said. Here is a look at the community: – Religion and customs – The Druze emerged in Egypt in the early 11th century as a branch of the Ismaili sect of Shiite Islam. They are monotheistic and call themselves 'muwahhidun', or unitarians. The sect is highly secretive and includes mystical elements like reincarnation. It does not allow new converts and marriage outside the community is strongly discouraged. A source familiar with Druze rituals, requesting anonymity to discuss matters considered sensitive, said the faith's emergence was influenced by other religious and philosophical teachings, including those of Greek philosopher Plato. Some Druze religious occasions align with those of other Islamic sects. Traditional Druze garb is black, with men wearing white caps or turbans and women covering their heads and part of their faces with a flowing white scarf. – Where are they? – 'The Druze don't really recognise borders,' Rabah said. 'You have marriages and you have standing relationships between the Druze across the region,' he said, adding that 'clerics play a very important role in keeping this relationship alive.' Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, the community was estimated at around 700,000 people. According to 'The Druze Faith' by historian Sami Makarem, Druze have been migrating to southern Syria since the 16th century, to an area now known as Jabal al-Druze, meaning Druze Mountain, in Sweida province. Syria's Druze are now mainly concentrated in their Sweida heartland, as well as nearby Quneitra province, with smaller pockets in the Damascus suburbs, notably Jaramana and Sahnaya, which recently saw sectarian violence. In Lebanon, an estimated 200,000 Druze are concentrated in the mountainous centre as well as in the south near Israel and Syria. In Israel, some 153,000 Druze are Israeli citizens, living mainly in the north. Unlike other Arab Israelis, Druze serve in the Israeli army. In the Israeli-annexed Syrian Golan Heights, more than 22,000 Druze hold permanent resident status. Only around 1,600 have become Israeli citizens, while others remain attached to their Syrian identity. Israel seized much of the Golan from Syria in 1967, annexing the area in 1981 in a move largely unrecognised internationally. The move separated extended families, though Druze in the annexed Golan were often able to cross into Syria to study, attend weddings or sell produce. Some Druze from southern Syria also settled in neighbouring Jordan, where the community is estimated at 15,000 to 20,000. Two delegations of Syrian Druze clerics have made pilgrimages to a holy site in Israel this year, even though the two countries are technically at war with each other. Outside the Middle East, Druze have migrated to regions including the Americas and Australia. Well-known Druze include prominent human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. – Leading role – Despite their minority status, Druze 'have filled an important and sometimes a leading role in the political and social life' of the Middle East, according to historian Makarem. In Syria, Druze Sultan Pasha al-Atrash led a nationalist revolt against the French mandatory power which had established a Druze statelet in southern Syria during the 1920s and 1930s. In Lebanon, Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt played a key role in politics from the 1950s until his 1977 assassination, and his son Walid is a powerful politician. Jumblatt last month urged Syria's Druze to reject 'Israeli interference', after Israel warned the Islamist authorities who ousted president Bashar al-Assad against harming the minority. Druze leaders have declared their loyalty to a united Syria, though some have called for international protection following recent sectarian violence. Israeli Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif has urged Israel to protect Syria's Druze. Rabah said there was a Druze 'power struggle across three states', adding that he believes Syria's community does not aspire to statehood. The Druze largely stayed on the sidelines of Syria's war after it erupted in 2011, focusing on defending their heartland. Most Druze armed groups have yet to reach a settlement with the new authorities.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who are the Middle East's Druze religious community?
The Druze are a prominent religious community of more than a million people spread mainly across Syria, Lebanon and Israel, who for centuries have sought to preserve a distinct identity. In Syria, Druze fighters recently clashed with forces loyal to the country's new Islamist rulers, highlighting the struggles they and other minority groups have faced with shifts in regional power dynamics. "The Druze are a kind of an ultra-tribe which transcends space and geography," said Makram Rabah, assistant professor of history at the American University of Beirut. Despite being a minority in a majority Sunni Muslim region, the Middle East's Druze have played "a very important role", Rabah said. Here is a look at the community: - Religion and customs - The Druze emerged in Egypt in the early 11th century as a branch of the Ismaili sect of Shiite Islam. They are monotheistic and call themselves "muwahhidun", or unitarians. The sect is highly secretive and includes mystical elements like reincarnation. It does not allow new converts and marriage outside the community is strongly discouraged. A source familiar with Druze rituals, requesting anonymity to discuss matters considered sensitive, said the faith's emergence was influenced by other religious and philosophical teachings, including those of Greek philosopher Plato. Some Druze religious occasions align with those of other Islamic sects. Traditional Druze garb is black, with men wearing white caps or turbans and women covering their heads and part of their faces with a flowing white scarf. - Where are they? - "The Druze don't really recognise borders," Rabah said. "You have marriages and you have standing relationships between the Druze across the region," he said, adding that "clerics play a very important role in keeping this relationship alive." Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, the community was estimated at around 700,000 people. According to "The Druze Faith" by historian Sami Makarem, Druze have been migrating to southern Syria since the 16th century, to an area now known as Jabal al-Druze, meaning Druze Mountain, in Sweida province. Syria's Druze are now mainly concentrated in their Sweida heartland, as well as nearby Quneitra province, with smaller pockets in the Damascus suburbs, notably Jaramana and Sahnaya, which recently saw sectarian violence. In Lebanon, an estimated 200,000 Druze are concentrated in the mountainous centre as well as in the south near Israel and Syria. In Israel, some 153,000 Druze are Israeli citizens, living mainly in the north. Unlike other Arab Israelis, Druze serve in the Israeli army. In the Israeli-annexed Syrian Golan Heights, more than 22,000 Druze hold permanent resident status. Only around 1,600 have become Israeli citizens, while others remain attached to their Syrian identity. Israel seized much of the Golan from Syria in 1967, annexing the area in 1981 in a move largely unrecognised internationally. The move separated extended families, though Druze in the annexed Golan were often able to cross into Syria to study, attend weddings or sell produce. Some Druze from southern Syria also settled in neighbouring Jordan, where the community is estimated at 15,000 to 20,000. Two delegations of Syrian Druze clerics have made pilgrimages to a holy site in Israel this year, even though the two countries are technically at war with each other. Outside the Middle East, Druze have migrated to regions including the Americas and Australia. Well-known Druze include prominent human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. - Leading role - Despite their minority status, Druze "have filled an important and sometimes a leading role in the political and social life" of the Middle East, according to historian Makarem. In Syria, Druze Sultan Pasha al-Atrash led a nationalist revolt against the French mandatory power which had established a Druze statelet in southern Syria during the 1920s and 1930s. In Lebanon, Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt played a key role in politics from the 1950s until his 1977 assassination, and his son Walid is a powerful politician. Jumblatt last month urged Syria's Druze to reject "Israeli interference", after Israel warned the Islamist authorities who ousted president Bashar al-Assad against harming the minority. Druze leaders have declared their loyalty to a united Syria, though some have called for international protection following recent sectarian violence. Israeli Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif has urged Israel to protect Syria's Druze. Rabah said there was a Druze "power struggle across three states", adding that he believes Syria's community does not aspire to statehood. The Druze largely stayed on the sidelines of Syria's war after it erupted in 2011, focusing on defending their heartland. Most Druze armed groups have yet to reach a settlement with the new authorities. kam/lg/ser
France 24
05-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Who are the Middle East's Druze religious community?
In Syria, Druze fighters recently clashed with forces loyal to the country's new Islamist rulers, highlighting the struggles they and other minority groups have faced with shifts in regional power dynamics. "The Druze are a kind of an ultra-tribe which transcends space and geography," said Makram Rabah, assistant professor of history at the American University of Beirut. Despite being a minority in a majority Sunni Muslim region, the Middle East's Druze have played "a very important role", Rabah said. Here is a look at the community: Religion and customs The Druze emerged in Egypt in the early 11th century as a branch of the Ismaili sect of Shiite Islam. They are monotheistic and call themselves "muwahhidun", or unitarians. The sect is highly secretive and includes mystical elements like reincarnation. It does not allow new converts and marriage outside the community is strongly discouraged. A source familiar with Druze rituals, requesting anonymity to discuss matters considered sensitive, said the faith's emergence was influenced by other religious and philosophical teachings, including those of Greek philosopher Plato. Some Druze religious occasions align with those of other Islamic sects. Traditional Druze garb is black, with men wearing white caps or turbans and women covering their heads and part of their faces with a flowing white scarf. Where are they? "The Druze don't really recognise borders," Rabah said. "You have marriages and you have standing relationships between the Druze across the region," he said, adding that "clerics play a very important role in keeping this relationship alive." Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, the community was estimated at around 700,000 people. According to "The Druze Faith" by historian Sami Makarem, Druze have been migrating to southern Syria since the 16th century, to an area now known as Jabal al-Druze, meaning Druze Mountain, in Sweida province. Syria's Druze are now mainly concentrated in their Sweida heartland, as well as nearby Quneitra province, with smaller pockets in the Damascus suburbs, notably Jaramana and Sahnaya, which recently saw sectarian violence. In Lebanon, an estimated 200,000 Druze are concentrated in the mountainous centre as well as in the south near Israel and Syria. In Israel, some 153,000 Druze are Israeli citizens, living mainly in the north. Unlike other Arab Israelis, Druze serve in the Israeli army. In the Israeli-annexed Syrian Golan Heights, more than 22,000 Druze hold permanent resident status. Only around 1,600 have become Israeli citizens, while others remain attached to their Syrian identity. Israel seized much of the Golan from Syria in 1967, annexing the area in 1981 in a move largely unrecognised internationally. The move separated extended families, though Druze in the annexed Golan were often able to cross into Syria to study, attend weddings or sell produce. Some Druze from southern Syria also settled in neighbouring Jordan, where the community is estimated at 15,000 to 20,000. Two delegations of Syrian Druze clerics have made pilgrimages to a holy site in Israel this year, even though the two countries are technically at war with each other. Outside the Middle East, Druze have migrated to regions including the Americas and Australia. Well-known Druze include prominent human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. Leading role Despite their minority status, Druze "have filled an important and sometimes a leading role in the political and social life" of the Middle East, according to historian Makarem. In Syria, Druze Sultan Pasha al-Atrash led a nationalist revolt against the French mandatory power which had established a Druze statelet in southern Syria during the 1920s and 1930s. In Lebanon, Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt played a key role in politics from the 1950s until his 1977 assassination, and his son Walid is a powerful politician. Jumblatt last month urged Syria's Druze to reject "Israeli interference", after Israel warned the Islamist authorities who ousted president Bashar al-Assad against harming the minority. Druze leaders have declared their loyalty to a united Syria, though some have called for international protection following recent sectarian violence. Israeli Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif has urged Israel to protect Syria's Druze. Rabah said there was a Druze "power struggle across three states", adding that he believes Syria's community does not aspire to statehood. The Druze largely stayed on the sidelines of Syria's war after it erupted in 2011, focusing on defending their heartland.
