Druze

The Druze are a religious group that combines elements of Islam, Christianity, and other traditions, referring to themselves as Unitarians. Drawing inspiration from various traditions, they interpret such stories as Creation as metaphorical and eschew traditions and rituals such as fasting and prayers, preferring to abide by the moral statutes of the religion. The Druze do not accept converts, supposing that all living people are reincarnations of people who previously rejected the faith.

The Druze number about a million people, living mainly in western Syria and Lebanon, with significant populations also in Israel, Jordan, and overseas. Druze traditionally blend in with the predominant religion, usually Islam or Christianity, to avoid persecution. Since the fall of the Ottoman Empire, there has been decreasing persecution, but adherents are still rather secretive about the fulness of their religion. Following decolonization, the Druze generally opposed pan-Arabism, some fighting for Israeli independence.

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