Druze

Druze

Druze An Islamic sect founded in the eleventh century by Fatimid Caliph al-Haki bi-Amr Illah, who has since been regarded by its members as an incarnation of divinity. The community has been organized hierarchically, along feudal lines, and has traditionally resided around Mount Lebanon. Tensions arose during the nineteenth century, when Christian Maronites were settling in the area. This culminated in 1860, when the Maronites were attacked and massacred by jealous Druzes, thus provoking French forces in Syria to intervene. Many Druzes migrated to the Houran Mountains in southern Syria, which became the new major Druze area of settlement (Jabal Druz). They enjoyed considerable autonomy under the French Mandate in Syria, and after the departure of the French Jabal Druz became a Syrian province. Meanwhile, in Lebanon they formed around 5 per cent of the population. They traditionally provided the Minister of Defence under the Lebanese communal constitution. However, their rivalry with the Maronites never subsided, and was reinforced in the 1950s, when they supported Nasser's pan-Arabism. Under the leadership of K. Jumblat and W. Jumblat, they became more radicalized, and formed a militia movement. At times in coalition with other Islamic groups, they scored considerable military successes against the divided and disorganized Maronite Phalange led by Jumayyil. They were uncomfortable with the Taif Accord of 1989, but tolerated the new government, mainly as a result of Syrian pressure.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

JAN PALMOWSKI. "Druze." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAN PALMOWSKI. "Druze." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-Druze.html

JAN PALMOWSKI. "Druze." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-Druze.html

Learn more about citation styles

Druze

Druze a member of a political and religious sect of Islamic origin, living chiefly in Lebanon and Syria. The Druze broke away from the Ismaili Muslims in the 11th century; they are regarded as heretical by the Muslim community at large.

The name comes from French, and derives from Arabic durūz (plural), from the name of one of their founders, Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Daraz¯ (died 1019).

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Druze." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Druze." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Druze.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Druze." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Druze.html

Learn more about citation styles

Druze

Druzeabuse, accuse, adieux, amuse, bemuse, billets-doux, blues, booze, bruise, choose, Clews, confuse, contuse, cruise, cruse, Cruz, diffuse, do's, Druze, effuse, enthuse, excuse, fuse (US fuze), Hughes, incuse, interfuse, lose, Mahfouz, mews, misuse, muse, news, ooze, Ouse, perfuse, peruse, rhythm-and-blues, ruse, schmooze, snooze, suffuse, Toulouse, transfuse, trews, use, Vaduz, Veracruz, who's, whose, youse •Andrews •Matthews • circumfuse • Syracuse •purlieux

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"Druze." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Druze." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Druze.html

"Druze." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Druze.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Druze and Jews in Israel -- A Shared Destiny?
Magazine article from: Middle East Policy; 10/1/1998
The Druze Between Palestine and Israel, 1947-49.(Book Review)
Magazine article from: Middle East Policy; 6/22/2003
The Druze in Israel: questions of identity, citizenship, and patriotism.(Report)
Magazine article from: The Middle East Journal; 9/22/2010

Facts and information from other sites

Druze images
Druze. Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)