Druze belief in The Middle East

Druzeism is an extremist sect founded by Wazir Hamza b. Ali during the reign of the Fatimid caliph Hâkim-Biemrillah (996-1021). Having a profound influence on the religious and cultural fabric of the Middle East, Druzeism has developed its own social and religious identity, spreading especially to regions such as Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. The sect has mystical and mysterious elements and has historically been surrounded by elements of secrecy and taqiyya, resulting in limited and sometimes contradictory information about the Druze. The Druze are a community that generally lives in mountainous and isolated regions. This geographical isolation has enabled the Druze community to preserve and develop its unique religious beliefs and rituals. The historical adventure of the Druze began in the 11th century with a long period of isolation in the mountains of Lebanon. This period deepened the religious practices and social structures of the Druze community and strengthened their identity. Towards the end of the 19th century, the Druze left the mountainous regions and spread to other Middle Eastern countries and even the world at large. This process led to significant changes in the social and cultural structure of the Druze community and enabled the sect to expand. More research and analysis is needed to understand the deep influence and social evolution of the Druze faith in the Middle East. Existing knowledge provides an important basis for understanding the origins of this faith and its continued existence to the present day; however, the continued pursuit of secrecy and autonomy makes it difficult to obtain clear and precise information about Druze. This study aims to examine the history, belief structure and social structure of Druze in the Middle East in an academic framework. The origins, beliefs, social organization, and geographical distribution of the Druze are examined in detail, providing a perspective that will help us understand the impact and evolution of this important Islamic sect in the Middle East. Keywords: Druze, Palestine, Lebanon, Middle East, Syria