The sudden death of 12 Druze children in a Hezbollah rocket attack on a soccer field in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights on July 27 has once again brought home to us how complex and age-old the structure of the Middle East is.

Who are the Druze?

The Druze are a small, distinct religious and Arab ethnic group that originated in Lebanon in the 11th century and became an important factor in the region. Although a branch of Islam, they follow a unique, secretive belief system that combines elements of that religion with Gnosticism and Neoplatonism, among other philosophies. Religious texts are available only to a select few. The Druze do not proselytize or accept converts, believing that their faith is hereditary, not something to be adopted.

The religion was founded by a group of followers of the sixth Fatimid caliph of Egypt, al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah. Al-Hakim was later deified by the Druze as a central figure in their belief system. The movement began with the teachings of the chief Druze missionary, Hamza ibn Ali ibn Ahmad. The Druze have a monotheistic belief system that differed significantly from Shi’a Islam. The early Druze were persecuted as a result of their deviation from Islamic beliefs, leading to the isolation of their community and the eventual cessation of missionary activity in the face of violent opposition.

The Druze established strongholds in the mountainous regions of the region encompassing Lebanon and Syria, where they continued to practice their faith in relative isolation for generations.

What are the basic beliefs of the Druze religion?

The Druze religion is characterized by strict monotheism and a belief in the transmigration of souls—which holds that human souls reincarnate in successive bodies. Central to their faith is the concept of al-Tawhid—the oneness of God—and the belief that al-Hakim is the incarnation of the divine. The Druze believe in the cyclical nature of existence and the eventual return of al-Hakim, who will establish universal justice.

The Druze do not practice the five pillars of Islam, nor do they observe many traditional Islamic rituals. Instead, their religious practices are largely secret and reserved for initiates known as uqqal (“wise”). Most of the community, called juhhal (“unaware”) are not initiated into the deeper teachings of the faith. The Druze avoid formal religious ceremonies and elaborate places of worship, and instead gather in simple buildings known as khalwas to worship and study together.

What is the Druze culture like?

Today, the Druze population is estimated to be over 1 million worldwide. Most of them live in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, where they are recognized as a distinct religious minority. Smaller communities can also be found in Jordan and the Americas. The Druze often play significant roles in the political and military spheres of the countries where they live, balancing their unique identity with national integration.

Despite this, they emphasize Druze unity and self-preservation in a historically unstable region, often living in tight-knit and insular communities. The Druze are known for their distinctive dress, especially among religious men, who wear white turbans, and women, who often cover their hair with white veils.

Culturally, the Druze adhere to a strong sense of tradition, emphasizing family loyalty, honor, and social cohesion. The Druze have a deep respect for education and knowledge, and many pursue higher education and professional careers. They celebrate few religious holidays, the most important being Eid al-Adha, which they celebrate quietly, in a way that is different from their Muslim neighbors.

How do the Druze live in the contemporary Middle East?

In terms of their political relations, the Druze have historically successfully navigated the Byzantine dynamics of the Middle East region in which they reside. In Lebanon, the Druze have played a significant role in the country’s political landscape, often allying with various factions and exerting considerable influence within the Social Progressive Party, and have been an instrumental faction in the Lebanese Civil War, remaining an important political force through their representation in parliament and other government bodies. The Druze in Israel’s Golan Heights, bordering Syria, are in a kind of limbo. They have been under Israeli control since 1967 and controversially annexed by Israel in 1981. Their allegiances have evolved and divided over the years, and their future status is uncertain. But they would be on the front lines of any war between Israel and Hezbollah.

In Syria, the Druze have historically been allied with the Arab Socialist Baath Party and have largely supported the Assad regime during the country’s brutal civil war. This has given them a degree of protection and autonomy, particularly in the volatile southern region of Jabal al-Druze, where they are a majority.

In Israel, the Druze community is also unique in that many serve in the IDF, which sets them apart from other Arab communities. They have a complex relationship there, balancing their loyalty to Israel with their Arab identity. For example, after a recent exchange of open letters expressing disagreement about the Gaza conflict with another Druze leader in Lebanon, the spiritual leader of the Druze in Israel, Sheikh Moafaq Tarif, stated simply, “We are Israelis and we are proud.”

Being politically pragmatic has allowed them to survive as a distinct community despite their relatively small numbers and the region’s turbulent history. However, ongoing conflicts in Syria and Lebanon have tested this relationship, requiring the Druze to constantly navigate a complex web of alliances and hostilities.

A war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon could plunge the entire region into conflict, complicating once again the delicate balance of the Druze nation. The 12 dead Druze children on a soccer field are a tragic example of how the Druze have been embroiled in conflict throughout their history — and will almost certainly continue to be.

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