| Druze (Druse, Deruzi)
History/Founder:
Druze was founded in the
eleventh century by al-Hakim, 6th Fatimid Caliph, as a reform movement
within Islam. The reforms proposed by al-Hakim never caught on to mainstream
Islam, and al-Hakim began to believe himself first to be a prophet,
and then, to be an incarnation of God. His
mysterious disappearance while riding led many to believe he had been
lifted directly into heaven.
Current
leader/governing body: Ajawid and Uqqul, learned initiates, are the de facto spiritual
leaders, but there is no formal hierarchy.
Number
of Adherents: About
one million worldwide, with the majority in Syria. Clergy:
The
Uqqul, learned initiates who act as spiritual leaders.
A very few
Uqqul
who are very learned become Ajawid, and are the spiritual leaders of the
community. Requirements
to join: One must be born into Druze in order to be initiated. One cannot
convert into the religion.
Church/temple: The
Khalwa, a simple, sparsely furnished
temple for prayers and getherings. Scripture: Druzes
accept as meaningful the Koran, the Judeo-Christian bible, and the writings
of Hakim.
Required
observances, dietary restrictions: Druze
adherents wear customary dark robes and white head coverings, and avoid
liquor and tobacco.
Code
of Conduct: The
Druze Code of conduct consists of seven principles:
love
of truth
loyalty to other Druze
renunciation of all other religions
Avoidance of evil and evil doers
Accept divine unity in humanity
Acceptance of the acts of al-Hakim
Obedience to the will of al-Hakim
Basic
teachings and Beliefs of Druze:
The
Druzes are strict monotheists. They revere Hakim as an incarnation of
God, and expect him to return one day. Druze are also unitarian, believing
all mankind to be divine. They believe in reincarnation and the spiritual
superiority of women. Symbols: A
five segmented star, symbolizing mind, soul, truth, will, and the material
world:
For more information on this and other symbols, please see Religious
symbols.
Famouse
Druze(s): Casey Kasem
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