Simply explained
Drusen: What you believe where you live
In the Middle East conflict, the Drusen get between the fronts. But what is that religion that you attach and where do you live? Answers to the most important questions.
Hundreds of people from Syria, according to the outbreak of violence in the south of the country, have succeeded in fleeing to Israel. Israel’s army brought dozens back to the neighboring country on the night, reported the news page “Ynet”. Most are members of the religious minority of the Drusen.
What are Drusen?
They are a religious minority that emerged from Shiite Islam in the 11th century. Historically, the druses are connected to Islam. However, some of their beliefs differ fundamentally, so that they are considered to be a religious community. They describe themselves as “Al Muwahhidun”, in German: “Confessor of the Unity of God”. So they are monotheine who believe in the uniqueness of God.
So the Syrian youth celebrates and dreams
Departure into freedom in a Syrian way
Four boys pose on a back yard rave at the gates of Damascus. Parties existed in the Syrian capital at times of dictator Assad. Back then, especially to forget the horrors of the civil war
© Vedad Divović / Agency Focus / Stern
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What are your beliefs?
Drusen often interpret the Koran very differently than Sunnites and Shiites – and have their own Holy Scripture: the “sending of wisdom”. At the center of the Drusian faith is the doctrine of a divinely inspired and used imam. Imams are perfect people created according to God’s image who reflect the divine. The last acquaintance was caliph al-ḥākim (disappeared 1021). Drusen believe in the return of the Imam, which God’s kingdom will build on earth.
They also believe in soul migration, for example – something that does not exist in Muslim faith. It is said that the souls of the Drusen have been hiking from body to body for millions of years. They believe that everything is predetermined by God. You can only be born as a druse – so it is not possible to convert to drusism. Their traditional clothes are black: men wear white headgear, women cover up with white cloth hair and mouth.
Where do you live?
The majority of Drusen live in Syria, but also in Israel, Lebanon and Jordan. The Syrian province of Suwaida in the south is its stronghold. Around 153,000 Drusen are Israeli citizens. Outside of the Middle East, there is a Drusian diaspora, especially in North America and Australia. Around 10,000 of them live in Germany. One of the best-known Drusen is the human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney, the wife of the US actor George Clooney.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
