The Druze are a monotheistic, Abrahamic religious group numbering around one million adherents. Most live in Syria and Lebanon, but smaller numbers reside in Jordan Palestine-Israel, and outside of the Middle East.. The Druze community is divided into the initiated (uqqal) Religious people , and the ‘ignorants’ or uninitiated (juhhal)who are not religiously observant. The latter (juhhal) form the largest part of the Druze community (about 80%). This differentiation is also visible in our way they dressed. The ‘ignorants’ (juhhal) could wear colours, while the initiated (uqqal) wore black and white. Apart from that, our manner of dress did not stand out colourwise from that of other neighbouring communities – in line with the concept of taqiya. Today, uninitiated men (juhhal) often wear Western-style clothing, while the initiated generally (uqqal) maintain the more traditional style.

A glimpse of some famous Druze

Fakhr al-Din ibn Qurqumaz ibn Yunus Ma’n (c. 1572–March or April 1635), also known as Fakhr al-Din II, was an emir of the Druze, and he is regarded by the Lebanese people as the founder of the country.

Shakib Arslan (25 December 1869 – 9 December 1946) was a Druze prince (amir) from modern-day Lebanon addition to being a politician, he was also an influential writer, poet and historian.

Sultan Pasha al-Atrash, (March 5, 1891 – March 26, 1982) ,  was a prominent Arab Druze leader, Syrian nationalist and Commander General of the Syrian Revolution (1925–27). He fought against the French. One of the most influential figures in Syrian and Druze history, he played a major role in deciding the destiny of Jabal al-Druze and of Syria in general.

Kamal Fouad Jumblatt  )6 December 1917 – 16 March 1977) was a Lebanese politician who founded the Progressive Socialist Party. He has authored more than 40 books centered on various political, philosophical, literary, religious, medical, social, and economic topics.In September 1972, Kamal Jumblatt received the International Lenin Peace Prize.

Samīħ al-Qāsim al Kaissy 1939 – August 19, 2014), was a Palestinian Druze poet whose work is well known throughout the Arab world

Farid al-Atrash ( October 19, 1910 – December 26, 1974),  was a Syrian-Egyptian composer, singer

Asmahān (Amal al-Atrash) )November 25, 1912 – July 14, 1944), was a Syrian singer

Fahd Ballan  (22 March 1933 – 24 December 1997) ,was a popular Syrian Druze singer

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