The Druze

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The Druze

National Office, PO Box 291437, Davie, FL 33329

Alternate Address

American Druze Cultural Center, 2239 Merton Ave., Eagle Rock, CA 90024.

The Druze (or Duruz) community originated in Egypt in the eleventh century at a time when the Ismaili Shi’a Muslims had attained their greatest political success through the Fatimid dynasty. Some Ismailis began to view the caliph, al-Hakim, as a somewhat divine figure. He was considered the “imam” (leader) of the Ismaili movement. Among the leaders was Muhammad al-Darazi (d. 1020 c.e.). Following al-Darazi’s death in 1020 c.e., leadership fell to Cairo Hamza ibn Ali in Persia (Iran). Hamza began to see himself as the imam and al-Hakim as the embodiment of the Godhead. He began to organize followers in expectation that al-Hakim would claim his position openly.

Al-Hakim disappeared in 1021. Hamza told the followers that al-Hakim had merely gone underground for a while and would reappear in all power. The following year Hamza also disappeared. The movement faded in Egypt, although it survived and actually took on new life in an isolated area of Syria under the leadership of al-Muqtana. Al-Muqtana wrote many letters that, with a few surviving writings of al-Hakim and Hamza, would be compiled into the Druze scripture called Rasa’il al-Hikma, or the Epistles of Wisdom.

The Druze survived in the mountainous terrain and for centuries lived a rather closed and isolated existence. It emerged as a distinct social group with its own unique customs and beliefs. Converts are not accepted, and intermarriage is not allowed. The community is divided into the djuhhal, the ordinary members of the community, and the ukkal, the initiated religious members. The ukkals wear a special white turban. Leaders, drawn from among the ukkals, are termed shaykhs.

The religious life of the Druze is not wholly known to outsiders; even many of the faithful are not allowed to study the higher teachings of the faith. The Druze faith is a form of Islam with a mystical bent. There is a belief in reincarnation. However, Druze are most known for their strict moral code. The seven commandments include admonitions to (1) speak truth within the community; (2) defend and assist the community; (3) renounce any former religion; (4) dissociate from nonbelievers; (5) recognize the unity of “our Lord” in all ages; (6) be content with his actions; and (7) submit to his orders as conveyed through the community leadership.

Druze survival was frequently threatened over the centuries, because the Muslims treated them as heretics. During the twentieth century, as parcels of land changed hands, some Druze migrated to other parts of the Middle East and are now in Lebanon, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. Druze also moved to the United States in this century. By the end of World War II (1939–1945), enough had migrated to found the American Druze Society. In 1979 the society adopted a constitution that stated its purpose as the perpetuation of the Druze faith. Membership is open to any person of Druze descent.

The American Druze Society dates to a gathering in 1901 in Seattle, Washington, by a small group of Druze immigrants, which led to the 1911 incorporation of Al Bakourat Alderziet. A second branch was opened in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1916. Additional branches were established across the United States, primarily in the Midwest. In 1947, at a convention in Charleston, West Virginia, a more formalized organization, the American Druze Society, was created.

Membership

There are chapters in Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Texas, Arizona, and California. There are more than 5,000 Druze in North America.