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Download Full Paper A Conflict of Mystery and Identity: The Challenges Facing the Druze Michael Hajik Junior Scientist| Institute for Middle East Studies Canada Working Papers Series July 2015 ISSN 2291 -322X (Print) ISBN: 978-0-9918971-8-6 ISSN 2291 -3238 (Online) IMESC: is an independent non-profit, non-governmental organization founded as an initiative of a group of academics and activists in the academic, research and community work to develop policies and strategies for academic work and development in Canadian society; the idea of establishing the Institute has emerged to be the foundation of scientific information for those interested on region and the world at a time when Canada playing an important role in the international relations. The establishing of the IMESC also to have a safe place that encourages researchers in the region, as well as for the development of scientific research and studies relevant affairs of the region and their curricula; and provide analysis and future vision and strategy for service oriented international issues of fair and world issues of common interest, as well as work on building conscious generation that is faithful to the issues of humanity. For more information about IMESC, please contact: [email protected] Abstract The Druze are a religious minority in the Middle East that have faced several challenges such as persecution throughout their history. What are the challenges that the Druze face today? This paper proposes that the Druze face threat to their religious identity as a result of modernity and integration, as well as political turmoil and persecution. Content analysis of several studies of the Druze are used to collect data. In North America, a lack of religious infrastructure in the community prevents the development of Druze religious identity. Syrian Druze are faced with the threat of intolerance and violence as well as divided loyalties in the civil war. In Lebanon, there is a struggle for Druze autonomy. Israeli Druze are struggling to maintain their Druze identity in the breakdown of traditional communal structures and separation from other ethnic identities. Introduction The Druze are a faith based on an offshoot of the Ismaili sect of Shia Islam. Their population is roughly that of a million in adherents, and are primarily located in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel with smaller enclaves in Jordan, Canada, Venezuela, the United States, Venezuela, Colombia, and Great Britain. (Obeid, 2006) Given that they are a post-Islamic minority living in a mainly Sunni Muslim world combined with their exclusive and secretive practices, the Druze have faced and continue to face numerous challenges. The aim of this paper is to determine what those challenges that the Druze face today are. Hypothesis The hypothesis of this paper is that the challenges that the Druze face are that of persecution and social conflict particularly involving a disconnect in Druze identity. Political turmoil has been recently occurring in Syria and Lebanon. Given that the Druze have historically displayed loyalty to their © IMESC 1 individual countries , they have become involved in the politics of Syria and Lebanon even though they live in secluded communities apart from the rest of the population. This involvement in the conflict serves as a catalyst for their persecution. In contrast to Syria and Lebanon, the Druze have become greatly integrated into the Israeli community. Not only do they have members in the Israeli government, there is also a sense of admiration towards the Druze. This has caused friction with the other ethnic and religious groups present within Israel combined with the aforementioned issues in neighbouring Lebanon and Syria, especially with the 2 division in loyalties of the Druze living in the Golan heights . Furthermore, there has been strain within the Israeli Druze community as well as in North America due to the conflict between this level of integration and their inclusive ethnoreligious identity. Methodology This paper will use content analysis of previous qualitative and quantitative research on the Druze. Case studies will interpret the separate instances of the persecution and social conflict that the Druze are affected by. Literature Review Mordechai Nisan (2010) studied the Druze community in Israel. Nisan examined the nature of the community and determined the status of their identity in relationship with the rest of the community. Previous research regarding the Druze is cited such as interviews with Druze youth and historical analysis of the Druze, as well as comparative research on American immigrants is used as a framework. This study found that their emphasis on religious heritage and ethnic integrity has fostered loyalty to the Israeli state and politics, but has caused a disconnect with the other Arabs and Muslims of © IMESC 2 Israel. One key conclusion of Nisan's research is the that the status of a Druze overrides their status as an Arab. Overall, Nisan found that the Druze protects their interests while maintaining allegiance to Israel, revealing a complex pattern of values. (Nisan, 2006) Anne Bennett's (2006) paper “Reincarnation, Sect Unity, and Identity Amongst the Druze” explores the effects of the Druze belief in reincarnation, and how it impacts the Druze and their identity. Bennett (2006) performed qualitative research using 3 interviews and participant observation in two locations in Syria that host primarily Druze populations. It was found that reincarnation was still a popular belief amongst Druze; Bennett (2006) identified common key factors that arise when respondents allege an instance of reincarnation, and the emotional responses and consequences of that belief, namely ostracism by the rest of the Syrian community. SuBject and Analysis This paper will describe the challenges that the Druze face according to their geographic basis; Particularly the regions of Syria, North America, and Israel. This is because there are different historical and social contexts that must considered. For the purposes of this paper, religious identity is defined as the religious beliefs and values of an individual. Syria In the civil war that has been occurring in Syria for the past few years, there is a complex situation enveloping the Druze that stretches back to the 20th century. The Druze have had a history of rebellion in the Levant, from the revolt against the Ottoman Empire in 1838 and the French Mandate in 1929. (Schaebler, 2013) More importantly, several Druze were instrumental in the coup that installed © IMESC 3 the Baa'th party in Syria in the 1990s. (Gambill, 2013) This must be kept in consideration when analyzing the complex dynamic that is the Syrian Civil War. As for the allegiance of the Druze regarding the civil war, the majority of the group has attempted to stay neutral, although religious leaders have sided with President Bashar Al-Assad. Some Druze public intellectuals also did participate in 4 the original condemnation of Assad but did not call for participation in any uprising. However, some Druze individuals have been reported to join the rebels. For the most part, rebel leaders have encountered difficulty in recruiting the Druze to their cause. The majority of Druze that are fighting in the conflict are on the side of the government. It is important to understand that the rebellion is multi faceted being comprised of several groups with different methods, goals, and ideologies. Some of the extremist groups such as Al-Nusra and Daesh view the conflict as a sectararian war and have attacked other religious groups in the countries. Thus, the current government is seen as the better choice in terms of safety and protection Druze villages have been subject to some of these attacks. (Schaebler 2013, Gambill 2013) Thus far, there have already several challenges facing the Druze that have been revealed. One such challenge is the disagreement between the Druze community regarding their allegiance in the civil war. The Druze faith places heavy emphasis on strong social solidarity, a concept known as assabiya such as the finite amount of souls in the world, endogamy, and the fourth of hfiz al-ikhwan, or “protecting the brothers” amongst other things. (Obeid, 2006) Thus this creates tension regarding disagreement, especially in the exodus in joining the rebels and between the community and the clergy as social solidarity is compromised. This disagreement between the community and the clergy has great impact. The Druze faith, and Druze communities in the Middle East are hierarchical in nature. Religious leader © IMESC 4 often are also leaders of the community as well. This may result in weakening of social solidarity, thus fracturing the religious identity of 5 the Syrian Druze. Similarly, there is a challenge between the domination of either the Druze or Syrian identity of a Druze individual. However, the greatest immediate challenge is the war itself. As aforementioned, there have been several attacks on Druze villages by several extremist groups. These attacks are not necessarily motivated by strategy or tactics regarding the war effort, but simple hostility towards other ethnic and religious groups. In response, Druze villages have formed militas to defend against rebel incursions. Unfortunately, it is difficult to ascertain precise estimates of Druze casualties; One estimate places Druze casualties of those that fought for the government at three hundred lives lost. (Gambill, 2013) There has also been discontentment amongst the Syrian Druze community regarding their belief in reincarnation. Other Syrians are aware of this belief; Condescension is often a result. In response, the Druze have become reluctant to explain reincarnation to outsiders since they worry that it would obscure the deeper meaning of their faith. (Bennett, 2006) The deep meaning of the faith is extremely important to the Druze given that it is meant to be a mystical religion with emphasis on spirits and gnosticism, and other similar philosopicahl concepts. (Obeid, 2006) In this way, the belief in reincarnation has become a stigma in the eyes of both other Syrians and the Druze community.
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