Palestine / Israel: Druze farmers of Mount Carmel sharing a meal, c. 1900

The Druze (Arabic: derzī or durzī‎, plural durūz, Hebrew:‎ druzim) are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism, that incorporated several elements of Gnosticism, Neoplatonism and other philosophies. The Druze call themselves Ahl al-Tawhid (People of Unitarianism or Monotheism) or al-Muwaḥḥidūn (Unitarians, Monotheists), in-which the official name of the sect is al-Muwaḥḥidūn al Dururz (The Unitarian Druze).

The Institute of Druze Studies estimates that 40% –50% of Druze live in Syria, 30% – 40% in Lebanon, 6% – 7% in Israel, and 1% – 2% in Jordan.

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