| (Arabic: درزي, derzī or durzī, plural دروز, durūz; Hebrew: דרוזים, Druzim; also transliterated Druz or Druse) are a religious community found primarily in Lebanon, Israel, and Syria whose traditional religion is said to have begun as an offshoot of the Ismaili sect of Islam, but is unique in its incorporation of Gnostic, neo-Platonic and other philosophies. Theologically Druze consider themselves "an Islamic Unist, reformatory sect",[8]. The Druze call themselves Ahl al-Tawhid ("People of Monotheism") or al-Muwahhidūn ("Monotheists").
Druze are not considered Muslims by most other Muslims because they are believed to address prayers to the Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, whom they regard as "a manifestation of God in His unity." [9] Druze believe Al-Hakim did not die but went into occulation (was hidden by God) and will return as the Mahdi on Judgement Day.[10] The origin of the name Druze is traced to Nashtakin ad-Darazi, one of the first preachers of the religion. via search.com image Flag of Jabal el Druze (state)
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