The History of the Druze: in Lebanon, Syria and Palestine

Survival for Middle Eastern religious minorities proved nearly impossible, but for one, it became a hard-won battle through a millennium of conflict, resistance, and unyielding faith. The Druze people stand as a powerful testament to extraordinary resilience, enduring as a religious minority in the strife-ridden Levant. Over the centuries, they faced invasions, totalitarian empires, and unrelenting conflict—yet they somehow managed to preserve their cultural identity, traditions, and religion and spirituality while revealing little of their story to the outside world. And until now, historians have struggled to uncover the shroud of mystery surrounding them. In this compelling history book, author Sami Salman—drawing from his Druze heritage, archival material, and overlooked historical facts—illuminates their profound journey. He traces their history from the eleventh century through the Crusades, resistance to the Ottoman and French mandates, fierce rebellion that sparked the Great Syrian Revolt, decisive role in the 1948 Palestine War, and other pivotal events shaping Middle Eastern history. This historical nonfiction is for those captivated by Middle Eastern history but also by stories of profound resilience, cultural identity, and faith amid adversity.