The Druses of the Lebanon


Book Description




Historical Dictionary of the Druzes


Book Description

One of the most intriguing minority groups in the Middle East is now a thousand years old. It emerged in the city of Cairo, spread to what is today Lebanon, Syria, and Israel, and subsequently became known by outsiders as Druze (in Arabic, Durooz, meaning Druzes). Druzes have played a major role in the history of the Middle East and often been misunderstood by neighbors and outsiders because of their esoteric religious doctrine, the secretive nature that such a doctrine has instilled in them, and the variety of perspectives or divisions prevalent among members of the community. This second edition of Historical Dictionary of the Druzes covers their history through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 1000 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Druzes.







The Hidden Face of the Druze "The Freemasons of the East"


Book Description

Author of several writings on the Druze, Jean-Marc Aractingi former Ambassador, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Arab Masonic Council, lived his adolescence in the Druze mountain of Lebanon. He thus had the opportunity to get to know this community well through its religion and customs.But it is above all that he was among the few people to have had the privilege of possessing a copy of the original Arabic version of their sacred writings.This is how he was able, through his readings and research, to establish an analogy between their rituals and their symbolism with those of the high Masonic ranks, such as for example the symbolism of colors. This allowed him to recognize the mysterious representation of the Divinity through the color attributed to each "Minister" in hierarchical order.This book makes us discover, at the dawn of the announcement by the Druze of the advent at the beginning of the 21st century of their Messiah, this religion very rich in esotericism and which is at the crossroads of the mystics of all nations.Authors biography: Jean-Marc ARACTINGI is a Doctor, Engineer and Diplomat by training.Doctor in Theology and History of Religions from International Christian University (ICU), Engineer from AgroParisTech, former PhD student in Energy at École Centrale de Paris, he is also a 3rd cycle graduate from the University of Paris I- Sorbonne, from the Center for Diplomatic and Strategic Studies in Paris and former intern at the Paris War School.Freemason (33 °, 96 °, CBCS, 7 ° RO), he was exalted Master at the Grand Lodge of France in the Orient of Paris and a corresponding member of the famous Jean Scot Erigène Research Lodge of the Grand Lodge of France. He is currently Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Arab Masonic Council, World Grand Master of the Grand Orient Arab, High Dignitary of the International Sovereign Shrine of the Egyptian Rites of Memphis-Misraïm and member of the Directorate of the World Masonic Union of the 33rd degree of the AASR.Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Paul, Grand Cross and Grand Commander of the Order of Lafayette, he is also a Knight of the Order of the Temple and of the Order of Malta-Grand Priory of Russia.He is the author of several books on Freemasonry and on religious esotericism.




Historical Dictionary of the Druzes


Book Description

The Druzes are one of the smallest, least studied, and most esoteric religious communities in the Middle East because of the teachings' inaccessibility to both outsiders and uninitiated members within the Druze community. Furthermore, proselytizing has been prohibited since the establishment of the sect in the 11th century. In order to resist assimilation by the various empires and colonial powers that sought to dominate them (the Byzantines, Arab dynasties, the Mamluks and Ottomans, the British and French, in addition to the nations that govern them), the Druzes disguise and conceal their beliefs . Historical Dictionary of the Druzes contains nearly 1,000 concise and informative entries on religious, political, and cultural themes, as well as major families and individuals (artists, writers, diplomats, and leaders) who have contributed to Druze communities. Also provided are a chronology, introductory essay, bibliography, and several maps, plates, and genealogical tables.