Who are Alawites in Syria?

Who are Alawites in Syria?

Alawites form the dominant religious group on the Syrian coast and towns near the coast, which are also inhabited by Sunnis, Christians, and Ismailis. They are often confused with the Alevis, a distinct religious sect in Turkey. At the core of Alawite belief is a divine triad, comprising three aspects of the one God.

What is the difference between Shia and Alawite?

Alawites identify as Shiite Muslims, but the sect carried over older beliefs that predate Islam. For instance, Alawites celebrate some Christian and Zoroastrian holidays. They believe in the divinity of Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad; other Shiites revere Ali but do not believe he was divine.

Where do the Druze live in Syria?

The Druze are concentrated in the rural, mountainous areas east and south of Damascus in the area known officially as Jabal al-Druze. The Syrian Druze are estimated to constitute 3.2% of Syria’s population of approximately 23 million, which means they amount to between 700 and 736 thousand people.

Are Shias allowed in Mecca?

Both Sunni and Shia Muslims share the same five pillars of Islam, the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, Ramadan, the prayer, Chahada, and Zakat. However, Saudia Arabia has forbidden Shia Muslims to perform the sacred Hajj pilgrimage. If individuals refused to identify, they were not allowed in Mecca.

Is Iran the only Shia country?

Iran is unique in the Muslim world because its population is overwhelmingly more Shia than Sunni (Shia constitute 95% of the population) and because its constitution is theocratic republic based on rule by a Shia jurist.

Who was the leader of the Alawites in Syria?

The Alawites moved to Syria (specifically the area of modern day Aleppo) under the dynasty of Sayf al-Dawla al-Hamadani (890-1004), who spread the religious Alawite beliefs and was influenced by Hussein bin Hamdan al-Khusaibi (874-961), an Alawite scholar who helped to found the Alawite practices.

Who are the Alawites and what do they believe?

The Alawis, also rendered as Alawites (Arabic: علوية‎ Alawiyyah/Alawīyah), are a sect of Ghulat branch of Shia Islam. primarily centred in Syria. The eponymously-named Alawites revere Ali (Ali ibn Abi Talib), considered the first Imam of the Twelver school. However, they are generally considered to be ghulat by Shia Islam.

How many Alawites are there in the world?

Somewhere between 1.5 and 3 million Syrian citizens identify as Alawites (also known as Alawis) 1. 2. , approximately 12% of the total population of Syria.

Who are the Sunnis and Alawites in Syria?

Rather, it intends to shed light on one of the key religious groups in the Syrian conflict: the Alawites, a minority group that has been ruling over a majority Sunni population for decades. In modern times, the Alawites have resided mainly in Syria although minority groups exist in both Turkey and Lebanon.