A large number of leaders and celebrities have spoken about the Druze Monotheists. Here is a selection of the most notable things said about them:
General Charles de Gaulle, President of the French Republic
During a visit to Brazil by the French President General Charles de Gaulle, while the trial of Nawaf Ghazaleh—who assassinated Colonel Adib Shishakli there—was taking place, de Gaulle was asked for his opinion on the Druze community. His response served as a powerful testimony that greatly reduced the prison sentence for Nawaf Ghazaleh. General de Gaulle said, "The Druze community is among the most honorable and generous of Arabs. Their homes and guesthouses are free hotels and cafes. They love the truth and would die for it. They do not transgress against anyone, nor do they sleep under oppression. They protect guests and those seeking refuge with their blood, sacrificing everything precious for their dignity, and protecting them is a sacred duty for them. Their customs and traditions are among the most honorable... We fought them, but they defeated us. The French army was never humiliated except before the Druze community, despite all the victories it achieved in the greatest decisive battles."
French Historian Bugey Saint-Pierre
The French historian Bugey Saint-Pierre said of the Druze: "The Monotheists are a people with pure hearts, enlightened minds, lovely emotions, patient, energetic, upright, honest, and humanitarian. They hold onto their ideals to the point of superstition; they never break a promise and never betray."
Scholar Kurd Ali
The scholar Kurd Ali said of the Druze: "The Monotheists preserve their original Arab customs and morals of pride, loyalty, good companionship, generosity, helping the distressed, protecting those seeking refuge, chivalry, and gallantry."
Italian Princess Belgiojoso:
The Italian Princess Belgiojoso said, as recorded in the book 'The Druze' by its author Boron, translated by Adel Takieddine: "I stayed in the Druze mountain for three years, and we were three Western women. During these years, none of us heard a single word or saw a suspicious gesture, nor did we feel any mistrust that would make our faces blush, because the Monotheist would die to defend honor."
French Leader Napoleon Bonaparte
The historical French leader Napoleon Bonaparte said: "When I was besieging Acre, a group of Monotheist knights led by Sheikh Omar Zaher came to me. I was amazed by their manhood, determination, and faith in their cause. I felt a strong attraction toward them and a powerful urge that drew me to each one of them. I wished they were French so that I could fight the whole world with them."
French Poet Lamartine
The French poet Lamartine said: Generosity and hospitality among the Monotheists are sacred, as is protecting the guest and the one seeking refuge, which is the hallmark of their lives. For this, they sacrifice themselves. This is what happened after the Battle of Navarino when some Europeans fled to them to escape the Turks; they protected them, keeping them safe and secure, despite us being their enemies, because their moral motto states that all people are brothers. This is what the Bible tells us, yet they preserve it and act upon it more than we do.
Poet of the Nile, Hafez Ibrahim
The Poet of the Nile, Hafez Ibrahim, said: "They scorned humiliation in this world, for to them, the pride of life and the pride of death are one and the same."
English Historian Nimri
The English historian Nimri said: The Druze are, truly, the most lethal minority on the face of the earth.
Boutros Al-Bustani
The teacher Boutros Al-Bustani said: They practice self-restraint, chastity, and truthfulness of speech, avoid vulgarity and obscenity, and refuse illicit money.
Dr. Muhammad Ali Al-Zaabi
Dr. Muhammad Ali Al-Zaabi said that truthfulness, chivalry, jealousy (for honor), aid, gallantry, protecting the neighbor, and deterring injustice are Arab-Islamic traits firmly established in the Druze Monotheists, running through their generations like blood ever since their ancestors pledged allegiance to the Messenger of God (PBUH). The noble Arab virtues have descended through the Druze, and the purity of their Arab lineage and the guidance of their sect have helped preserve them.
Belgian Writer Christovecs
The Belgian writer Christovecs said: The Druze are energetic mountaineers who have preserved their independence and refused to submit to any foreign prince.
Frenchman Bigeard Saint-Pierre
The Frenchman Bigeard Saint-Pierre said: "The Druze are a people with pure hearts, enlightened minds, lovely emotions, patient, energetic, upright, honest, and humanitarian. They hold onto their ideals to the point of superstition."
