In July 2021, Lebanon, and particularly the Druze Unitarian community, lost Sheikh Daniel Abdul Khaleq—a man of dialogue, knowledge, intellect, and moderation, and a prominent advocate for the primacy of reason and logic as urged by the “Tawhid” faith—after a battle with illness.
Abdul Khaleq, a native of Majdelbaana, was a professor at Sagesse University and an activist in the field of interfaith communication and dialogue. He passed away leaving behind dozens of lectures transcending sectarian boundaries toward the supreme human dimension. He had also served for a time in an advisory position at the Mashyakhat al-Aql (Druze Spiritual Leadership), representing it on numerous occasions both in Lebanon and abroad.
He entered Saint Joseph University in Beirut as a student, later becoming a lecturer and a doctoral candidate there. He joined its ranks in the 2005–2006 academic year, steadily earning one degree after another; he obtained his Master's degree in June 2015, titled: “The Cleric in Society: Transcending the Spiritual Role or Responding to the Needs of Lebanese Society? Spiritual Summits, Commitment, Initiatives”. He was also a PhD candidate at the university, researching “Religious Identities in Lebanon: Political and Social Influences on Their Formation – The Druze Unitarians as a Model”.
Mourning him at the time, the Secretary-General of the Al-Irfan Tawhid Institution, Sheikh al-Aql Sami Abi Al-Muna, stated: “True divine decree has been fulfilled, and Sheikh Daniel Abdul Khaleq has stepped down early from the steed of his life, which was brimming with piety, knowledge, and dialogue. He departed peacefully and contentedly after patiently enduring his illness, standing as a prominent beacon in a life whose spring was not fully completed, and an example in his unyielding patience and the piety he chose to live with an open mind. Our loss with your departure is immense.”
The “Adyan” Foundation also mourned him, saying: “Today, the Adyan family has lost someone dear to it, a preeminent figure of dialogue, and a sincere, loving man who left profound marks in building bridges of communication with the other, developing common ground, and viewing diversity and pluralism as a source of wealth.
Sheikh Daniel Abdul Khaleq left an impression and a noble legacy wherever he went, distinguished by a spirit of hope and optimism, even during his illness.”
The “Spiritual Gathering in Lebanon,” of which he was a member, also mourned him, stating: “He was a man of dialogue, openness, and spiritual enlightenment, a radiant beacon of giving, knowledge, and action. His departure is not only a loss for the Druze Unitarian community, but an overarching national loss,” noting that “the deceased was active in the field of interfaith communication and dialogue, a professor at Sagesse University, and had substantial intellectual contributions both in Lebanon and abroad.”
For his part, Allamah Sayyed Ali Fadlallah tweeted on his “Twitter” account, saying: “With the passing of Sheikh Dr. Daniel Abdul Khaleq, we lose today a generous scholar, a distinguished intellectual, and an impactful human being well known across forums of dialogue and rapprochement between religions, sects, and cultures. He lived the concerns of his homeland and his people, rejecting injustice, division, and fanaticism, and advocating for justice, openness, love, and dialogue. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, his loved ones, and his admirers, asking the Almighty to grant them patience and solace.”
