DURUZ, MOUNT AD-

Arabic Jabal ad-Duruz, also spelled Jebel ed-Druz, French Le Djebel Druze mountain just east of as-Suwayda', southern Syria. Mount ad-Duruz rises to 5,900 feet (1,800 m). The name in Arabic means Mountain of the Druzes. The Druze, a sect derived from the Ismai'ilite branch of Shi'ite Islam, have been settled in the area of Mount ad-Duruz since the 11th century. There are some 120 Druze villages located on or near the mountain, among them Salah (Roman Salamanestha), the largest on the eastern slope, and Qanawat (Roman Canatha), on the west, the seat of the highest ranking jawwad (spiritual leader) in the locality. Qanawat is a place of pilgrimage for the Druze. The entire area of Mount ad-Duruz, which is located strategically on the north-south trade route, contains the remains of many Roman towns and forts.