Home World Understanding an Important Religious Group in Syria

Understanding an Important Religious Group in Syria

Syria is in a precarious place as it emerges from civil war and a long dictatorship. The recently announced removal of U.S. sanctions bring hopes that the economy might stabilize. Another challenge is Syria’s population— it is one of the most diverse countries in the Middle East and with that comes competing demands and priorities from various groups. NPR’s Jane Arraf takes us to southern Syria, near the border with Israel and introduces us to one of the biggest minority groups, the Druze.

Sponsor Message

Enlarge this image

A Druze woman holds her baby daughter at the shrine. Emily Garthwaite for NPR hide caption

toggle caption

Emily Garthwaite for NPR

A Druze woman holds her baby daughter at the shrine.

Emily Garthwaite for NPR

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Must Read

Iran attacks a U.S. base in Qatar

In this screenshot from a video, missiles and air defense interceptors illuminate the night sky over Doha after Iran launched an attack on U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday. Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Getty Images Iran's state-run news agency Tasnim said Monday that Tehran launched missile attacks on

For Independence Day, NPR wants to know: What does freedom mean to you?

The stars and stripes, the national flag of the USA flutters during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CF Monterrey and FC Internazionale Milano at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 17 in Pasadena, California. Stu Forster/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Stu Forster/Getty Images Nearly 250 years ago, the Founding Fathers

Israel strikes Tehran and Fordo site, as Russia backs Iran in deepening conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) greets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prior to their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Monday. Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP hide caption toggle caption Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP Editor's note: To follow breaking news about an Iranian attack on U.S. bases in the Middle

Key takeaways from the U.S. airstrikes on Iran. And, how Iran could respond

Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Today's top stories The Trump administration is defending its decision to strike three nuclear targets in Iran over the weekend. U.S. officials say the strikes

What are the wider repercussions of the U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites?

Enlarge this image WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation from the White House on June 21, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Carlos Barria/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Carlos Barria/Getty Images WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation from