Alawites

The Alawites, also spelled Alawis or Nusairis, are a religious community centered mainly in Syria, with smaller populations in Lebanon, Turkey, and diaspora communities abroad. They are often described as a heterodox or esoteric branch within Shia Islam, with a history and practice distinct from mainstream Sunni and Shia communities. Their religious leadership and rituals have traditionally been kept within a closed tradition understood primarily by initiates.

Beliefs and practice among Alawites blend elements from Islam with pre-Islamic and Christian-influenced concepts. They emphasize the oneness of God and the idea of divine revelation through a lineage of spiritual leaders, with Ali and the Imams playing central roles in their theology. Public doctrinal details have historically been restricted, and many rites are conducted privately in households or secluded spaces by members of the faith.

Origin and history trace the Alawite community to medieval Syria, where it developed under local authorities and was marginalized by many neighboring communities. In the modern era, the Alawites gained substantial political prominence in Syria with the rise to power of the Assad family, who have drawn support from, and provided protection to, many in the community. This political role has significantly shaped sectarian dynamics in the region and in Syria’s civil conflict since 2011.

Demographically, estimates place the Alawites at roughly 10-15 percent of Syria’s population, concentrated along the coastal regions of Latakia and Tartus, with smaller communities in other areas. In Lebanon and elsewhere, smaller Alawite or Alawi communities exist, alongside a global diaspora. Their social and political influence in Syria has been a longstanding point of contention in intercommunal relations.