How did the Druze faith become established in southern Lebanon?

The Druze faith originated in Egypt as an offshoot of Isma'ili Shi'ism during the reign of the Fatimid caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah. Following the movement's persecution in Egypt after al-Hakim's mysterious disappearance in 1021, the faith survived and became established in isolated areas of Syria and Lebanon through the work of missionaries who established significant communities there.1

The mountainous terrain of the Lebanon Mountains played a crucial role in the establishment and preservation of the faith, as the rugged landscape offered a natural refuge for the group to escape persecution and maintain their distinctive religion. By the time proselytism ended in 1043, these communities were firmly rooted in the region, where they later enjoyed considerable autonomy under the Ottoman Empire.12