Alawites
(redirected from Alawism)Also found in: Dictionary, Wikipedia.
Related to Alawism: albite
The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Alawites
(also called Alawi or Nusairis).
(1) Followers of a Shiite sect of the same name. The Alawites took their name from the Caliph Ali, who is venerated as the embodiment of god. The other name, Nusairis, comes from the name of Ibn Nusair (ninth century), who is considered to be the founder of the sect. The Alawites live in Syria and southern Turkey. Their beliefs are close to the beliefs of the Ismailis, but also include elements of ancient Eastern astral cults and of Christianity. The Alawites worship the sun and the moon, believe in the transmigration of souls, celebrate several Christian holidays and have Christian names.
(2) A dynasty in Morocco (from 1664); it is also called the Filali or Filali Sharifs.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.