TheAssad family, who ruledSyria from 1971 to 2024, are well-known Alawites
TheAlawites, also known asAlawis (ʿAlawīyyahArabic:عَلَوِيَّةٌ) are anArab ethnoreligious group who live primarily in theLevant particularly in the coastal regions or the areas near the coast of theMediterranean Sea. Alawism is asect which branched out fromShia Islam during the 9th century. They live mainly inSyria but also have a presence in neighboring countriesLebanon andTurkey. They initially branched out of theTwelver school of Shia Islam however they differ greatly from the Twelver Shias as they believe in the divinity of Ali. Alawites worshipAli, and the name "Alawi" means followers of Ali. Alawites are also calledNusayris although this term has been considered derogatory.
