[Sherman Logan]

The Alawites, like the Druze, are (not unreasonably) viewed as non-Muslims by most Muslims, even most Shia.

[Reily]

I think I read somewhere that both the Druze and the Alwwites have some historical connection to the Assassin's cult in the Lebanese Mountains. Also the Alwaites are believed to be connected to some of the various Christian Gnostic cults that existed.

[Zhang Fei]

The Alawites, like the Druze, are (not unreasonably) viewed as non-Muslims by most Muslims, even most Shia.

The Alawite version of the shahada - the Sunni profession of belief - is apparently "There is no God but Ali". That would be like a Christian sect replacing the Holy Trinity with Peter.