Religion in Lebanon
Encyclopedia
Lebanon has several different main religions. The main two religion
s are Christianity
(the Maronite Church
, the Eastern Orthodox Church
, the Armenian Apostolic Church
, the Assyrian Church of the East
) and Islam
(Sunni
and Shia). There is also the Druze
minority religion.
No official census has been taken since 1932, reflecting the political sensitivity in Lebanon over confessional (i.e. religious) balance. The CIA World Factbook shows that of those residing in Lebanon, 59.7% are Muslim
s (Sunni, Shia, Druze
, Sufi and Alawites) and 39.0% are Christians (mostly Maronites
, Greek Orthodox
, Armenian Apostolic
, Melkite Greek Catholics
, Assyrian Church of the East
, Syriac Orthodox
, Chaldean Catholic, Syrian Catholics) and 1.3% "Other". However, as soon as the diaspora is included, the Christians become an absolute majority. Lebanon has a population of Mhallamis
also known as Mardinli), most of whom migrated from northeast Syria and southeast Turkey are estimated to be between 75,000 and 100,000 and considered to be part of the Sunni population. These have in recent years been granted Lebanese citizenship
and, coupled with several civil wars between Islamic extremists and the Lebanese military that have caused many Christians to flee the country, have re-tipped the demographic balance in favour of the Muslims and the Sunnis in particular. In addition, many thousands of Arab Bedouins in the Bekaa and in the Wadi Khaled region, who are entirely Sunnis, were granted Lebanese citizenship
. Lebanon also has a Jewish population, estimated at less than 100. However, it is believed that that figure is false since Jews in Lebanon generally hide their identity in fear due to wide-spread anti-semitism in the country.
Even though Lebanon is a secular country, family matters such as marriage, divorce and inheritance are still handled by the religious authorities representing a person's faith. Calls for civil marriage are unanimously rejected by the religious authorities but civil marriages held in another country are recognized by Lebanese civil authorities.
Legally registered Muslims
form around 54% of population (Shia, Sunni, Alawite). Legally registered Christians
form up to 41%(Maronite, Greek Orthodox-Christian, Greek Catholic, Armenian, Evangelical, other). Druze
form around 4%. A small minority of 1% includes Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist individuals.
Even though non-religion is not recognized by the state, in 2009, Minister of Interior Ziad Baroud
made it possible to remove your sect from official documents, but this does not deny the religious authorities complete control over civil family issues inside the country.
Recent statistics estimates total religious population as low as 84%. Other 11% believe in God, but refuse to follow one defined religious culture. In addition, 5% claimed to be Atheist or Agnostics.
Sunnis are mainly residents of the major cities: western part of Beirut, Tripoli, and Saida (Sidon). They also live in areas like Akkar, Ikleem al Kharoub, and West Bekaa.
Shiites are mainly spread in South Lebanon, Baalback area, Hermel area, and southern suburbs of Beirut.
Christians are widely spread in the eastern part of Beirut city and its suburbs, northern part of mount Lebanon, north Lebanon, Zahleh (Bekaa) and Jezzine (South).
Druze are spread in southern Mount Lebanon and Hasbayah Region (South Lebanon)
Although the geographical distribution is not pure, usually the "where from" question can give you a clear indication about the religion of the person.
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
s are Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
(the Maronite Church
Maronite Church
The Syriac Maronite Church of Antioch is an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome . It traces its heritage back to the community founded by Maron, a 4th-century Syriac monk venerated as a saint. The first Maronite Patriarch, John Maron, was elected in the late 7th...
, the Eastern Orthodox Church
Orthodox Christianity
The term Orthodox Christianity may refer to:* the Eastern Orthodox Church and its various geographical subdivisions...
, the Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
, the Assyrian Church of the East
Assyrian Church of the East
The Assyrian Church of the East, officially the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East ʻIttā Qaddishtā w-Shlikhāitā Qattoliqi d-Madnĕkhā d-Āturāyē), is a Syriac Church historically centered in Mesopotamia. It is one of the churches that claim continuity with the historical...
) and Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
(Sunni
Sunni Islam
Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam. Sunni Muslims are referred to in Arabic as ʾAhl ūs-Sunnah wa āl-Ǧamāʿah or ʾAhl ūs-Sunnah for short; in English, they are known as Sunni Muslims, Sunnis or Sunnites....
and Shia). There is also the Druze
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
minority religion.
No official census has been taken since 1932, reflecting the political sensitivity in Lebanon over confessional (i.e. religious) balance. The CIA World Factbook shows that of those residing in Lebanon, 59.7% are Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s (Sunni, Shia, Druze
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
, Sufi and Alawites) and 39.0% are Christians (mostly Maronites
Maronites
Maronites , is an ethnoreligious group in the Middle East that have been historically tied with Lebanon. They derive their name from the Syriac saint Mar Maron whose followers moved to Mount Lebanon from northern Syria establishing the Maronite Church....
, Greek Orthodox
Antiochian Orthodox Church
The Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch, also known as the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East and the Antiochian Orthodox Church , is an autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church within the wider communion of Orthodox Christianity...
, Armenian Apostolic
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
, Melkite Greek Catholics
Melkite Greek Catholic Church
The Melkite Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See as part of the worldwide Catholic Church. The Melkites, Byzantine Rite Catholics of mixed Eastern Mediterranean and Greek origin, trace their history to the early Christians of Antioch, Syria, of...
, Assyrian Church of the East
Assyrian Church of the East
The Assyrian Church of the East, officially the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East ʻIttā Qaddishtā w-Shlikhāitā Qattoliqi d-Madnĕkhā d-Āturāyē), is a Syriac Church historically centered in Mesopotamia. It is one of the churches that claim continuity with the historical...
, Syriac Orthodox
Syriac Orthodox Church
The Syriac Orthodox Church; is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Eastern Mediterranean, with members spread throughout the world. The Syriac Orthodox Church claims to derive its origin from one of the first Christian communities, established in Antioch by the Apostle St....
, Chaldean Catholic, Syrian Catholics) and 1.3% "Other". However, as soon as the diaspora is included, the Christians become an absolute majority. Lebanon has a population of Mhallamis
Mhallami
The Mhallami, or Mhalmites, are a Semitic people originating from the Assyrian/Syriac people. They originally spoke Aramaic and were Eastern Rite Christians, but are now primarily speakers of North Mesopotamian Arabic and Sunni Muslims of Shafi`i madh'hab.-Origin:"A small minority of the Syriacs,...
also known as Mardinli), most of whom migrated from northeast Syria and southeast Turkey are estimated to be between 75,000 and 100,000 and considered to be part of the Sunni population. These have in recent years been granted Lebanese citizenship
Lebanese nationality law
The Lebanese nationality is transmitted by paternity . However, this gives the right to Lebanese to transmit citizenship to their children and foreign wives.-Citizenship Law Number 15:...
and, coupled with several civil wars between Islamic extremists and the Lebanese military that have caused many Christians to flee the country, have re-tipped the demographic balance in favour of the Muslims and the Sunnis in particular. In addition, many thousands of Arab Bedouins in the Bekaa and in the Wadi Khaled region, who are entirely Sunnis, were granted Lebanese citizenship
Lebanese nationality law
The Lebanese nationality is transmitted by paternity . However, this gives the right to Lebanese to transmit citizenship to their children and foreign wives.-Citizenship Law Number 15:...
. Lebanon also has a Jewish population, estimated at less than 100. However, it is believed that that figure is false since Jews in Lebanon generally hide their identity in fear due to wide-spread anti-semitism in the country.
Even though Lebanon is a secular country, family matters such as marriage, divorce and inheritance are still handled by the religious authorities representing a person's faith. Calls for civil marriage are unanimously rejected by the religious authorities but civil marriages held in another country are recognized by Lebanese civil authorities.
Legally registered Muslims
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
form around 54% of population (Shia, Sunni, Alawite). Legally registered Christians
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
form up to 41%(Maronite, Greek Orthodox-Christian, Greek Catholic, Armenian, Evangelical, other). Druze
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
form around 4%. A small minority of 1% includes Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist individuals.
Even though non-religion is not recognized by the state, in 2009, Minister of Interior Ziad Baroud
Ziad Baroud
Ziad Baroud is a Lebanese lawyer and prominent civil society activist. On May 26, 2011 he resigned from office as Minister of Interior and Municipalities in Saad Hariri's government. His resignation came after the developing conflict between Internal Security Forces and the Ministry of...
made it possible to remove your sect from official documents, but this does not deny the religious authorities complete control over civil family issues inside the country.
Recent statistics estimates total religious population as low as 84%. Other 11% believe in God, but refuse to follow one defined religious culture. In addition, 5% claimed to be Atheist or Agnostics.
Geographical distribution of sects in Lebanon
Many Lebanese have grown sensitive to approaching the sect issue; when a Lebanese asks his friend "From where are you?" he is most probably asking about his sect.Sunnis are mainly residents of the major cities: western part of Beirut, Tripoli, and Saida (Sidon). They also live in areas like Akkar, Ikleem al Kharoub, and West Bekaa.
Shiites are mainly spread in South Lebanon, Baalback area, Hermel area, and southern suburbs of Beirut.
Christians are widely spread in the eastern part of Beirut city and its suburbs, northern part of mount Lebanon, north Lebanon, Zahleh (Bekaa) and Jezzine (South).
Druze are spread in southern Mount Lebanon and Hasbayah Region (South Lebanon)
Although the geographical distribution is not pure, usually the "where from" question can give you a clear indication about the religion of the person.