Religion in Lebanon

Saint George Maronite Cathedral and the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, Beirut.

Religion in Lebanon (2014)

  Islam (54%)
  Christianity (41%)
  Druze (5%)
Breakdown of sects of Lebanon's religions
Religion Percent
Shia Islam
  
 27%
Sunni Islam
  
 27%
Maronite Catholic
  
 21%
Eastern Orthodox
  
 8%
Melkite Catholic
  
 5%
Armenian Orthodox
  
 4%
Protestants
  
 1%
other Christian denomination minorities
  
 2%
Druze
  
 5%
Graph showing a breakdown of the various main religious groups in Lebanon, 2008.
Distribution of different Lebanon's religious groups according to municipal election 2009
An estimate of the area distribution of Lebanon's main religious groups

Lebanon has several different main religions. The country has the most religiously diverse society in the Middle East, comprising 18 recognized religious sects.[1] The main two religions are Christianity (the Maronite Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Melkite Catholic Church, the Protestant Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church) and Islam (Shia and Sunni). 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.[2]

The most recent study conducted by Statistics Lebanon, a Beirut-based research firm, found that approximately Lebanon's population is estimated to be 54% Muslim (27% Shia; 27% Sunni), 5.6% Druze, who do not consider themselves to be Muslims, 40.4% Christian (21% Maronite, 8% Eastern Orthodox, 5% Melkite Catholic, 1% Protestant and 5.4% other Christian denominations like Armenian Orthodox, Armenian Catholic, Syriac Catholic, Syriac Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Chaldean, Assyrian, Copt).[3]

Under the terms of an agreement known as the National Pact between the various political and religious leaders of Lebanon, the president of the country must be a Maronite, the Prime Minister must be a Sunnite, and the Speaker of Parliament must be a Shiite.

The CIA World Factbook estimates the following: Muslim 54% (27% Shia, 27% Sunni), Christian 40.5% (includes 21% Maronite Catholic, 8% Eastern Orthodox, 5% Melkite, 1% Protestantism in Lebanon, 5.5% other Christian), Druze 5.6%, very small numbers of Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists, Hindus, and Mormons.[4]

Lebanon also has a Jewish population, estimated at less than 100.

Although 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 conducted in another country are recognized by Lebanese civil authorities.

Legally registered Muslims form around 54% of the population (Shia, Sunni, Alawite). Legally registered Christians form up to 41% (Maronite, Eastern Orthodox-Christian, Melkite, Armenian, Evangelical, other). Druze form around 4%. Lebanon thus differs from other Middle Eastern countries and more resembles Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania, in Southeastern Europe, in having a diverse mix of Muslims and Christians that each make up approximately half the population.

Non-religion is not recognized by the state, the Minister of the Interior Ziad Baroud made it possible in 2009 to have the religious sect removed from the Lebanese identity card. This does not, however, deny the religious authorities complete control over civil family issues inside the country.[5][6]

Geographical distribution of sects in Lebanon

Sunnis are mainly residents of the major cities: west Beirut, Tripoli, and Sidon. Sunnis are also present in rural areas including Akkar, Ikleem al Kharoub, and the western Beqaa Valley.

Shias are concentrated in Southern Lebanon, Baalbek, Hermel District and the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Christians are concentrated in east Beirut and its suburbs, the area north of Mount Lebanon, Zahlé, and Jezzine.

Druze are concentrated south of Mount Lebanon and in the Hasbaya District.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ Alfred B. Prados (June 8, 2006). 8, 2006)Update.pdf "Lebanon" (PDF). The Library of Congress. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  2. ↑ Country Studies. "Lebanon Population". Retrieved November 25, 2006.
  3. ↑ "Statistics Lebanon Beirut-based research firm".
  4. ↑ "Lebanon". (July 2014 est.)
  5. ↑ Piero Gheddo (2009-02-13) LEBANON Religious affiliation to disappear from Lebanese documents – Asia News. Asianews.it. Retrieved on 2013-09-26.
  6. ↑ Religious Affiliation Can Be Removed From Lebanese ID Cards. Barcode Nation (2009-02-25). Retrieved on 2013-09-26.