Islam in Lebanon

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Islam in Lebanon
الإسلام في لبنان
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque during 2019 Lebanese revolution.jpg
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque during 2019 Lebanese revolution
Total population
2-3.5 million [1]
Religions
Shia Islam, Sunni Islam, Alawite
Sects of Islam in Lebanon (2020) [2]
Muslim denominationpercent
Sunni Muslims
31.9%
Twelver Shia Muslims
31.2%

Islam in Lebanon has a long and continuous history. According to an estimate by the CIA, it is followed by 63% of the country's total population. [3] Sunnis make up 31.9%, [4] Twelver Shia make up 31.2%, [5] next to smaller percentages of other Shia branches, such as Alawites and Ismailis. The Druze community is designated as one of the five Lebanese Muslim communities (Sunni, Shia, Druze, Alawi, and Ismaili), [6] [7] even though most Druze do not identify as Muslims, [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] and they do not accept the five pillars of Islam. [13]

Contents

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.

Demographics

Lebanese Muslims [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [2]
YearPercent
1932
48%
1985
75%
2010
54%
2012
53.5%
2018
61.1%

Note that the following percentages are estimates only. However, in a country that had last census in 1932, it is difficult to have correct population estimates.

The number of Muslims in Lebanon has been disputed for many years. There has been no official census in Lebanon since 1932. According to the CIA World Factbook, [19] the Muslim population is estimated at around 59.5% [20] within the Lebanese territory and of the 8.6 [21] –14 [22] million Lebanese diaspora is believed by some to be about 20%[ citation needed ] of the total population.

The last census in Lebanon in 1932 put the numbers of Muslims (Shia 19%, Sunni 22%, Druze 7%) at 48% of the population (388,400 of 791,700). [23] A study done by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1985 put the numbers of Muslims (Shia 41%, Sunni 27%, Druze 7%) at 75% of the population (1,667,000 of 2,228,000). [23]

Current political and religious issues

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.

Atheism is not recognized by the state. However, the Minister of the Interior Ziad Baroud made it possible in 2009 to have the religious sect removed from one’s Lebanese identity card. This does not, however, deny religious authorities complete control over civil family issues inside the country. [24] [25]

Distribution of Lebanon's religious groups according to 2009 municipal election data. Lebanon religious groups distribution.jpg
Distribution of Lebanon's religious groups according to 2009 municipal election data.
An estimate of the area distribution of Lebanon's main religious groups. Lebanon religious groups.jpg
An estimate of the area distribution of Lebanon's main religious groups.

Branches

Lebanese Muslims are divided into many branches like Shiites, Sunnis, Druze, Alawites, and Ismailis.

Shia Islam

The Lebanese Shia Muslims are around 27% [20] –29% [26] [27] of the total population. Twelvers are the predominant Shia group, followed by Alawites and Ismailis. The Speaker of Parliament is always a Shi'a Muslim, as it is the only high post that Shi'as are eligible for. [28] [29] [30] [31] The Shiites are largely concentrated in northern and central Beqaa, Southern Lebanon, in south Beirut (southern parts of Greater Beirut). [32] [33]

Sunni Islam

The Lebanese Sunni Muslims constitute also about 27% [32] –29% [20] of the total population with the Hanafi and Shafiʽi madhhab being the predominant Sunni groups. Sunni notables traditionally held power in the Lebanese state together, and they are still the only ones eligible for the post of Prime Minister [34] Sunnis form the majority in west Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon, Central and Western Beqaa and hasbaya, ikleem al kharroub, Miniyeh and Danniyeh districts, and Akkar in the north. [32] Several large Sufi orders are active in the country, including the Naqshbandi and Qadiriyya tariqas.

Druze

The Lebanese Druze constitute 5% [20] of the population and can be found primarily in Mount Lebanon and the Shouf District. Under the Lebanese political division (Parliament of Lebanon Seat Allocation) the Druze community is designated as one of the five Lebanese Muslim communities (Sunni, Shia, Druze, Alawi, and Ismaili). [6] [7] Most Druze do not identify as Muslims. [35] [36] [37] [38] [39]

See also

Related Research Articles

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  36. Jonas, Margaret (2011). The Templar Spirit: The Esoteric Inspiration, Rituals and Beliefs of the Knights Templar. Temple Lodge Publishing. p. 83. ISBN   9781906999254. [Druze] often they are not regarded as being Muslim at all, nor do all the Druze consider themselves as Muslim
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  38. J. Stewart, Dona (2008). The Middle East Today: Political, Geographical and Cultural Perspectives. Routledge. p. 33. ISBN   9781135980795. Most Druze do not consider themselves Muslim. Historically they faced much persecution and keep their religious beliefs secrets.
  39. Yazbeck Haddad, Yvonne (2014). The Oxford Handbook of American Islam. Oxford University Press. p. 142. ISBN   9780199862634. While they appear parallel to those of normative Islam, in the Druze religion they are different in meaning and interpretation. The religion is considered distinct from the Ismaili as well as from other Muslims belief and practice... Most Druze consider themselves fully assimilated in American society and do not necessarily identify as Muslims..