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{{bar percent|]|darkgreen|54}} {{bar percent|All Muslims|darkgreen|54}}
{{bar percent|]|lightblue|41}} {{bar percent|]|lightblue|41.5}}
{{bar percent|]|purple|5}} {{bar percent|]|purple|5.5}}
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⚫ {{bar percent|]|darkgreen|27}}
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] ]
] ]
]
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⚫ ''']''' has several different main ]s. The country has the most religiously diverse society in the Middle East, comprising 17 recognized religious sects.<ref name=libcon>{{cite web|title=Lebanon|url=http://lambdalegal.mobi/crs_country/CRSReportLebanon(June8,2006)Update.pdf|publisher=The Library of Congress|accessdate=June 11, 2012|author=Alfred B. Prados|date=June 8, 2006}}</ref> The main two religions are ] (the ], the ], the ], the ]) and Islam (] and ]). There is also the ] minority religion. No official census has been taken since 1932, reflecting the political sensitivity in Lebanon over confessional (i.e. religious) balance.<ref>Country Studies. . Retrieved November 25, 2006.</ref>
''']''' has several different main ]s. The country has the most religiously
⚫ diverse society in the Middle East, comprising 17 recognized religious sects.<ref name=libcon>{{cite web|title=Lebanon|url=http://lambdalegal.mobi/crs_country/CRSReportLebanon(June8,2006)Update.pdf|publisher=The Library of Congress|accessdate=June 11, 2012|author=Alfred B. Prados|date=June 8, 2006}}</ref> The main two religions are ] (the ], the ], the ], the ]) and ] (] and ]). There is also the ] minority religion.
No official census has been taken since 1932, reflecting the political sensitivity in Lebanon over confessional (i.e. religious) balance.<ref>Country Studies. . Retrieved November 25, 2006.</ref>


A demographic study published in May 20, 2013 and conducted by the ] under the name ''2012 Report on International Religious Freedom'' states that approximately:
The most recent study conducted by Statistics Lebanon, a Beirut-based research firm, found that approximately Lebanon's population is estimated to be 54% ] (27% ]; 27% ]), 5.6% ], who do not consider themselves to be Muslims, 40.4% ] (21% ], 8% ], 5% ], and 6.4% other Christian denominations like ], ], ], ], Roman Catholic, ], ], ], Protestant).<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics Lebanon Beirut-based research firm|url=http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2012/nea/208400.htm}}</ref>
* 54% Muslim (where 27% are ] and 27% are ])
* 41.5% ] (where 21% ], 8% ], 5% ], 6.5% such as ], ], ], ], Roman Catholic, ], ], ], ])
* 5.6% ], who do not consider themselves to be Muslims, in addition to small numbers of ] in which the majority are ], Bahais, Buddhists, Hindus, and members of The ] (]).<ref>{{cite web |title=Lebanon, 2012 Report on International Religious Freedom|url=http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2012/nea/208400.htm}}</ref>


] shows that of those residing in Lebanon, 59.7% are ]s (], ], ], ] and ]) and 39.0% are ] (mostly ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]) and 1.3% "Other".<ref name="cia">], the World Factbook (2006). . Retrieved March 8, 2009.</ref> ] shows that of those residing in Lebanon, 59.7% are Muslims (], ], ], ] and ]) and 39.0% are ] (mostly ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]) and 1.3% "Other".<ref name="cia">], the World Factbook (2006). . Retrieved March 8, 2009.</ref>


Lebanon has a population of ]s also known as ''Mardinli''), most of whom migrated from northeast ] and southeast ] are estimated to be between 75,000 and 100,000 and considered to be part of the ] population. These have in recent years been granted ] and, coupled with several ] between Islamic extremists and the ] 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.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=International Journal of Kurdish Studies|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-132797081/kurds-lebanon-social-and.html|date=January 2002|author=Lokman I. Meho |title=The Kurds in Lebanon: a social and historical overview}}</ref> In addition, many thousands of Arab ] in the ] and in the Wadi Khaled region, who are entirely Sunnis, were granted ]. Lebanon also has a ] population, estimated at less than 100. Lebanon has a population of ]s also known as ''Mardinli''), most of whom migrated from northeast ] and southeast ] are estimated to be between 75,000 and 100,000 and considered to be part of the ] population. These have in recent years been granted ] and, coupled with several ] between Islamic extremists and the ] 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.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=International Journal of Kurdish Studies|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-132797081/kurds-lebanon-social-and.html|date=January 2002|author=Lokman I. Meho |title=The Kurds in Lebanon: a social and historical overview}}</ref> In addition, many thousands of Arab ] in the ] and in the Wadi Khaled region, who are entirely Sunnis, were granted ]. Lebanon also has a ] population, estimated at less than 100.


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. 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 ] form around 54% of the population (Shia, Sunni, Alawite). Legally registered ] form up to 41% (Maronite, Greek Orthodox-Christian, Greek Catholic, Armenian, Evangelical, other). ] form around 4%.


Even though non-religion is not recognized by the state, in 2009, the ] ] made it possible to have the religious sect removed from the ], this does not, however, deny the religious authorities complete control over civil family issues inside the country.<ref>Piero Gheddo (2009-02-13) . Asianews.it. Retrieved on 2013-09-26.</ref><ref>. Barcode Nation (2009-02-25). Retrieved on 2013-09-26.</ref> Even though non-religion is not recognized by the state, in 2009, the ] ] made it possible to have the religious sect removed from the ], this does not, however, deny the religious authorities complete control over civil family issues inside the country.<ref>Piero Gheddo (2009-02-13) . Asianews.it. Retrieved on 2013-09-26.</ref><ref>. Barcode Nation (2009-02-25). Retrieved on 2013-09-26.</ref>
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== Geographical distribution of sects in Lebanon == == Geographical distribution of sects in Lebanon ==


] are mainly residents of the major cities: west ], ], and ]. Sunnis are also present in rural areas including ], Ikleem al Kharoub, and the western ]. ] are concentrated in east ] and its suburbs, the area north of ], ], and ].


] are concentrated in ], ], ] and the southern suburbs of ]. ] are mainly concentrated in the major cities: west ], ], and ]. Sunnis are also present in rural areas including ], Ikleem al Kharoub, and the western ].


] are concentrated in east ] and its suburbs, the area north of ], ], and ]. ] are concentrated in ], ], ] and the southern suburbs of ].


] are concentrated south of Mount Lebanon and in the ]. ] are concentrated south of Mount Lebanon and in the ].
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== Gallery == == Gallery ==
<gallery perrow=5> <gallery perrow=5>
File:Harissa_-_Lady_of_Lebanon_(4011272632).jpg|] (''also known as سيدة لبنان, Notre Dame du Liban'') overlooking Beirut from the top mountains of ] in Harissa
File:Khatem_Al_Anbiyaa_Mosque_Detail.jpg|Detail of the dome of the Khatem al-Anbiyaa Mosque in downtown Beirut. File:Khatem_Al_Anbiyaa_Mosque_Detail.jpg|Mosque of Khatem al-Anbiyaa Mosque in ]
File:St georges orthodox cathedral beirut.jpg|Saint George ] Cathedral in Downtown Beirut File:St georges orthodox cathedral beirut.jpg|Saint George ] Cathedral in Downtown Beirut
File:St. George's Greek-Orthodox Cathedral (Beirut).JPG|The St. Georges ] Cathedral on Nejme Square File:St. George's Greek-Orthodox Cathedral (Beirut).JPG|The St. Georges ] Cathedral on Nejme Square
File:Prophet_Job_Shrine.jpg|Druze Prophet of Job Shrine File:Prophet_Job_Shrine.jpg|Druze Prophet of Job Shrine
File:Maghen_Abraham_Synagogue_(side).JPG|] Maghen Abraham Synagogue in ]
File:Antelias_-_Armeni.jpg|] Church in ]
</gallery> </gallery>


Revision as of 09:04, 13 October 2013

Saint George's Maronite Cathedral and the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, Beirut.
Lebanon religions
Religion Percent
All Muslims   54%
All Christians   41.5%
Druze   5.5%
Lebanon religious sects
Religion Percent
Sunni Islam   27%
Shia Islam   27%
Maronite Catholic   21%
Greek Orthodox   8%
Greek Catholic   5%
Armenian Orthodox   4%
other Christian denominations   3%
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

Lebanon has several different main religions. The country has the most religiously diverse society in the Middle East, comprising 17 recognized religious sects. The main two religions are Christianity (the Maronite Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Assyrian Church of the East) 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.

A demographic study published in May 20, 2013 and conducted by the U.S. Department of State under the name 2012 Report on International Religious Freedom states that approximately:

The CIA World Factbook shows that of those residing in Lebanon, 59.7% are Muslims (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".

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.

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.

Even though non-religion is not recognized by the state, in 2009, the Minister of the Interior Ziad Baroud made it possible 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.

Geographical distribution of sects in Lebanon

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

Sunnis are mainly concentrated in 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.

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

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

Gallery

See also

References

  1. Alfred B. Prados (June 8, 2006). "Lebanon" (PDF). The Library of Congress. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  2. Country Studies. "Lebanon Population". Retrieved November 25, 2006.
  3. "Lebanon, 2012 Report on International Religious Freedom".
  4. CIA, the World Factbook (2006). "Lebanon". Retrieved March 8, 2009.
  5. Lokman I. Meho (January 2002). "The Kurds in Lebanon: a social and historical overview". International Journal of Kurdish Studies.
  6. Piero Gheddo (2009-02-13) LEBANON Religious affiliation to disappear from Lebanese documents – Asia News. Asianews.it. Retrieved on 2013-09-26.
  7. Religious Affiliation Can Be Removed From Lebanese ID Cards. Barcode Nation (2009-02-25). Retrieved on 2013-09-26.
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