Islam in Lebanon

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Islam in Lebanon is divided between four Muslim sects; Shiites, Sunnis, Alawites, and Ismailis. All but Ismailis enjoy proportional representation in parliament.

[edit] Islam in Lebanon

Muslims (including Druze) account for less than 60% of the total population of Lebanon, where 40% are Christians. About one-fourth of the Lebanese population is Sunni, concentrated largely in coastal cities. Shi'is - about 30% of the total population of Lebanon - live mostly in the northern area of the Beqaa Valley and southern Lebanon. By the 1980s Shi'is constituted the largest confessional group in Lebanon, leading to demands for better educational and employment opportunities and redistribution of power based on actual numbers. Druze constitute about 8-10 percent of the population. Alawis are numerically insignificant - around 2% - but have risen in importance since the Gulf War of 1990-1991 due to the growing influence of Syria, where Alawis dominate the government. Ismailis number only a few hundred and play no significant political role. Religious officials of each sect maintain jurisdiction over personal status law. The distribution of political power is based on religious affiliation: the president must be Maronite Catholic Christian, the speaker of the parliament must be Shiite Muslim and the prime minister must be Sunni Muslim.

It is important to note that Druze are not considered as Muslims, by Muslims, however most Druze insist on being called Muslims.