As the roots of a tree feed on the depth of the soil, so Lebanese culture feeds on the antiquity of centuries. Lebanese the culture known for its literature, music, architecture, traditional cuisine, etc. festivals, of course. Today it is very close to the European one.

Religion of Lebanon

Almost 100% Arab country, surprisingly combines several religions at the same time ... Religion of Lebanon consists of 57% Muslims (the bulk of Shiites and Sunnis, a small proportion of Druze), and 43% Christians (Maronites and Orthodox Christians).

Lebanon economy

Trade and cultural ties, both with Arab and European countries, determined the prerequisites for the development of trade as one of the main sectors of the economy. In general, it is one of the few in the states of Asia, half of whose income is made up of profits from the service sector and trade.

Beirut is also called Eastern Switzerland; for many years, cash flows from the sale of oil from the Middle East have flowed here. Lebanon with its banking system, it is more attractive for large capitals, since the confidentiality of deposits is still preserved there, and the size of these and the source from which they come does not attract much attention.

Lebanese Science

The level of education in Lebanon is considered to be one of the best among the countries of the Middle East. The educational model is akin to the French one. Lebanese Science coordinated at universities by the Lebanese National Research Council. Some higher education institutions have more than a century of history.

Lebanese art

The laconic interweaving of the old and the innovative makes it inimitable and original. Ballet, opera, jazz, classical music, folklore, modern and religious music coexist at various festivals that are constantly held in the cities of the country. Beirut is replete with a large number of theaters that have a wide variety of focus.

Lebanese cuisine

As in culture, the intertwining of European and Arabic can be traced in culinary preferences. Lebanese cuisine offers a lot of dishes from stews, minced meat and minced meat, as well as vegetables, cereals, milk, herbs, etc. An important feature is the use of local lavash bread instead of a fork. The famous mezze snack consists of about thirty items of cold and hot products. Geography of Lebanon and its history has made the country a renowned wine region. Also Lebanon is the birthplace of absinthe - a traditional drink of creative bohemians. After the ban on its production, anise vodka is very popular.

Lebanese customs and traditions

As in any Eastern country, the local population is very hospitable and friendly, but do not forget that the Lebanese adhere to certain traditions and norms of behavior in their daily life. Lebanese customs and traditions very interesting and pronounced in Lebanese weddings. The newlyweds are sprinkled with rice and flower petals with wishes of happiness. You should not refuse the offer to drink coffee, this can be regarded as an insult. Political and ethnic topics should be avoided in conversation. Visiting local mosques requires taking off your shoes before entering the temple, and women also need to cover their heads.

Sports Lebanon

The people of Lebanon are very athletic. Sports Lebanon represented by basketball, swimming, running, tennis and horse riding. There are a lot of aquatic centers in the republic where you can rent water skis, scooters and even parachutes.

Plan:

Introduction

• 1 Denominations
  • 1.1 List of officially recognized religious communities
• 2 Approximate statistics
• 3 Muslims
• 4 Christians
• 5 Other religions
Notes (edit)

Introduction

Resettlement of religious groups in Lebanon.

Religion in Lebanon plays a huge role in all spheres of society. Even the political structure of the republic is based on confessionalism, which presupposes the organization of state power in accordance with the division of society into religious communities.

Lebanon stands out for its extreme religious diversity. This is the only Arab state headed by (the President of the Lebanese Republic), according to the Constitution, is a Christian (Maronite). The prime minister is a Sunni Muslim. The Speaker of Parliament is a Shia Muslim.

There are many different religious communities in Lebanon. The division and rivalry between them dates back at least 15 centuries and remains a very important factor today. The principles of peaceful coexistence have changed little since the 7th century, but there have been cases of ethnic cleansing (most recent during the Lebanese Civil War), which entailed significant changes in the country's political map.

1. Denominations

Lebanon has the largest percentage of the Christian population from the Arab countries. Both Christianity and Islam in Lebanon are represented in the form of many different denominations. The largest communities are: Sunni, Shiite and Maronite. Any statistics are highly controversial, since every religious community is interested in overestimating the number of its adherents. It is important that despite the controversy over the percentage of denominations, religious leaders avoid a new general population census, fearing that this could cause a new round of sectarian conflicts. The last official census was taken in 1932.

Religion has traditionally been the main factor in the division of the Lebanese population. The division of state power between communities and the provision of judicial power to religious authorities date back to the days when Lebanon was part of the Ottoman Empire. This practice was continued during the French Mandate, when privileges were granted to Christian communities. This system of governance, although a compromise, has always caused tensions in Lebanese politics.

It is believed that the Christian population from the late 1930s. does not have a majority in Lebanon, but the leaders of the republic do not want to change the balance of political power. Leaders of Muslim communities are demanding an increase in their representation in government, which causes constant sectarian tensions that led to a violent conflict in 1958 (followed by the American military intervention) and a long civil war in 1975-1990.

The balance of power was slightly altered by the 1943 National Pact, in which political power was distributed among religious communities in accordance with the 1932 census. By that time, the Sunni elite had become more influential, but the Maronite Christians continued to dominate the system of government. Subsequently, the interfaith balance in power was again changed in favor of Muslims. Shiite Muslims (now the largest community) then increased their representation in the state apparatus and the obligatory Christian-Muslim representation in Parliament was changed from 6: 5 to 1: 1.

The Constitution of the Lebanese Republic officially recognizes 18 religious communities, which are the main players in Lebanese politics. They have the right to administer family law in accordance with their traditions. It is important that these communities are heterogeneous and there is a political struggle within them.

1.1. List of officially recognized religious communities

• Alawites
• Ismailis
• Sunnis
• Shiites
• Druze

• Armenian-Gregorians
• Armenian Catholics
• Assyrian Church of the East
• Chaldean Catholic Church
• Copts
• Evangelical Christians (including Baptists and Seventh-day Adventists)
• Greek Catholics
• Orthodox
• Maronites
• Roman catholic church
• Syrian Catholic Church
• Syrian Orthodox Church

• Judaists

2. Approximate statistics

According to the CIA World Factbook

Other religions: 1.3%

3. Muslims

At the moment, there is a consensus in Lebanon that Muslims constitute the majority of the republic's population. The largest religious community in the country is Shiite. The second largest is Sunni. Druze, despite their small number, also have a significant impact.

4. Christians

The Maronites are the largest Christian community in Lebanon. It has a long-standing relationship with the Roman Catholic Church, but it has its own patriarch, liturgy and customs. Traditionally, the Maronites have good relations with the Western world, especially France and the Vatican. They still dominate the Lebanese government. The Lebanese President is always chosen from among the Maronites. Their influence has been decreasing lately. During the occupation of Lebanon by Syria, she helped Sunnis and other Muslim communities and resisted many Maronites. The Maronites are mainly settled in rural areas, living in significant concentration in the Lebanese mountains and in Beirut.

The Greek Orthodox are the second largest Christian community. She is less associated with Western countries than the Maronites. The Greek Orthodox Church exists in many countries of the Arab world and its followers are often seen in pro-Arab and pro-Syrian sentiments.

5. Other religions

The remnants of a very small Jewish population are traditionally concentrated in Beirut. It was larger - most of the Jews left the country after the 1967 Six Day War.

Notes (edit)

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This abstract is based on an article from the Russian Wikipedia. Synchronization completed 07/12/11 07:51:30 AM
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Religion in Lebanon plays a huge role in all spheres of society. Even the political structure of the republic is based on confessionalism, which implies the organization of state power in accordance with the division of society into religious communities.

During the conquest of the country by the Arabs in the 7th century. practically the entire population of Lebanon, which at that time was under the rule of Byzantium, professed Christianity. Islam came in through the Muslim warriors who settled in its lands, in particular in large cities, and thanks to the Arabic-speaking tribes, mostly Muslim, who settled in the southern and northeastern regions of the country, although some of them professed Christianity.

Muslims - 60%, Christians (Maronites, Orthodox, Catholics of the Armenian Church, etc.) - 40%. Absolute equality of religions is legally supported, even when electing to political posts, the principle of equal representation of religious groups is used - the President of Lebanon is usually elected from Maronite Christians, the Prime Minister from Sunnis, and the Speaker of Parliament from Shiites.

Lebanon has the largest percentage of the Christian population from the Arab countries. Both Christianity and Islam in Lebanon are represented in the form of many different denominations. The largest communities are: Sunni, Shiite and Maronite. Any statistics are highly controversial, since every religious community is interested in overestimating the number of its adherents. It is important that despite the controversy over the percentage of denominations, religious leaders avoid a new general population census, fearing that this could cause a new round of sectarian conflicts. The last official census was taken in 1932.

The largest religious Muslim community in the country is the Shiite. The second largest is Sunni. The Druze sect arose in the 11th century. in Egypt among the Shia Islamites. Its first adepts were inhabitants of the At-Time Valley in the south.

The Maronites are the largest Christian community in Lebanon. It has a long-standing relationship with the Roman Catholic Church, but it has its own patriarch, liturgy and customs. Traditionally, the Maronites have good relations with the Western world, especially France and the Vatican. They still dominate the Lebanese government. The Lebanese President is always chosen from among the Maronites.
The Greek Orthodox are the second largest Christian community. She is less associated with Western countries than the Maronites. The Greek Orthodox Church exists in many countries of the Arab world.

In total, the Constitution of the Lebanese Republic officially recognizes 18 religious communities, which are the main players in Lebanese politics. They have the right to administer family law in accordance with their traditions. It is important that these communities are heterogeneous and there is a political struggle within them.

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Resettlement of religious groups in Lebanon

Two young men will recreate in the memory of believers the main moments of the suffering of Jesus Christ under the leadership of the Maronite Patriarch and Lebanese Cardinal Beshar Boutros Rai. The report says that Pope Joseph Ratzinger made this choice “in memory of his recent trip to Lebanon and as a call to the entire church to pray for the Christian community of the Middle East and a peaceful solution to problems.

Benedict XVI's last trip outside Italy to Lebanon took place in mid-September. He was greeted by a huge number of believers who also came from other countries. Of all the countries in North Africa and the Middle East, Lebanon is the safest place for Christians, with relatively large numbers of them. But for many years, before everyone's eyes, the destruction of the much-praised model of peaceful coexistence of religions has been taking place. Benedict XVI issued a cautious appeal: “The goodwill of all Lebanese is needed to keep the famous Lebanese balance in action. Only then will Lebanon become a role model for the people of the region and the whole world. "

It is clear that the Syrian disaster has jeopardized the Lebanese Shiites of the Hezbollah movement, since their patrons live in Damascus and Tehran. But it did not improve the position of Christians either. Lebanese Christians have long ceased to dream of conquering hegemony in the country. They are internally divided: some support the Shiites, others support the Sunnis. The confrontation between the Lebanese Sunnis and Shiites is becoming more and more radical. It is tempting to repeat the offensive in Syria against the Shiite-Alawite Assad regime in Lebanon.

Despite all this, some Christians and some Muslims in Lebanon continue to hope that their peaceful coexistence will continue and act in this spirit. Below is an investigation published in the latest issue of the international magazine Oasis. It has been published since 2004 by the Patriarchate of Venice in six languages, including Arabic and Urdu, and is intended for Christians living in the Islamic world. The aim of the magazine is to enable Christians and Muslims to get to know and understand each other better. The head of the magazine and the Newsletter supplement, which is published twice a month, also in Spanish, is Cardinal Angelo Scola. He organizes international meetings every year. In 2010, such a meeting took place in Beirut, Lebanon.

Chemical lebanese formula

What kind of Lebanon did the Pope see? The center of Beirut can still make one believe that the country is developing rapidly: there are many skyscrapers under construction near the sea. But it is enough to move slightly from the center, and you find yourself in the poorest neighborhoods, where in the road markings residents still recognize the front lines of the civil war. And if you drive away from the capital, the landscape changes even more. Towards the east are villages and families whose history is connected with neighboring Syria. Just a few years ago, the Syrians were “occupiers”, but now, due to the civil war, they have become “refugees”.

Syrians who have found shelter in Lebanese villages tell their sad stories. Hundreds of thousands of people fled from the incessant bombing, which has been going on for more than one month, from raids and abductions, which are carried out by regular troops, then by rebels. They crossed the border in search of a respite. The Lebanese government does not allow the formal establishment of refugee camps - the balance between different communities is too fragile - but in fact there are places to receive and accommodate refugees.

In Taalabaya in the Bekaa province, the Lebanese center Caritas welcomes new Syrian families every day, asking them to register in order to receive minimal assistance in the form of a set of food and blankets. There is a camp nearby, where refugees built barracks made of cardboard, cloth and tin. For one hundred and fifty children from two to ten years old, who are free to scamper on trampled ground, this poor camp is also a playground. They are not very worried about the inability to wash and change clothes, they completely surrender to the game with their comrades. Their eyes are full of will to live, while their mothers' eyes are empty and lost in despair.

Most of these two hundred families fled from the hell that arose in the area of ​​the city of Homs, and ended up in these barracks. The idea that you will have to spend the whole winter in them seems unbearable. For a young mother of twenty-six, time has stood still. Her husband was killed in Syria, the house was destroyed by a bomb. She does not see a future in front of her, only a hopeless present dominates her and her two children.

Hundreds of others are also desperate. Every refugee who crosses the border carries with him a load that is unlike the burden of other comrades in misfortune. Twenty families from Damascus are housed in an elementary school building in the village of Dayr Zanoun in the same Bekaa province. They at least have a roof over their heads, running water and electricity for two hours a day. But their excitement reaches the limit when a social worker from the Caritas Center announces to them that at the beginning of the school year, they will have to leave the walls of the school.

During the distribution of food, the volunteers are protesting against refugees who do not want to leave the school. They are Sunnis and fearful of being transferred to Baalbek, where the Shiite majority live. The headmaster is worriedly examining the premises, examining the damage caused by intruders. The classrooms have turned into bedrooms and kitchens at the same time, soap and combs are on the coasters of the boards, and the garden is used as a toilet.

The young carpenter, the father of three sons, fled Syria, because he risked disappearing, like his brother, from whom there is no news, just as there is no news of what is actually happening in his homeland. But at least he saved his wife and three children. There are more affluent refugees in villages and large cities who can pay from 200 to 250 dollars a month for rent. They can afford it because at least one family member was able to find a job. Many families share one apartment and a common grief. There is no furniture in the houses, practically life runs on the floor.

Against the background of common misfortune, there are stories that show unforgotten gratitude and gratitude: a Syrian family, in which a mother of four children knows nothing about the fate of her husband, found shelter in a Lebanese family, which she previously hosted in her Syrian home when in Lebanon violence reigned. But if history is striking in its repeatability, geography is astonishing with abrupt changes over a short distance. Just an hour away by car, and you find yourself from an area where the despair of Syrian refugees reigns, to Beirut, where masses of Catholics have flocked to establish themselves in faith and hope alongside the Pope.

More than one critical voice was heard in the days leading up to the Pope's visit to Lebanon. Let's not talk about the Salafi sheikh who wanted to get an apology from Benedict XVI for his speech in Regensburg at a time when all communities expressed the hope that the Pope's visit would provide something like a "truce". This is what happened, if we do not take into account the demonstrations that took place these days in Tripoli against the film "Innocence of Muslims", during which one person was killed and thirty wounded.

“The Pope’s visit met with a huge positive response because it was perceived by our people as a happy break,” explains Lebanese economist and historian Jord Korm. - The population is desperate, everyone's nerves are bared. Added to political tensions is a significant rise in crime rates. In some areas of the country there is no electricity for 12-18 hours a day. In many regions, water does not flow from taps. The socio-economic situation is very bad. Even a short moment of happiness means a lot against the background of a difficult life that we have been leading for 40-50 years. "

“But it couldn't continue,” added Korm. The visit to Lebanon of John Paul II in 1997 was a great moment in the history of the country, because from here the Pope's appeal to the entire Middle East and West was heard, but this message remained unanswered. A month after the departure of Benedict XVI in the Christian quarter of Ashrafi, in the very center Beirut, the head of the secret services was killed during a terrorist attack. Korm believes that there are many reasons for Lebanon's weakness. One of them is the division of the population into communities, which hinders the development of citizenship, since people identify themselves not with the country, but with one of the eighteen confessional groups recognized by the state.

There is no educational work that would show the significance of the traditions of Lebanese Christians. Sorm explains: “You will not find a single textbook in our schools that tells about the history of the church in Antioch, but the history of France or the United States of America is memorized. People think Christianity originated in Rome. If you write a book on the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, it will become a bestseller. But if you write a book about the complexity of the situation existing here, then you will not be able to sell much ... ".

The words with which the Supreme Mufti of the Lebanese Sunnis, Mohammed Rashid Kabbani, addressed the Pope, were understood by many as a call to Christians not to leave the Middle East, because their presence is a guarantee of social unity. The Mufti said: "We support the call for Christians in the Mashriq to stay in the Arab world and continue to play an important role in national affairs in the hope that this will help preserve the integrity of the social fabric in this part of the world."

Antoine Messarra, a Maronite Catholic member of the Lebanese Constitutional Court, considers these words very important: “So, Arab Islam is liberating itself and we need to help it liberate itself. It is a shame that Christians in the Arab world have taken a step back. Lebanese Muslims need Christians to support their traditions of freedom. I think this is the meaning of the mufti's statement. It is very embarrassing that religions are divided into those that inspire fear and religions that are gripped by fear. Imagine, for example, that I am afraid of Islam. But Islam is a part of my culture, it is included in my daily life and relationships! ”

Earlier, Pravmir had already raised the topic of the rather alarming situation of Christians in the Middle East. Largely in order to discuss the situation of the Christian population, a delegation of representatives of the Russian public visited the Republic of Lebanon from 14 to 17 July. The delegation included representatives of various public organizations of Russia, leading higher educational institutions of Russia, journalists from leading news agencies, in particular, the Voice of Russia.

Dmitry Pakhomov, director of the Foundation for Support of Christian Churches "International Fund for Christian Solidarity", told our portal about the results of the trip and the situation in Lebanon.

- Dmitry, with whom did you manage to talk in Lebanon during your trip?

Our delegation was received at a very high level: President of the Republic Michel Suleiman, Patriarch-Cardinal of the Maronite Catholic Church Beshara Boutros al-Rai, who recently paid an official visit to Moscow, and Lebanese Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn.

- And what can you say about the position of Christians in the country?

Now the position of Christians is quite tolerant, but everyone with whom we met, especially the president and the cardinal, expressed great concern about the events that are now taking place in Syria. According to them, this has a direct impact on their country. According to the Patriarch-Cardinal, the activities of Wahhabi Islamic radicals are now intensifying in Lebanon. Recently, the media reported about uprisings in two cities of the republic. They were suppressed with the help of the army, but the servicemen suffered heavy losses.

- And what did the Wahhabis formally demanded?

They wanted to obstruct Lebanon's policy of supporting Bashar al-Assad's regime.

- But these are purely political demands. How can they affect the position of Christians?

In Lebanon and Syria, there is a saying: "Two countries, one people." The fact is that the Lebanese and Syrians really do recognize themselves as one people. In the 20th century, for example, Lebanese Christians were saved from reprisals by radical Islamists by the father of the current Syrian president, Hafes Assad. Christians then had to personally turn to him for protection, and Syrian troops were brought into Lebanon, which helped to stop the bloodshed. Since then, one of the streets of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, has been named after Hafes Assad. Therefore, the Wahhabis' rejection of everything related to Assad involuntarily hits Christians.

At the moment, we can say that Christians in Lebanon live quite calmly. When we climbed the mountain serpentine to the residence of the Maronite Patriarch, at a distance of more than two hundred kilometers, I did not see a single mosque. It was a completely Christian area, where literally every hundred meters there are churches of different confessions, and in the mountains there are ancient monasteries, built one and a half thousand years ago. Caves where ancient monks lived were carved into the rocks.

- Can you say what percentage of Christians and what denominations live in Lebanon?

The fact is that the last census was carried out only in the 20s of the 20th century. Since then, the Constitution has not been deliberately changed in this country and no censuses have been carried out so as not to provoke conflicts on religious grounds. Therefore, there is currently no official data, and any statistics in Lebanon on this matter are prohibited. As for unofficial data, now the total number of Christians in Lebanon is about 45%, that is, a good half of the population. Previously, their number exceeded 60%.

There are a total of 8 Christian denominations in Lebanon. The most numerous is the Armenian Church. Many churches belong to the Catholics-Maronites, some - to the Greek-Orthodox. Recently, an Orthodox Christian party was even created in the country. The Maronite Church, by the way, is one of the largest landowners in Lebanon. A significant part of the generals of the Lebanese army consists of Christians and Shiites.

- Has the situation of Christians in Lebanon worsened recently?

Partially. There are already episodic pogroms and cases of looting, mainly in areas dominated by the Sunni population. While they are harshly suppressed by the police. Now the main task of the Lebanese leadership is to preserve the status quo in relations between confessions and thereby preserve Lebanese statehood. By the way, Patriarch Beshara Boutros al-Rai noted the outstanding role of the Russian Orthodox Church and personally in the protection of Christians in their country. Our foundation also opens its representative office in Lebanon.