Islam in Lebanon


Islam in Lebanon is followed by nearly 60%, including the Druze, of the country's total population: Sunnis make up also 27.4%, with the Shafi'i madhhab being the predominant Sunni group with pockets of Hanafi and Hanbali. Shias make up 26.8%, with Twelvers being the predominant Shia group, followed by Alawites and Ismailis. Several large Sufi orders are active in the country, including the Naqshbandi and Qadiriyya tariqas.
Although not traditionally considered as Muslims, the Druze make up 5.6% of the total population, which under the Lebanese political division the Druze community is designated as one of the five Lebanese Muslim communities.

Demographics

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, the Muslim population is estimated at around 59.5% within the Lebanese territory and of the 8.6–14 million Lebanese diaspora is believed by some to be about 20% of the total population.
The last census in Lebanon in 1932 put the numbers of Muslims at 49% of the population. A study done by the Central Intelligence Agency in 1985 put the numbers of Muslims at 75% of the population.

Current political and religious issues

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.
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.
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.

Branches

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

Shia Islam

The Lebanese Shia Muslims are around 27%–29% 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. The Shiites are largely concentrated in northern and central Beqaa, Southern Lebanon, in south Beirut.

Sunni Islam

The Lebanese Sunni Muslims constitute also about 27%–29% of the total population. Sunni notables traditionally held power in the Lebanese state together, and they are still the only ones eligible for the post of Prime Minister 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.

Druze

The Lebanese Druze constitute 5% of the population and can be found primarily in Mount Lebanon and the Shouf District. which under the Lebanese political division the Druze community is designated as one of the five Lebanese Muslim communities.