Lebanon, once a predominantly Christian nation just a few decades ago, has undergone a dramatic transformation. It wasn’t long ago that around 60% of parliamentary seats were reserved for Christian leaders. Fast forward to today, and the country is now recognized as having a Muslim majority, a stark contrast to its past.
In recent events, the Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of key Hezbollah leaders, including commander Hassan Nasrallah. This has led to widespread turmoil across the nation, which is now viewed as a stronghold for extremist Islamic groups, known for their deep-seated animosity toward Jews and Christians. Yet, it’s important to remember that only fifty years ago, Lebanon was a Christian-majority nation, with Muslims making up less than 30% of the population.
What’s Happening in Lebanon?
Just last week, Israeli strikes claimed the lives of several Hezbollah leaders, escalating tensions. Hezbollah, an extremist group with significant influence in both parliament and government, has long been vocal against Israel, particularly regarding the Palestinian issue. Recent conflicts have intensified following Hamas’s attacks on Israel. Amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict, Hezbollah seized the opportunity to launch attacks against Israel, raising the specter of war across the Middle East. Notably, Lebanon, along with much of the region, was once predominantly Christian.
A Historical Perspective
The last census in Lebanon dates back to 1932. In the 1950s, Christians comprised about 70% of the population, with Muslims and followers of other religions making up the remainder. Today, however, reports suggest that around 70% of the population is Muslim, including Shia, Sunni, and others, with the Christian community shrinking significantly.
Until the 1970s, Lebanon stood out in the Middle East as the only non-Muslim-majority nation, while Israel was predominantly Jewish. Beirut was often referred to as the “Paris of the East,” serving as a bustling hub for trade connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe. Merchants from various backgrounds thrived here, practicing their faith openly.
Political and Religious Shifts
Political power in Lebanon has historically been divided along religious lines, with Christians holding about 60% of key positions. However, growing discontent among the Muslim population over representation led to significant shifts. Many Christians living among a Muslim majority converted to Islam, complicating religious dynamics further. An Oxford University report highlighted the difficulties faced by converts wishing to revert to Christianity, often met with severe penalties.
The early 20th century saw profound changes in Lebanon’s religious makeup, particularly during the Lebanese Civil War—a brutal conflict between Christian and Muslim factions that raged from the 1970s to the 1990s. Palestinian refugees, who also settled in Lebanon, played a significant role in this conflict, often finding themselves at odds with the Christian population, further complicating inter-community relations.
Foreign Involvement and Division
Though it started as a civil war, external forces from neighboring countries like Syria and Iraq intervened, supporting Muslim factions, while Israel backed Christian groups. This led to the emergence of extremist factions such as Hezbollah, Amal, and the Muslim Socialist Party. The conflict ultimately came to a halt with the Taif Agreement in the early 1990s, which restructured political power-sharing between religious groups.
Under this agreement, the presidency was reserved for Christians, while the prime minister’s position was allocated to Sunni Muslims, along with a division of parliamentary seats along religious lines.
Demographic Changes
The aftermath of the civil war saw a significant number of Christians emigrate to Western countries, a trend that continued long after the conflict ended. In the ensuing years, Muslim refugees from Palestine, Syria, and Jordan settled in Lebanon, further altering the demographic landscape. Today, the balance of political power has shifted significantly toward Muslim leaders, reflecting the changing religious composition of the country.
Lebanon’s transformation is part of a broader narrative across the Middle East, where Christianity once flourished. According to the Jerusalem and Middle East Church Association, Christianity spread from Jerusalem into regions like Syria, Jordan, and Egypt long before the seventh century, when the arrival of Muslim traders initiated a deepening divide that continues to shape the region today.
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