Lebanese Sunni Muslims (Arabic: المسلمون السنة اللبنانيين) refers to Lebanese people who are adherents of the Sunni branch of Islam in Lebanon, which is one of the largest denomination in Lebanon tied with Shias. Sunni Islam in Lebanon has a history of more than a millennium. According to a CIA 2018 study, Lebanese Sunni Muslims constitute an estimated 30.6% of Lebanon's population.[1] (However, in a country that had last census in 1932, it is difficult to have correct population estimates)
The Lebanese Sunni Muslims are highly concentrated in Lebanon's capital city - Beirut (West Beirut /or Beirut II), as well as Tripoli, Sidon, Western Beqaa, and in the countryside of the Akkar, Arsal. They also have a notable presence in Zahlé, Southern Lebanon, Marjaayoun and Chebaa.[2]
Under the terms of an unwritten agreement known as the National Pact between the various political and religious leaders of Lebanon, Sunni notables traditionally held power in the Lebanese state together, and they are still the only ones eligible for the post of Prime Minister.[3]
An estimate of the distribution of Lebanon's main religious groups, 1991, based on a map by GlobalSecurity.org
Lebanon religious groups distribution
An estimate of the area distribution of Lebanon's main religious groups
Origins
The cultural and linguistic heritage of the Lebanese people is a blend of both indigenous Phoenician elements, Arab culture and the foreign cultures that have come to rule the land and its people over the course of thousands of years. In an interview from 2013, the lead investigator, Pierre Zalloua, pointed out that genetic variation preceded religious variation and divisions: Lebanon already had well-differentiated communities with their own genetic peculiarities, but not significant differences, and religions came as layers of paint on top. There is no distinct pattern that shows that one community carries significantly more Phoenician than another."[4]
Genealogical DNA testing has shown that 27,7% of Lebanese Muslims (non-Druze) belong to the Y-DNAhaplogroup J1. Although there is common ancestral roots, these studies show some difference was found between Muslims and non-Muslims in Lebanon, of whom only 17.1% have this haplotype. As haplogroup J1 finds its putative origins in the Arabian peninsula, this likely means that the lineage was introduced by Arabs beginning at the time of the 7th century Muslim conquest of the Levant and has persisted among the Muslim population ever since. On the other hand, only 4.7% of all Lebanese Muslims belong to haplogroup R1b, compared to 9.6% of Lebanese Christians. Modern Muslims in Lebanon thus do not seem to have a significant genetic influence from the Crusaders, who probably introduced this common Western European marker to the extant Christian populations of the Levant when they were active in the region from 1096 until around the turn of the 14th century. Haplogroup J2 is also a significant marker in throughout Lebanon (27%). This marker is found in many inhabitants of Lebanon, regardless of religion, signals pre-Arab descendants, including the Phoenicians. These genetic studies show us there is no significant differences between the Muslims and non-Muslims of Lebanon.[5]
Relations
With Saudi Arabia
The Sunnis of Lebanon have close ties with Saudi Arabia, who supports them financially.[6][7] Moreover, Tripoli, the stronghold of the Lebanese Sunnis, is also the birthplace of Lebanon's Salafi Movement.[8]
With Lebanese Alawites and Syria
The Lebanese Sunni Muslims initially opposed the creation of the Lebanese state separated from Syria, where the majority of the population was also Sunni Muslim, and wanted the territory of present-day Lebanon to be incorporated within the so-called Greater Syria.[9]
Sunni Muslims and Alawites have been in conflict with each other for centuries. The Alawites of the Levant were oppressed by the Sunni Ottoman Empire, but gained power and influence when the French recruited Alawites as soldiers during the French mandate of Syria.[10][11][12] After independence from France, their co-religionists, the Assad family, came to power in Syria in 1970.[13]
Over the years, there have been numerous clashes between the Sunni and Alawi communities in Tripoli, particularly over the past 14 months since Syria's uprising began, as part of the Arab Spring that started in Tunisia. The deadliest exchange took place last June, when seven people were killed and more than 60 wounded, after Sunni Muslims staged a protest against the Syrian government.
At the best of times, the Alawites are regarded by Sunnis as heretics; at times of tension, when thousands of Sunnis in Syria are being killed, they are regarded as the enemy. And when a popular Sunni figure is strangely abducted and arrested by Lebanon's General Security Service – an organization linked to the Hezbollah militia that, in turn, is linked to the Syrian government – the Alawites become the whipping boys.[14]
Geographic distribution within Lebanon
Lebanese Sunni Muslims are concentrated in cities of west Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon and in north Lebanon in the Akkar and minyeh dinnieh districts, middle and west bekaa, Chouf district and laqlouq in mount lebanon , hasbaya district, and Northeastern Beqaa Valley mainly in and around the city of Arsal.[15]
Note that the following percentages are estimates only. However, in a country that had last census in 1932, it is difficult to have correct population estimates.
The last census in Lebanon in 1932 put the numbers of Sunnis at 22% of the population (178,100 of 791,700).[17] A study done by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1985 put the numbers of Sunnis at 27% of the population (595,000 of 2,228,000).[17] Sunni Muslims constitute 27% of Lebanon's population, according to a 2012 estimate.[16] And more recently, in 2018 the CIA World Factbook estimated that Sunni Muslims constitute 30.6%[19] of Lebanon's population.[20][21]
Notable Lebanese Sunni Muslims
Activists and journalists
Anbara Salam Khalidi, a feminist, translator and author, who significantly contributed to the emancipation of Arab women
Nahla Chahal, writer, journalist, researcher, and activist
Salim Ali Salam, former deputy from Beirut to the Ottoman Parliament, former President of the Municipality of Beirut, and former President of the Muslim Society of Benevolent Intentions (al-Makassed)
Saeb Salam, politician, who served as Prime Minister six times between 1952 and 1973
Mohamad Harmouche, Honorary consul of Belize to Lebanon
^Lebanon Overview World Directory of Minorities. June 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
^International Religious Freedom Report 2008 US Department of State. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
^Maroon, Habib (31 March 2013). "A geneticist with a unifying message". Nature. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
^Zalloua, Pierre A., Y-Chromosomal Diversity in Lebanon Is Structured by Recent Historical Events, The American Journal of Human Genetics 82, 873–882, April 2008
^Lucy Fielder (23–29 June 2011). "Trial by fire for Lebanon's government". Al Ahram Weekly (1053). Retrieved 28 December 2013.
^. Hugh Macleod. Archived from the original on 2 August 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
^Garrett Nada (10 May 2013). . Wilson Center. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
^Reva Bhalla (5 May 2011). Making Sense of the Syrian Crisis Stratfor. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
^Seale, Patrick. Asad Of Syria : The Struggle For The Middle East / Patrick Seale With The Assistance Of Maureen McConville. Seale, Patrick. Berkeley : University of California Press, 1989, c1988.
^Robert Kaplan (February 1993). "Syria: Identity Crisis". The Atlantic. But the coup of 1970, which brought an Alawi air force officer, Hafez Assad, to power, was what finally ended the instability that had reigned in Syria since the advent of independence.
^Patrick Martin, (14 May 2012). Syria's war ignites sectarian strife in Lebanon The Global and Mail. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
^Lebanon Sunnis Overview 2015-01-16 at the Wayback Machine World Directory of Minorities. June 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
lebanese, sunni, muslims, arabic, المسلمون, السنة, اللبنانيين, refers, lebanese, people, adherents, sunni, branch, islam, lebanon, which, largest, denomination, lebanon, tied, with, shias, sunni, islam, lebanon, history, more, than, millennium, according, 2018. Lebanese Sunni Muslims Arabic المسلمون السنة اللبنانيين refers to Lebanese people who are adherents of the Sunni branch of Islam in Lebanon which is one of the largest denomination in Lebanon tied with Shias Sunni Islam in Lebanon has a history of more than a millennium According to a CIA 2018 study Lebanese Sunni Muslims constitute an estimated 30 6 of Lebanon s population 1 However in a country that had last census in 1932 it is difficult to have correct population estimates Lebanese Sunni Muslimsالمسلمون السنة اللبنانيينDistribution of Sunni Muslims in LebanonLanguagesVernacular Lebanese ArabicReligionIslam Sunni Islam The Lebanese Sunni Muslims are highly concentrated in Lebanon s capital city Beirut West Beirut or Beirut II as well as Tripoli Sidon Western Beqaa and in the countryside of the Akkar Arsal They also have a notable presence in Zahle Southern Lebanon Marjaayoun and Chebaa 2 Under the terms of an unwritten agreement known as the National Pact between the various political and religious leaders of Lebanon Sunni notables traditionally held power in the Lebanese state together and they are still the only ones eligible for the post of Prime Minister 3 Contents 1 History 1 1 Origins 1 2 Genetics 2 Relations 2 1 With Saudi Arabia 2 2 With Lebanese Alawites and Syria 3 Geographic distribution within Lebanon 4 Demographics 5 Notable Lebanese Sunni Muslims 5 1 Activists and journalists 5 2 Artists 5 3 Politicians Diplomats and Public Servants 5 4 Religious Figures 5 5 Businessmen 5 6 Sportsman 6 See also 7 ReferencesHistory Edit An estimate of the distribution of Lebanon s main religious groups 1991 based on a map by GlobalSecurity org Lebanon religious groups distribution An estimate of the area distribution of Lebanon s main religious groups Origins Edit The cultural and linguistic heritage of the Lebanese people is a blend of both indigenous Phoenician elements Arab culture and the foreign cultures that have come to rule the land and its people over the course of thousands of years In an interview from 2013 the lead investigator Pierre Zalloua pointed out that genetic variation preceded religious variation and divisions Lebanon already had well differentiated communities with their own genetic peculiarities but not significant differences and religions came as layers of paint on top There is no distinct pattern that shows that one community carries significantly more Phoenician than another 4 Genetics Edit Further information Lebanese people Genetics See also Lebanese Shia Muslims Genetics Genealogical DNA testing has shown that 27 7 of Lebanese Muslims non Druze belong to the Y DNA haplogroup J1 Although there is common ancestral roots these studies show some difference was found between Muslims and non Muslims in Lebanon of whom only 17 1 have this haplotype As haplogroup J1 finds its putative origins in the Arabian peninsula this likely means that the lineage was introduced by Arabs beginning at the time of the 7th century Muslim conquest of the Levant and has persisted among the Muslim population ever since On the other hand only 4 7 of all Lebanese Muslims belong to haplogroup R1b compared to 9 6 of Lebanese Christians Modern Muslims in Lebanon thus do not seem to have a significant genetic influence from the Crusaders who probably introduced this common Western European marker to the extant Christian populations of the Levant when they were active in the region from 1096 until around the turn of the 14th century Haplogroup J2 is also a significant marker in throughout Lebanon 27 This marker is found in many inhabitants of Lebanon regardless of religion signals pre Arab descendants including the Phoenicians These genetic studies show us there is no significant differences between the Muslims and non Muslims of Lebanon 5 Relations EditWith Saudi Arabia Edit The Sunnis of Lebanon have close ties with Saudi Arabia who supports them financially 6 7 Moreover Tripoli the stronghold of the Lebanese Sunnis is also the birthplace of Lebanon s Salafi Movement 8 With Lebanese Alawites and Syria Edit The Lebanese Sunni Muslims initially opposed the creation of the Lebanese state separated from Syria where the majority of the population was also Sunni Muslim and wanted the territory of present day Lebanon to be incorporated within the so called Greater Syria 9 Sunni Muslims and Alawites have been in conflict with each other for centuries The Alawites of the Levant were oppressed by the Sunni Ottoman Empire but gained power and influence when the French recruited Alawites as soldiers during the French mandate of Syria 10 11 12 After independence from France their co religionists the Assad family came to power in Syria in 1970 13 Over the years there have been numerous clashes between the Sunni and Alawi communities in Tripoli particularly over the past 14 months since Syria s uprising began as part of the Arab Spring that started in Tunisia The deadliest exchange took place last June when seven people were killed and more than 60 wounded after Sunni Muslims staged a protest against the Syrian government At the best of times the Alawites are regarded by Sunnis as heretics at times of tension when thousands of Sunnis in Syria are being killed they are regarded as the enemy And when a popular Sunni figure is strangely abducted and arrested by Lebanon s General Security Service an organization linked to the Hezbollah militia that in turn is linked to the Syrian government the Alawites become the whipping boys 14 Geographic distribution within Lebanon EditLebanese Sunni Muslims are concentrated in cities of west Beirut Tripoli Sidon and in north Lebanon in the Akkar and minyeh dinnieh districts middle and west bekaa Chouf district and laqlouq in mount lebanon hasbaya district and Northeastern Beqaa Valley mainly in and around the city of Arsal 15 Demographics EditLebanese Sunni Muslims 16 17 18 Year Percent1932 22 1985 27 2012 27 2018 30 6 Note that the following percentages are estimates only However in a country that had last census in 1932 it is difficult to have correct population estimates The last census in Lebanon in 1932 put the numbers of Sunnis at 22 of the population 178 100 of 791 700 17 A study done by the Central Intelligence Agency CIA in 1985 put the numbers of Sunnis at 27 of the population 595 000 of 2 228 000 17 Sunni Muslims constitute 27 of Lebanon s population according to a 2012 estimate 16 And more recently in 2018 the CIA World Factbook estimated that Sunni Muslims constitute 30 6 19 of Lebanon s population 20 21 Notable Lebanese Sunni Muslims EditActivists and journalists Edit Anbara Salam Khalidi a feminist translator and author who significantly contributed to the emancipation of Arab women Nahla Chahal writer journalist researcher and activistArtists Edit Randa Chahal Sabag film director producer and screenwriter Suzanne Tamim the late singer Fadl Shaker singer Walid Toufic singer Wael Jassar singerPoliticians Diplomats and Public Servants Edit Mohamad Rassoul Salim Ali Salam former deputy from Beirut to the Ottoman Parliament former President of the Municipality of Beirut and former President of the Muslim Society of Benevolent Intentions al Makassed Saeb Salam politician who served as Prime Minister six times between 1952 and 1973 Mohamad Harmouche Honorary consul of Belize to Lebanon Riad Al Solh the first Prime Minister of Lebanon 1943 1945 after the country s independence Emir Khaled Chehab former Prime Minister of Lebanon and Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon Rafik Hariri assassinated former Prime Minister of Lebanon Saad Hariri former Prime Minister of Lebanon Fouad Siniora former Prime Minister of Lebanon Abdul Hamid Karami former Prime Minister of Lebanon Omar Karami former Prime Minister of Lebanon Rashid Karami former Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati Prime Minister of Lebanon Tammam Salam politician and current Prime Minister of Lebanon Mohamad Chatah assassinated Lebanese economist and diplomat Ashraf Rifi former major general and director of the Lebanese Internal Security Forces and current minister of justice Hassan Diab former prime minister of Lebanon Salam Yamout current president of the Lebanese National Bloc political party Nawaf Salam a diplomat jurist and academic He acted as judge on the International Court of Justice for the 2018 2027 termWissam al Hassan assassinated brigadier general at the Lebanese Internal Security Forces ISF Ali Al Hajj former major general and director of the Lebanese Internal Security ForcesReligious Figures Edit Hassan Khaled late former leader of Lebanon s Sunni Muslim communityBusinessmen Edit Al Waleed bin Talal Saudi Lebanese businessman and grandson of Riad Al Solh Lebanon s first Prime Minister Sportsman Edit Hazem El Masri Lebanese Australian professional rugby league playerSee also EditReligion in Lebanon Lebanese Shia Muslims Lebanese Druze Lebanese Maronite Christians Lebanese Melkite Christians Lebanese Greek Orthodox Christians Lebanese Protestant Christians Bab al Tabbaneh Jabal Mohsen conflictReferences Edit Lebanon people and society Lebanon Overview World Directory of Minorities June 2008 Retrieved 28 December 2013 International Religious Freedom Report 2008 US Department of State Retrieved 28 December 2013 Maroon Habib 31 March 2013 A geneticist with a unifying message Nature Retrieved 2013 10 03 Zalloua Pierre A Y Chromosomal Diversity in Lebanon Is Structured by Recent Historical Events The American Journal of Human Genetics 82 873 882 April 2008 Lucy Fielder 23 29 June 2011 Trial by fire for Lebanon s government Al Ahram Weekly 1053 Retrieved 28 December 2013 Tripoli Hugh Macleod Archived from the original on 2 August 2010 Retrieved 4 July 2010 Garrett Nada 10 May 2013 Lebanon s Sheikhs Take on Assad and Hezbollah Wilson Center Archived from the original on 30 December 2013 Retrieved 28 December 2013 Greater Syria By Daniel Pipes Mordechai Nisan Minorities in the Middle East a history of struggle and self expression McFarland 2002 ISBN 0 7864 1375 1 ISBN 978 0 7864 1375 1 Reva Bhalla 5 May 2011 Making Sense of the Syrian Crisis Stratfor Retrieved 28 December 2013 Seale Patrick Asad Of Syria The Struggle For The Middle East Patrick Seale With The Assistance Of Maureen McConville Seale Patrick Berkeley University of California Press 1989 c1988 Robert Kaplan February 1993 Syria Identity Crisis The Atlantic But the coup of 1970 which brought an Alawi air force officer Hafez Assad to power was what finally ended the instability that had reigned in Syria since the advent of independence Patrick Martin 14 May 2012 Syria s war ignites sectarian strife in Lebanon The Global and Mail Retrieved 28 December 2013 Lebanon Sunnis Overview Archived 2015 01 16 at the Wayback Machine World Directory of Minorities June 2008 Retrieved 28 December 2013 a b 2012 Report on International Religious Freedom Lebanon United States Department of State 20 May 2013 Retrieved 15 December 2013 a b c Contemporary distribution of Lebanon s main religious groups Central Intelligence Agency Retrieved 15 December 2013 Lebanon people and society Lebanon people and society Lebanon August 2021 est Lebanon people and society Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lebanese Sunni Muslims amp oldid 1142332895, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
