Total population | |
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2-3.5 million[1] | |
Religions | |
Shia Islam, Sunni Islam, Alawite |
Islam by country |
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Islam portal |
Islam in Lebanon has a long and continuous history. According to an estimate by the CIA, it is followed by 69.3% of the country's total population, up from about 30% of population in 1950s (excluding Druzes).[3] Sunnis make up 31.9%,[4] Twelver Shia make up 32%,[5] next to smaller percentages of other Shia branches, such as Alawites and Ismailis. The Druze community is designated as one of the five Lebanese Muslim communities (Sunni, Shia, Druze, Alawi, and Ismaili),[6][7] even though most Druze do not identify as Muslims,[8][9][10][11][12] and they do not accept the five pillars of Islam.[13]
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.
[Druze] often they are not regarded as being Muslim at all, nor do all the Druze consider themselves as Muslim
Most Druze do not consider themselves Muslim. Historically they faced much persecution and keep their religious beliefs secrets.
While they appear parallel to those of normative Islam, in the Druze religion they are different in meaning and interpretation. The religion is considered distinct from the Ismaili as well as from other Muslims belief and practice... Most Druze consider themselves fully assimilated in American society and do not necessarily identify as Muslims..
Theologically, one would have to conclude that the Druze are not Muslims. They do not accept the five pillars of Islam. In place of these principles the Druze have instituted the seven precepts noted above..