Photo Story

Lebanon, a religious salad bowl

ID # 2651

Lebanon, Middle East
Religion

The Middle East is known for its religious diversity. We know it as the birthplace of the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  Although the most widely practiced faith in the region today is Islam, many other religions call the Middle East their home.  Lebanon is a unique country in the region; it is home to over 17 major religions and religious sects.  By the end of this Photo Story, you will be able to identify Lebanon’s most prominent religions and explain why coexistence is so important in such a small country.

This Photo Story is geared towards students in Grade 8.

The tiny country called Lebanon (roughly the size of New Jersey) is a religious salad bowl.  Since the beginning of Judaism, Lebanon was home to many Jews.  Then, with the onset of Christianity, its population became majority Christian.  Roughly 500 years after the death of Christ, Islam was created, adding yet another religion to the pool.  Today, these three religions (as well as many sects and offshoots) have a stronghold in Lebanon.

Here’s a list of Lebanon’s most common religious groups: Maronite Catholic, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Melkite Greek Catholic, Assyrian Church of the East, Syriac Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, Evangelical, Jewish, Druze, Alawite, Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Sufi Muslim…and the list goes on!

Photo #1 – A Mosque in the southern city of Tyre

Photo #1 – In certain cities in Lebanon, such as the ancient coastal city of Tyre, one can find the most beautifully constructed mosques.  A mosque is the sacred religious building of those who practice Islam.  Just as a church is identifiable by its cross, a mosque is identifiable by their tall minarets (towers or columns) that are topped with a crescent moon symbol as in the picture above.  As I walked through the city of Tyre, I noticed that this mosque was neighbored by a church, and another mosque further down the road.  This just goes to show that Lebanese people are able to live as neighbors and friends, regardless of their differences in religion.

What are some of the religious building in the area that you live in?  Are there a lot of churches?  If so, what kinds?  Are there any mosques?  Any Jewish temples?

 

Photo #2: The Roman Catholic Church in Ain Zhalta

Photo #2 – This village, called Ain Zhalta, is located in the mountains of Lebanon — at an elevation of 1,200 meters (or roughly 3,900 feet).  I lived here for four months while I taught English at an Elementary School.  My parents are from Lebanon and our family is Catholic.  In my school, however, most of the students were of another religion: Druze.

Ain Zhalta’s major religious group is Druze, a religion that is unique to Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Jordan. Druze religious men are identifiable by their billowy black pants (called a shirwaal).  The religious women are often seen wearing a white scarf (called a mandeel). Besides the Druze majority, many Christians also live in this village, both Protestant and Catholic.  Lebanon’s history is filled with constant conflict between religious groups; but, for the most part, Druze and Christians have managed to live in peace side-by-side for hundreds of years.

Does your family practice a religion?  Are any of your friends from different religious backgrounds?

 

Photo #3: Rafiq Hariri Mosque in downtown Beirut

Photo #3 – This mosque is one of Lebanon’s most beautiful structures.  It towers above any other building in all of Lebanon. Built by the assassinated ex-Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri, the mosque neighbors many other churches, mosques, and a synagogue in downtown Beirut.  Once religiously divided during the civil war, Beirut now has an integrated population of religious groups.  This mosque, Lebanon’s biggest, is next to one of Lebanon’s most beautifully built Catholic churches.

Photo #4: St. George Orthodox Cathedral

Photo #4 – This Greek Orthodox cathedral neighbors the Hariri mosque.  Just as it appears, the building is quite old.  In fact, it is one of the few buildings in Beirut to have survived the civil war that raged the country 30 years ago.  Greek Orthodox is another type of Christianity that is similar to Catholicism.  In Lebanon, you don’t just see mosques next to churches, but also one kind of church next to another kind of church.
Are there different kinds of Christianity in America, or just one kind?  If there are different kinds, what makes them similar?
Photo #5: Jewish Synagogue in downtown Beirut
Photo #5 – Historically, Lebanon was home to a significant Jewish population.  However, with the creation of the Israeli state in the mid 19th century, many of Lebanon’s Jews emigrated south to Israel.  Today, a Jewish community does still exist, although small and mostly unnoticed.  The synagogue pictured above was reconstructed by the Lebanese government in recent years, after having been badly damaged during the civil war.
Photo #6: A Nativity scene (made out of chocolate) in one of Lebanon’s shopping malls.
Photo #6 – One day after Christmas had passed, I was walking through the mall doing some shopping with my cousin.  I noticed this amazing nativity scene made of pieces of wrapped chocolate.  The nativity scene (which tells the story of Jesus’ birth) in this picture demonstrates Lebanon’s tolerance to religious diversity.  Each religion has its special holidays throughout the year, and the government insures that each one of these holy days is respected.  Students get days off of school for every religious holiday.
Does your school give you days off for religious holidays like Easter or Christmas?  What about the religious holidays of other religions?  Should all religions in the U.S. get holidays off like in Lebanon?
Photo #7: A depiction of Lebanon’s religious diversity

 

Photo #7 – displayed in this work of art are three religious houses of worship: a Druze gathering house, a mosque, and a church.  This painting demonstrates Lebanon’s past and current ability to cope with such diversity.

Lebanon’s many religions are a beautiful trait, but to some people these differences can be a reason to fight and kill.  It is the duty of the Lebanese to study their past and understand their identity in order to coexist in peace.  All religions should be respected and they should unite us, not divide us.  If we can’t learn to live together in peace, we’ll have to pay the price through war and fighting.

Photo credit:

Photos #1, #2, #3, #4, #6, and #7 taken by Joël Hage (myself).

Photo #5 taken from http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2010/08/lebanese-synagogue-restored-but-who.html 

Created By

Joel Hage

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