It's been just about one month since I've left the states to visit my homeland Lebanon. Since I'm a bit wiser than I was four years ago, this trip has been extremely eye opening to the things I never really noticed during my previous visits.
One interesting fact to note is the sectarian state in which Lebanon has become accustomed to. Lebanon has a mix of religions in the small region. Everything from Christian, Catholic, Evangilical, Roman, Protestant, Sunni Muslim, Shiite Muslim, Allawi, Druze, even a small population of the Jewish faith believe it or not. With that being said, it is a very segregated state based on your religion. With the exception of Beirut and the outskirts of Beirut, people who believe in the same faith tend to live in the same towns. Some towns do have a mix of religions however.
This segregation of state has created alot of tension and hostility towards other religions. In fact, up until recently, if you wanted to marry someone from a different religion, you would have to flee the country in order to do so. Now, a civil marriage has been introduce to the country in which people from different religions may get married without the need to convert to another religion if they do not wish to do so.
This concept of their reality is fascinating to me because it is nothing I can relate to in America. In America, we've become adapted to interracial dating of all kinds and I am very grateful for that because it teaches us acceptance of other cultures and religions. Lebanon still has a long way to go before they can look past the barrier of religious diversity in terms of marriage.
As far as friendships go, this idea of sectarianism doesn't interfere. My generation is certainly making some serious changes, especially in Beirut. People of all religions in Beirut are dating one another and I am looking forward to the coming years. Previously, it wasn't too common that people from other religions dated or even got married. The years ahead will hopefully break the sectarian state that Lebanon has adapted to. Until next time... Love and Light.
One interesting fact to note is the sectarian state in which Lebanon has become accustomed to. Lebanon has a mix of religions in the small region. Everything from Christian, Catholic, Evangilical, Roman, Protestant, Sunni Muslim, Shiite Muslim, Allawi, Druze, even a small population of the Jewish faith believe it or not. With that being said, it is a very segregated state based on your religion. With the exception of Beirut and the outskirts of Beirut, people who believe in the same faith tend to live in the same towns. Some towns do have a mix of religions however.
This segregation of state has created alot of tension and hostility towards other religions. In fact, up until recently, if you wanted to marry someone from a different religion, you would have to flee the country in order to do so. Now, a civil marriage has been introduce to the country in which people from different religions may get married without the need to convert to another religion if they do not wish to do so.
This concept of their reality is fascinating to me because it is nothing I can relate to in America. In America, we've become adapted to interracial dating of all kinds and I am very grateful for that because it teaches us acceptance of other cultures and religions. Lebanon still has a long way to go before they can look past the barrier of religious diversity in terms of marriage.
As far as friendships go, this idea of sectarianism doesn't interfere. My generation is certainly making some serious changes, especially in Beirut. People of all religions in Beirut are dating one another and I am looking forward to the coming years. Previously, it wasn't too common that people from other religions dated or even got married. The years ahead will hopefully break the sectarian state that Lebanon has adapted to. Until next time... Love and Light.
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