Freedom of religion in Lebanon

This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (November 2015)

Freedom of religion in Lebanon is a right protected by the state. However to be a Lebanese citizen one must belong to one of the eighteen recognised religions/sects.^[1] The Constitution declares equality of rights and duties for all citizens without discrimination or preference.^[2] This is generally respected between the different sects of Lebanon, however discrimination between different sects/religions does happen.^[3]

Power is distributed among different religious and sectarian groups. The position of president is reserved for a Maronite Christian; the role of Presidency of Parliament for a Shiite Muslim; and the role of Prime Minister for a Sunni Muslim.^[2] The government has generally respected these rights; however, the National Pact agreement in 1943 restricted the constitutional provision for apportioning political offices according to religious affiliation. There have been periodic reports of tension between religious groups, attributable to competition for political power, and citizens continue to struggle with the legacy of the civil war that was fought along sectarian lines.^[1]

In 2023, the non-profit organization Freedom House gave the country a 3 out of 4 score for religious freedom.^[4] The Freedom House is a think tank based and funded by the United States. The think tank focuses on studying the expression of freedom around the world.^[5]