Colonial Sectarianism in Lebanon

posted on: Feb 4, 2026

By: Diksha Tyagi/Arab America Contributing Writer

Lebanon is often portrayed as a nation defined by sectarianism. Division among religious groups seems long-standing and intrinsic. When considering this view, the way that religious identity structures political life seems natural. However, thinking of Lebanon’s diversity as unavoidably problematic overlooks the historical processes that led to this reality, namely the heavy hand of French colonial rule. Though colonial governance did not create sectarianism in Lebanon, it solidified and institutionalized it. Colonial rule established political and social inequality throughout Lebanon’s political and social structures in a manner that lives on today.

Sects in Pre-Colonial Lebanon

Before the French mandate, modern-day Lebanon was part of the Ottoman Empire. Since the 15th century, the nation operated through the millet system. This allowed individual religious communities to maintain a degree of autonomy in their own affairs. Though there existed many overarching regulations, communities could manage internal laws and operations while still remaining a part of the empire.

This system intended to facilitate peaceful coexistence amongst the different religious gorups of the Ottoman Empire. However, sectarian belonging was not fixed or absolute. The system’s main functions were administrative, focusing on tax collection and education. Importantly, religion did not grant political authority. Local authorities ruled smaller areas, allowing differing religious groups to coexist without much intervention from others.

The French Mandate

Following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, France gained control of modern-day Lebanon through a League of Nations mandate in 1920. Though framed as temporary, the French imposed a political structure that formalized the centuries of religious diversity within the Ottoman Empire. The territory included Christian communities such as the Maronites, Greek Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenians that all maintained separate traditions. At Lebanon’s creation, Christian communities were intentionally made a majority by the French. Sunni and Shi’a Muslims as well as the Druze communities followed closely behind. This was so that the religious majority of Lebanon would be the community closest to the French. Yet, an official census has not been made since 1932. This is due to the possibility of conflict that updated numbers could create, with numerous groups claiming majority.

Incorporating such differing groups into one even smaller nation made French authorities decide to manage religious communities as separate political units. This made sectarianism under Ottoman rule, which was administrative and legal, become fully political. Religious identity became the primary organizational factor of the state. 

Sects were formalized through administrative and political roles, were explicitly divided along religious lines. Though they seemed intended to maintain balance, allowing all groups to be represented in government, they also declared differences. Maronite Christians were often favored for senior political roles. This was because they were viewed as the closest to France and at the time holding numerical majority. Uneven educational development as well as closeness to the French language assisted in developing hierarchies that, due to the already existing sects, deepened division between them.

Independence and the National Pact

Once Lebanon became independent in 1943, the political system established by France did not disappear. In fact, the National Pact codified it. This agreement distributed political offices along religious lines. The presidency was reserved for a Maronite Christian, the prime ministership for a Sunni Muslim, and the speakership for a Shi’a Muslim. Parliamentary seats are also allocated proportionally according to religious affiliation.

This was portrayed as a compromise that would allow all voices to be heard. Yet, it puts religion at the forefront of differences. Dividing the population where one’s belonging and political representation is defined only by religion places even more of an emphasis on religion than before. Compromise is less likely to occur if other facets of identity can’t play a role in politics. Therefore, it’s unsurprising that almost all parts of society are impacted by sectarianism.

Though conflict has existed amongst religious groups, it’s necessary to understand that the division seen today isn’t just an inevitable result of differing ideologies. It has been profoundly shaped by the political structures put into place by French colonial rule. Such political decisions easily bleed into the social fabric of a society, leading to much of the economic and administrative concerns facing Lebanon today.

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