Lebanese General Information

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The People

Name of Country Lebanon

Population 3.8 million (July 2005 estimate)

Government Republic

Ethnic Groups 95% of the population are Arabic; 4% are Armenian.

Religions 59.7% of the population are Muslim with 5 legally recognised Islamic groups - Shi'te, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri. 39% are Christian.

Languages Arabic is the official language but French, English and Armenian are widely understood.

Background

Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions and regaining its national sovereignty since 1991 and the end of the devastating 16 year civil war. Under the Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese have established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater say in the political process while institutionalising sectarian divisions in the government.

Since the end of the war, the Lebanese have conducted successful elections, militias have weakened or disbanded, and the central government authority over the country has extended. Syria maintained about 25,000 troops in Lebanon until April 2005, when popular pressure led to their withdrawal after Prime Minister Rafik Kariri was assassinated in February 2005.

The civil war led to extensive damage to Lebanon's economic infrastructure, with Lebanon no longer being the business and banking hub of the Middle East. Peace has, however, allowed the central government to begin restoring the country's economy.

The government's approach to rebuilding infrastructure has been relatively successful. However, the gap between rich and poor widened significantly in the 1990s and this caused community dissatisfaction and the government shifted focus from rebuilding infrastructure to improving living conditions. Almost 30% of the population live below the poverty line (1999 estimate).

History of Migration

Lebanese migration to Australia began in the 1880s. Many of these migrants became involved in businesses such as grocery, drapery and clothing shops. However, the number of Lebanese people arriving in Australia in the 19th century was small.

The second influx of Lebanese people occurred after the second world war. These migrants, unlike the first, were not fleeing poor conditions at home, but wanted to live and work in a new country. These settlers typically worked in car manufacturing plants and other heavy industries before moving into small businesses. The second wave of immigration played an important role in consolidating Arabic institutions such as Mosques, Churches, clubs and associations.

The third wave of migrants came as a result of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

The most recent wave of migration began in 1976 with large numbers of Lebanese people migrating to Australia as a result of the civil war in their homeland.

Lebanese Community in NSW

• 53,285 people or 0.8% of the NSW population was born in Lebanon.
• 145,737 people or 2.3% of the population spoke Arabic (33.4% of speakers were born in Lebanon and 43.5% were born in Australia).
• Arabic speaking people make up the largest language group in NSW after English
• 15% of the people living in NSW who practise Islam were born in Lebanon (almost 22,000). There are as many Lebanese born Catholics.

(2001 Census)

Some Cultural Aspects of Lebanese Life

The government policy of confessionalism, or the grouping of people by religion, plays a critical role in Lebanon's political and social life and has given rise to Lebanon's most persistent and bitter conflicts. At the time of Lebanon's independence in the 1940s, there were more Christians than Muslims. In the following years, many Muslims migrated to Lebanon and with a higher birthrate than Christians, Muslims became the majority group in Lebanon. Today, an estimated 70% of Lebanese are Muslim, while most of the remaining 30% are Christian.

Many Lebanese value individualism, which contributes to their creativity and inventiveness. People strive to gain influence, to accumulate and display wealth, which are signs of success and thereby win respect.

At the same time loyalty to family and friends, and personal honour are highly valued qualities. Close family relationships remain central to the lives of many Lebanese and this includes extended family. Those remaining within families enjoy strong family bonds and protection. While many men and women mix freely socially, sex before marriage is considered by many a taboo and can in extreme situations mean death, particularly for a woman.

Many Lebanese people enjoy spending time together with family and friends. Sharing good food is an important cultural activity that reinforces social and family bonds.

Lebanon's rich history has been shaped by many cultural traditions, including Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Islamic (including Mamluk), Crusaders, Ottoman Turkish, French, and recently American. The resulting culture is distinctively Lebanese, a combination of East and West, past and present. Folk music and dancing have a long tradition and are very popular. Influential Lebanese writers emerged in the early 20th century and greatly influenced the Arabic language. Painters, sculptors, performers and producers in theatre, film and television have also distinguished themselves.

Attitudes towards People with Disability

It can almost be generalised that in Lebanese culture, across all religions, the traditional response to people with disability is based on a system of care and support provided by the family. The importance placed on strong family relationships and family loyalty, as well as friends, serve people with disability well and provide a constant source of support. The notion of family support of people with disability remains strong and Lebanese families in Australia frequently continue the tradition. This can sometimes also mean bringing to Australia a family member living overseas.

Achmed
Achmed was born with a physical disability 17 years ago and has lived in Australia all his life. His parents who had migrated from Lebanon sent him to a private school where he has done well and he is looking forward to going to university and studying Chemistry.

The only thing that worries Achmed is that his mother is getting older and increasingly unable to provide for his physical care. A cousin of the family is keen to come to Australia to care for Achmed. An application for a Carer's Visa was submitted 9 months ago. The family continues to wait for a response.

While people with disability are often treated well within the family setting, the way people from Lebanese background may make sense of disability can also lead to stigmatisation and isolation from the community.

Some people believe that disability is shameful as it is a punishment or curse from God for a wrong that the family has done. Having a family member with disability can sometimes be perceived as tainting the family's ancestry and can debase the prospect of marriage for other members of the family.

Sometimes parents can blame each other and each other's ancestry for the curse and the resulting disability. It is usually the women of the family, however, who bear the brunt of caring responsibilities, with the caring responsibilities sometimes passed on from mother to daughter after the mother's death.

Hahed
Nahed is of Lebanese background and has an intellectual disability. She is the youngest in the family (15 years old) and is ordered by her father and brothers to help their mother with all the household chores and the care of an elderly uncle.

She has stopped going to school, due to all the expectations and tasks given to her.

In contrast, disability can also be considered a 'gift' from God, because 'helping the disadvantaged' will reap blessings and rewards in the after life. It is seen as a destiny, so the caring of the person with a disability is considered a commitment and a privilege.

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