09/21/2018 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – Ninety kilometers northeast of Beirut in Lebanon, a joint committee has been created between the Supreme Shi’ite Council and the Maronite Patriarchate. The committee was created as a type of working group to resolve land disputes between Islamic and Christian parties in the town of Lassa.
The issue of improper land use and property ownership has flared on a regular basis in Lebanon, a country whose government maintains a delicate balance between Christian and Islamic political figures. The population demographics of the Lebanese reflect a similar balance, making the integration of different religious identities a complicated challenge. When it comes to the intersection of real estate and religion, the issue often revolves around whether a religious building can exist on the land.
Land has also become a precious commodity in recent years, as Lebanon is home to over a million refugees despite the country’s small size. The church is rapidly growing among the refugee community. Given the political situation in Lebanon and throughout the rest of the region, there is much uncertainty on how the full impact of recent regional events will affect the Lebanese Christian community.
For interviews with Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
