03 April 2008

JBEIL: The prevalent display of religious symbols among Lebanese people stems from identity problems, a number of sociologists and psychologists argue. "Religious symbols in Lebanon are a sign of difference. A Lebanese citizen does not exist if he does not belong to a certain group," said Marwan Rowayheb, a sociology and political science lecturer at the Lebanese American University.

Religion dictates the Lebanese political system and in addition, the socialization process emphasizes religion along with other elements.

Rana, a 22-year-old Muslim, said she aims to advertise her religion with her fashion choice.

"I wear an ayah [verse] from the Koran as a pendant to show people that I am Muslim," she said. Elie, a 17-year-old Christian, said: "I am proud to be Christian, and I want everyone to know that."

Sociology and psychology consider religious symbols a way of declaring identity.

"People who wear religious symbols are trying to define who they are," said Diala Ammar, a psychology lecturer at the Lebanese American University. "Symbols dictate to people which attitude to have, what to say and what not to."

However, displaying identity is not the only reason behind wearing religious symbols.

"They are common in Lebanon and the Middle East more than any other region in the world because the three major monotheistic religions which are Judaism, Christianity and Islam, arose in the region," said Father Charbel Zakaria, a Maronite priest. "Security and esthetic reasons also stand behind the display of religious symbols," he added.

While Ahmad, a 24-year-old Muslim said: "I wear the God pendant to feel secure," Mira, a 25-year-old Christian said: "I wear the cross only when it goes with my clothes."

Father Zakaria said wearing religious symbols should not create a threat to people from other religions.

"If I am truly living my Christianity, I should accept others whatever religion they belong to. So do real Muslims," he said.

The Higher Islamic Shiite Council echoed his point of view. "The use of Islamic symbols is not supposed to create any threat or problem for non-Muslims because the symbol is directly related to the user himself," said Sheikh Ali Shamseddine, director of the First Martyr Institute for Islamic Studies.

On the other hand, psychology has a completely different point of view.

"Symbols could absolutely be a threat to people from other religions since Lebanese society is sensitive to religious issues," said Ammar.

"Another negative consequence religious symbols could create is stereotyping," she said. "Each woman who wears the hijab may be mistakenly considered to be closed-minded and each person who wears a cross may be thought to be religious.

"Do we need a symbol to be religious? Not at all," said Ammar. "But symbols make people from the same religion relate automatically to each others, which could unfortunately lead to pre-judgment and stereotyping."

"To end potential problems, changing Lebanese society starts by banning all religious symbols," said Rowayheb.

However, he acknowledged that this solution would not be at all a peaceful one; so he suggests civil marriage as the first and most important step towards secularism and financial support of public/secular schools as a second step.

On the other hand, Ammar said she thinks that to avoid all kinds of threats, symbols should not be worn at work, for example, or any other public area.

Mirna, a Muslim, said that she has stayed away from problems for years.

"I only wear the God pendant because God is common for the three monotheistic religions," she said. "I prefer not to wear any other symbol because I do not like to cause problems with people who do not respect all religions."

Anthony, a Christian, wears a cross but keeps it for himself. "I always wear my cross pendant to feel secure but I never show it because I think religion and beliefs are private matters," he said.

Lebanon, a country with 18 different sects, has passed through several bloody wars and conflicts based on political and religious reasons. The bloody 15-year Civil War affected the Lebanese people deeply.

Karen, a 20-year-old Christian college student, traveled to Tunis for an internship. The first advice she heard from her parents was not to wear her cross.

"I stubbornly refused. I insisted on wearing my cross for two main reasons," said Karen. "First, I wanted to feel secure when I am far from my homeland and second I think that I am free to have my own beliefs. I am proud to be Christian and I am not afraid of showing it."

Copyright The Daily Star 2008.