In Lebanon, where sectarianism remains dominant in all aspects of life, many citizens seek to remove their sect from the civil registry as a step toward freeing themselves from the sectarian system that governs the country. Although the law permits such a change, the reality shows that achieving it is far from simple. This was made evident in the experience of Ali, a resident of South Lebanon, who attempted to apply for the removal of his sect from his family civil record. While the procedure is meant to reinforce individuals’ right to freedom of belief, Ali faced significant challenges when he approached the mukhtar of his village.
“I went to the village mukhtar to inquire about the procedure for removing my sect from my civil record. We had a long conversation in which he tried to convince me not to go through with this choice, claiming it could jeopardize my career prospects,” Ali said. “He told me: ‘God willing, once the sectarian system of the country changes, you can do whatever you want.’ He refused to do what is legally my right under Lebanese law.” Ali, 30 years old, from the city of Tyre in South Lebanon, recounts.
The mukhtar, who at first was polite in rejecting Ali’s request, eventually expressed clear alarm at the idea of removing sect affiliation. Not only did he deny Ali’s request, but he also highlighted his fears of the consequences, warning Ali that he might lose job opportunities under the sectarian system, which distributes positions and chances based on religious affiliation. This interaction reflects the challenges faced by many Lebanese who attempt to break free from the sectarian restrictions imposed on them.
Sectarianism forms a core element of Lebanon’s political landscape, having inflicted heavy losses on the Lebanese people due to its negative consequences on multiple levels. Often, sectarian belonging outweighs individuals’ sense of national identity, deepening divisions and undermining national unity.
Removing sect affiliation is considered a right for all Lebanese citizens, according to both the constitution and the law, as well as the commitments outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Legislation and Consultation Committee at the Ministry of Justice unanimously affirmed this right among judges, leading the ministry to approve that sect affiliation should not be recorded in the civil registry.
The Ministry of Interior has also committed to implementing this right by allowing either the removal or correction of sect affiliation, marking the sect field in registries with a slash (/) when necessary.
Removing sect affiliation is considered a right for all Lebanese citizens, according to both the constitution and the law, as well as Lebanon’s international commitments.
In an interview with Sila Wasl platform, Wissam Burji, mukhtar of Ali Al-Nahri in Central Beqaa, Zahle, stressed that removing sect from the civil registry should be compulsory and binding. He added: “A person’s belief is a private matter that concerns only them. We also witness various types of discrimination faced by our youth abroad because of their sect. In addition, as mukhtars we deal with hundreds of cases of people intending to marry partners from different sects, who are forced to register their marriage in courts of a sect not their own or to adopt their partner’s sect to formalize the marriage. This constitutes a form of disrespect for the beliefs of couples who do not care about changing sects but wish to unite in the name of love.”
Mukhtar Wissam also explained that, due to certain political considerations, some object to sect removal requests because jobs are allocated by quota to each sect under the principle of ensuring representation. Yet, he argued, the real criterion should be an individual’s competence and ability to perform work professionally.
He further pointed out that removing sect affiliation cancels out the political hiring practices that political parties exploit under the guise of sectarian representation, using them as a means to pressure citizens.
He added that identity should express belonging to the nation, not to a religious sect. Within this framework, sectarian identity becomes meaningless.
Required Procedures and Documents for Sect Deregistration
The deregistration procedure is a legal step carried out administratively by submitting a request to “remove the reference to sect from the civil registry” at the civil status office in the district center. This results in eliminating the mention of sect from its designated field and obtaining an amended civil record extract, where a slash ( / ) is placed in the sect field.
To issue a new record after removing the reference to sect, the following procedures and documents are required:
1- A correction request, also known as the deregistration request.
2- The Ministry of Interior’s circular outlining the approved procedures.
3- A request for an individual civil record extract to obtain the necessary information.
4- A copy of the identity card, along with two recent passport-sized photos.
Dr. Nizar Abu Jouda, lecturer at the Lebanese University specializing in social psychology, noted that removing sect affiliation is only a partial measure. What matters more is removing sectarianism from hearts and minds first, which requires a comprehensive revival encompassing education, schools, universities, and media solidarity in this regard. This, he said, would lead to broad awareness on intellectual, cognitive, and psychological levels.
He explained: “The problem will not be solved simply by removing sect from the civil registry. As long as a person’s name is tied to a particular sect, removing it from their record won’t prevent others from identifying their sect from their name.”
Abu Jouda stressed that while removing sect affiliation is a partial step and acceptable, it is not a fundamental solution. The solution must occur at the state level.
Challenges Facing Sectarian Deregistration
Sectarian registration in Lebanon represents a major obstacle to achieving equality and social justice. Despite growing momentum to end it, there remain significant challenges that often force those who deregister to return to sectarian registration. The most prominent challenges are as follows:
1- Existing legislation: Continued application of religious laws instead of civil ones, which deprives deregistered individuals of their civil rights.
2- Lack of legal protection: No law protects the rights of those who remove their sect affiliation, as sects derive their strength and authority from the sectarian system, which often overrides state authority. As a result, individuals are left vulnerable once outside this system. In Lebanon, protection often comes from the “sect,” not the “law,” which strengthens sectarian power at the expense of state authority.
3- The electoral system: Elections remain bound by sectarian affiliations, preventing equal political participation among all citizens. This contradicts the Taif Agreement, which stipulated that the first elections after its signing should be free of sectarian constraints.
4- Fear of political consequences: Many Lebanese fear that removing sect affiliation could negatively affect their political and economic standing. The sectarian system directly influences the distribution of power and state positions, so any change is seen as a threat to personal interests.
5- Restrictions on public employment: Those who deregister are excluded from employment in the public sector, where jobs are distributed based on sectarian quotas.
6- Marriage barrier: Removing sect affiliation creates obstacles in completing marriage procedures, as personal status laws are tied to religious sects.
7- Inheritance deprivation: Deregistered individuals face difficulties in accessing inheritance, which is distributed according to sect-specific religious laws.
8- Religious resistance: Individuals who remove their sect affiliation face strong opposition from religious leaders, who view this act as abandoning the sect. Such individuals are often considered as defying traditional belonging, and in some cases even denounced.
9- Social pressure: Sectarian communities impose significant pressure, viewing those who try to leave sectarian frameworks as rebels or disloyal. This often leads to social isolation or marginalization.
10- Cultural identity: Sectarian identity is deeply tied to Lebanese culture and traditions. Thus, removing sect affiliation is often perceived as a threat to the heritage and culture of different sects, leading many to resist such change.
Outcomes of Sectarian Challenges: Between Deregistration and Reversal
Because of these serious challenges, the number of people who dare to deregister their sect affiliation remains extremely limited. Over time, more and more individuals retract their decision and request the reinstatement of their sect in official records. They are often forced into this reversal in order to preserve essential rights such as public employment, inheritance, marriage, and other vital entitlements that are heavily tied to sectarian affiliation.
This reversal reflects a state of deep frustration, as deregistration was for many a symbolic step toward freeing themselves from sectarian constraints and affirming their belonging to the nation as a whole, beyond sectarian identities.
