Lebanon

Why has secularism faced such challenges in the Middle East and in Lebanon in particular? In light of dominating headlines about the spread of sectarianism and the so-called death of Arab secularism Mark Farha addresses the need for a thorough examination of the history of secular thought and practice in the region. By offering a comprehensive systematic account of the underlying ideological socio-economic and political factors involved Farha provides a new understanding of the historical roots of secularism as well as the potential causes for the continued resistance a fully deconfessionalized state faces both in Lebanon and in the region at large. Drawing on a vast corpus of primary and secondary sources to examine the varying political parties and ideologies involved this book provides a fresh approach to the study of religion and politics in the Arab world and beyond.