Beirut is one of the most cosmopolitan and
religiously diverse cities of Lebanon and all of the Middle East. The city
boasts significant Christian and Muslim communities. There are nine major
religious groups in Beirut: Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic,
Armenian Apostolic, Armenian Catholic, Protestant, Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim
and Druze. Family matters such as marriage, divorce and inheritance are still
handled by the religious authorities representing a person's faith (the Ottoman
"millet" system). Calls for civil marriage are unanimously rejected
by the religious
