Lebanon's Sunni community comprises roughly one-third of the nation's total population. They are dispersed across the entire country — from the far north to the far south. While this offers certain advantages, it also hinders the communal cohesion seen among other sects in Lebanon.
Furthermore, the social diversity within urban and rural locales exacerbates internal divisions among Sunnis, hindering the establishment of comprehensive leadership except in some instances, including figures like Riad Solh and Rafik Hariri.
Al Majalla highlights milestones of Sunni leadership since the establishment of the Greater Lebanon State in 1920.
• 1920
The Sunni Mufti, Sheikh Mustafa Naja, took part in the proclamation ceremony of Greater Lebanon at the headquarters of the French occupation in Beirut. However, Sheikh Naja maintained his title as the Grand Mufti of Beirut — an honour bestowed upon him by the Ottoman Sultan — rejecting any appointment as the Mufti of Lebanon.
General Henri Gouraud, the French High Commissioner, ousted the young Mufti of Tripoli, Abdul Hamid Karami, for supporting the Arab state cause. Gouraud subsequently appointed a replacement in Karami's place.
• 1926
The Makassed Philanthropic Islamic Association rejects the Lebanese constitution proposed by the French mandate, abstaining from involvement in its formulation.
• 1933
The Sons of the Coast Conference in Damascus, presided over by Abdul Hamid Karami, express opposition to Lebanon's separation and advocated staying unified with Syria.
• 1936
The Coast and Four Districts Conference convenes at the residence of leader Ali Salim Salam in Beirut and affirms its commitment to Syrian unity.
• 1936
Lebanese politician Kazem Al-Solh dissented from the resolutions of the Coast Conference, articulating his opposition in an article titled "The Problem of Connection and Separation in Lebanon." This article was acknowledged as a cornerstone of the "National Pact," a pivotal development that facilitated Muslim engagement in the Lebanese entity.
• 1943
11 November: Dozens were killed as Senegalese soldiers suppressed protests led by young Tripoli residents demanding independence.
• 1943
22 November: Lebanon gains its independence. Bechara El Khoury becomes Lebanon's first president, while Riad al-Solh is appointed prime minister.
The pronouncement from the Solh government stood as the singular written manifestation of the "National Pact," offering reassurances to the Christian population regarding Lebanon's autonomy and affirming to the broader Arab community that Lebanon would not serve as a conduit for colonial interests.
