Coexistence: Citizenship and Democracy in Dialogue

Abstract

This article will explore the constituting elements of Christian–Muslim coexistence and their impact on the ongoing discourse on obstacles facing citizenship and democracy in multireligious societies. Coexistence is a living concept that acquires its constituents from the challenges and opportunities of the dialogue of life. It opens new paths for the ongoing discourse about equality and democracy in states with diverse religious groups. It offers an opportunity to go beyond the duality of self and other or minorities and majorities and fosters a dialogical relationship that transcends the concept of vested interests to the common welfare. Moving from equality to partnership brings the added value of religious and confessional differences in the service of shaping a very genuine and renewed social contract based on the principles of equality, participation, and dignity. This article focuses on Lebanon since it has been always perceived as a natural laboratory for interfaith encounters because of the particular multi-confessional nature of the country.